Charter a Cessna Citation I

The Cessna Citation I is the original Citation - the aircraft that launched one of the most successful business jet families in aviation history. Developed by Cessna in the late 1960s and certified in 1971, it became the world's most widely operated light jet and established the Citation name that underpins the entire family from the Citation Bravo to the Citation X. The straight-wing design delivers predictable, forgiving flight characteristics and short-field performance that swept-wing competitors cannot match, making the Citation I accessible from a wider range of UK regional airfields than most light jets. Cruise speed is 662 km/h and range is 2,459 km (1,328 nm).

The 4.27 m cabin accommodates up to 6 passengers in pedestal swivel seats with a hot and cold beverage area, a well-equipped minibar, a toilet and a roomy luggage compartment. The Citation I's original design philosophy of "form and function" produced a cabin that fits the essentials for business travel without unnecessary complexity. For two to four passengers on UK domestic and short European routes where the budget is the primary constraint and a light jet cabin is the requirement, the Citation I remains one of the most economical charter options available. Charter prices start from approximately £1,800 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Citation I?

• The original Citation - the world's most popular light jet family origin. It launched a programme that became the world's most widely operated business jet family. The simplicity and reliability of the original design are the reasons the Citation name has remained in continuous production for over five decades. For clients who value a thoroughly proven, well-understood aircraft, the Citation I is the most mature light jet platform available in charter;
• Pedestal swivel seats - a distinctive cabin feature. This aircraft uses pedestal swivel seats rather than conventional fixed-track seating. These rotate to face any direction, allowing easier boarding, departure from the seat and conversation between passengers in different rows. For six passengers in a 4.27 m cabin, the swivel function adds a meaningful degree of comfort and flexibility;
• Short-field straight-wing performance. The Citation I's straight-wing design provides access to shorter runways than swept-wing light jets and virtually all midsize jets. UK regional airfields that are not accessible to more modern light jets are available, significantly reducing ground transfer time on domestic missions to non-hub airports;
• Minibar, toilet and luggage compartment as standard. Despite its compact 4.27 m cabin, the Citation I includes a hot and cold beverage area, a well-equipped minibar, an installed toilet and a roomy separate luggage compartment. The essentials for business travel are present in a platform that charters at some of the lowest light jet rates available;
• Most economical light jet charter rate. At approximately £1,800 per flight hour, the Citation I offers the light jet cabin experience - pressurised, fast relative to turboprops, private terminal access - at rates competitive with premium turboprop options. For price-sensitive clients who require a jet cabin, it is the most accessible entry point;
• Excellent and forgiving flight characteristics. The Citation I is noted for its predictable handling, which contributes to operational reliability and consistency across a wide range of pilot experience levels. The type's forgiving characteristics reduce the likelihood of weather or handling-related delays that affect more demanding aircraft.

Charter cost - Citation I prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £1,800 to £2,200 - the lowest in the light jet category and competitive with premium turboprops. For two to four passengers on UK domestic and short European missions, the Citation I provides the private jet experience at the most accessible price point in fixed-wing business aviation.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Edinburgh - from £2,800 (5 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £3,200 (5 passengers, approximately 55 minutes);
• London to Amsterdam - from £3,600 (5 passengers, approximately 1 hour);
• London to Geneva - from £4,400 (5 passengers, approximately 1 hour 30 minutes);
• London to Dublin - from £3,400 (5 passengers, approximately 1 hour 10 minutes);
• Manchester to Nice - from £5,600 (5 passengers, approximately 2 hours);
• London to Frankfurt - from £4,600 (5 passengers, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes).

Empty Leg flights appear regularly on UK and European routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Citation I

It is best matched to missions where the budget is the primary constraint, the group is two to five passengers and the destination is within the UK or Western Europe:

• UK domestic (45 to 90 minutes). London to Edinburgh, London to Belfast, Manchester to Aberdeen - the Citation I covers UK domestic sectors at jet speed for the lowest available light jet rate. Short-field access to regional airfields that more modern jets cannot use is a genuine operational advantage on domestic routes where the destination airport is a smaller strip;
• UK to near-Europe (1 to 1.5 hours). Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Dublin and Frankfurt are all within comfortable range. For two to four passengers on a same-day European business trip, the Citation I provides the private terminal, schedule flexibility and jet speed at rates that compare favourably against business class for a small group;
• UK to Central Europe (1.5 to 2 hours). Geneva, Zurich, Munich and Vienna are within the Citation I's 2,459 km range from UK airports. These sectors are well-suited to the cabin and performance level of the type;
• Price-sensitive clients requiring jet cabin. For clients who want the private jet experience - private terminal, no queues, schedule flexibility, pressurised cabin - but for whom the Citation Bravo or Phenom 300 rate is a stretch, the Citation I is the practical alternative. The cabin is compact but complete with minibar, toilet and swivel seats;
• Regional airfield missions. Where the meeting location is served by a small regional airfield with a short runway, the Citation I's straight-wing characteristics provide access that the Citation Bravo and most modern light jets cannot match.

