The Westwind I is one of the older aircraft on the Los Angeles charter market and one of the more surprising ones. It carries seven to ten passengers on a light-jet hourly rate, which is a combination almost nothing else in this category offers.
Israel Aircraft Industries built the Westwind I from the Rockwell Jet Commander design, fitting Garrett TFE731 engines and tip tanks. Seven to ten seats, 390 knots and 1,840 nautical miles of range, with a cabin laid out for people rather than for speed records. Every Westwind I we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Super Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
- Year introduced: 1976-1987
- Seating: 7 to 10
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,840 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 390 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 52.3 feet
- Wingspan: 44.4 feet
- Height: 15.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 49 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Westwind I Fits Los Angeles
Ten seats at this price point is the headline, and it makes the Westwind a regular answer for Los Angeles group travel where the budget will not stretch to a midsize jet. A full cabin to Las Vegas, NV, Palm Springs or Los Cabos, Mexico is well inside what it does comfortably.
At 390 knots it is slow for the category, so anything past Denver or Dallas from Los Angeles turns into a long day. The value holds on the shorter western routes and erodes on the long ones.
Age is the thing to be straight about. These airframes are decades old, so the vetting matters more here than on a new Phenom. Every Westwind we offer flies with an operator holding a current FAR Part 135 certificate, and we review the operator’s safety and incident history and confirm the crew are current on the type before we recommend it.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Westwind I run $3,500 to $4,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Westwind I quotes near the top of the light-jet band rather than the super-light band, which for a Los Angeles group of eight or more is where it wins.
Other Super Light Jets Available
The full super light jets category page lists every super light jet we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Westwind I charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.