Cabin and in-flight experience

This aircraft cabin measures 4.27 m long, 1.49 m wide and 1.46 m high. Six passengers sit in pedestal swivel seats - a design feature that distinguishes the Citation I from most competing light jets where seats are fixed on conventional tracks. The swivel function allows each seat to rotate to face forward, aft or toward the centre of the aircraft, improving the flexibility of seating arrangements for different group configurations.

The cabin includes a hot and cold beverage area, a well-equipped minibar, an installed toilet and a separate roomy luggage compartment. The design philosophy at launch was "form and function" - producing a cabin that provides the essentials without unnecessary weight or complexity. The pressurised interior maintains comfort at up to 12,495 m (41,000 ft).

• Seating. 6 passengers in pedestal swivel seats;
• Beverage. Hot and cold beverage area;
• Bar. Well-equipped minibar;
• Toilet. Installed toilet;
• Luggage. Roomy separate luggage compartment;
• Design. Straight-wing for short-field and forgiving handling;
• Altitude. 12,495 m (41,000 ft) maximum certified altitude.

Technical specifications

Citation I vs similar aircraft

• Citation I vs Citation Bravo. The Bravo is faster (745 km/h vs 662 km/h), has more range (3,232 km vs 2,459 km) and carries 7 passengers versus 6. Charter rates for the Bravo run approximately 20 to 30% higher. For clients where the Citation I's range and speed are sufficient on UK and near-European routes, the lower rate makes it the practical choice. For longer European sectors or where the extra speed matters, the Citation Bravo is preferable;
• Citation I vs King Air 350. The King Air 350 is a turboprop with with more passenger capacity (9-15) and similar range but cruises at approximately 520 km/h versus the Citation I's 662 km/h jet speed. Charter rates are broadly comparable. For 5 to 6 passengers where jet cabin and speed are required, this is the appropriate choice. For larger groups on budget who can accept turboprop speed, the King Air 350 has capacity advantage;
• Citation I vs Phenom 100. The Phenom 100 is a VLJ (VLJ) with a shorter cabin, 4 passengers and lower charter rates (from £1,400/hr). For clients who need 5 to 6 passengers and minibar, toilet and swivel seat configuration, the Citation I provides more capacity and equipment. For 3 to 4 passengers where the Phenom 100's lower rate is the priority, the VLJ is the more economical option.

Frequently asked questions - Citation I charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation I?
Charter rates run from approximately £1,800 to £2,200 per flight hour - the most economical rate in the light jet category. London to Paris costs from £3,200 for 5 passengers. London to Edinburgh costs from £2,800. London to Geneva costs from £4,400. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised.

What makes the Citation I cabin different from other light jets?
The pedestal swivel seats. Unlike conventional fixed or track-mounted seats in most light jets, each Citation I seat rotates to face any direction - forward, aft or centre-facing. In a 4.27 m cabin with 6 passengers, this flexibility improves comfort and conversation between groups seated in different rows.

How many passengers can fly on a Cessna Citation I?
The maximum is 6 in the standard configuration, which is also the optimal layout. All six seats are pedestal swivel positions with full access to the hot and cold beverage area, minibar and aft toilet.

Does the Citation I access smaller UK regional airfields?
Yes - the straight-wing design provides short-field performance that most modern light jets and all midsize jets cannot match. Regional airfields with shorter runways that are unavailable to the Citation Bravo, Phenom 300 and other swept-wing aircraft are accessible, reducing ground transfer time significantly on domestic missions.

Is the Citation I a good charter aircraft today?
Yes - the design is proven across more than five decades of operation and the maintenance and parts network for the Citation family is among the most mature in business aviation. For UK domestic and short European missions with 4 to 6 passengers at the lowest available light jet rate, it remains a practical and well-regarded choice.