Charter a Cessna Citation II

The Cessna Citation II is the aircraft that changed the private jet industry. When it debuted, competitors were building increasingly heavy, complex and difficult aircraft. Cessna went the opposite direction: simple systems, simple manufacturing, dramatically lower operating costs. The result was the Citation II selling 1,000 aircraft in its first four years on the market - a pace that had no precedent in light jet aviation - and remaining in production for sixteen years, making it Cessna's best-selling private jet at the time. Business and Commercial Aviation magazine called its cockpit "the best general aviation cockpit" of the era, citing 340-degree visibility and straightforward controls for fuel and de-icing. The Citation II can be configured for single-pilot operation, reducing operating costs further and giving flight departments greater scheduling flexibility.

The Citation II is certified to FAR Part 25 airworthiness standards - the same mandatory standards applied to large commercial airliners including the Boeing 747. Despite, or because of, this design philosophy, it carries 8 passengers up to 3,169 km (1,712 nm) at 713 km/h. The straight-wing design reduces susceptibility to strong gust roll and improves the lift-to-angle-of-attack ratio for easy takeoff and landing - characteristics that make the Citation II accessible from shorter runways than most swept-wing light jets. Charter prices start from approximately £2,000 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Citation II?

• 1,000 sold in four years - the aircraft that changed the industry. Its commercial success was the proof of its design philosophy. Simplicity, lower operating costs and straightforward systems turned out to be exactly what the market wanted. The 1,000-aircraft milestone in four years had no parallel in light jet aviation and directly influenced how every subsequent manufacturer approached the market;
• FAR Part 25 certification - airline airworthiness standards. The Citation II is certified to FAR Part 25, the same mandatory airworthiness standards applied to large commercial airliners such as the Boeing 747. For operators and passengers who specifically want this level of structural and systems certification in a light jet, the Citation II is one of very few aircraft in its class to carry it;
• Single-pilot certified - scheduling and cost flexibility. It can be configured for single-pilot operation, reducing crew costs and giving flight departments greater flexibility in scheduling. Many charter operators fly it single-pilot, which contributes to the Citation II's position as one of the more economical light jets in its range class;
• 340-degree cockpit visibility - "the best general aviation cockpit." Business and Commercial Aviation magazine's assessment of the Citation II cockpit was a reference point in the industry. The 340-degree visibility, combined with simple controls for fuel and de-icing, made it popular with pilots and contributed to its operational reliability record. A well-liked cockpit is a reliable cockpit;
• Straight-wing handling for short-field access. The straight wing reduces susceptibility to gust-induced roll and improves takeoff and landing characteristics. The Citation II accesses shorter runways than most swept-wing light jets, including regional UK airfields that are unavailable to more modern light jets in the same price category;
• Up to 8 passengers - the highest in the light jet category at this rate. The Citation II carries up to 8 passengers in a 4.72 m cabin, making it one of the highest-capacity light jets available at charter rates from £2,000 per hour. For groups of 6 to 8 on UK and European missions where a midsize jet rate is beyond budget, it provides the closest approach to midsize capacity at light jet economics.

Charter cost - Citation II prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £2,000 to £2,400 - above the Citation I, reflecting the larger 8-passenger capacity and greater range, and below the Citation Bravo. For groups of 6 to 8 passengers on European missions, the Citation II's per-seat economics are among the strongest in the light jet category.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Edinburgh - from £3,000 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £3,600 (7 passengers, approximately 55 minutes);
• London to Amsterdam - from £4,000 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour);
• London to Geneva - from £4,800 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes);
• London to Madrid - from £7,600 (7 passengers, approximately 2 hours 10 minutes);
• Manchester to Nice - from £6,000 (7 passengers, approximately 2 hours);
• London to Frankfurt - from £5,000 (7 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 II

It performs best on missions where the group is 5 to 8 passengers, the destination is within 3,169 km and the light jet rate is a hard requirement over the midsize category:

• UK domestic (45 to 90 minutes) with larger groups. London to Edinburgh, London to Belfast, Manchester to Aberdeen - for groups of 6 to 8 on UK domestic routes, the Citation II provides more capacity than most light jets at the same rate. Short-field access means regional UK airfields are available, reducing ground transfer time on domestic missions;
• UK to Western Europe (1 to 2 hours) for groups of 6 to 8. Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, Zurich and Dublin are all within range. For a group of 7 or 8 on a European business trip, the Citation II's per-seat economics at £2,000 per hour compare very favourably against both business class travel and midsize jet charter;
• UK to Southern Europe (2 to 3 hours). Geneva, Nice, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Lisbon are within the 3,169 km range from UK airports. For groups of 6 to 8 needing to reach Southern European destinations at light jet rates, the Citation II's range and capacity cover the requirement;
• Single-pilot economy missions. For operators and flight departments where single-pilot operation reduces costs and the Citation II's certified capability enables it, this is a meaningful operational distinction versus twin-pilot-only light jets in the same category;
• Regional airfield access for larger groups. The straight-wing short-field capability combined with 8-passenger capacity creates a specific use case: a large group needing to reach a destination served by a shorter regional airfield. Few light jets combine this capacity and runway performance at comparable charter rates.

Cabin and in-flight experience

This aircraft cabin measures 4.72 m long, 1.40 m wide and 1.45 m high. It accommodates up to 8 passengers - one of the highest capacities in the light jet category. The cabin reflects the same design philosophy applied to the aircraft as a whole: straightforward, efficient and focused on what passengers need rather than unnecessary complexity. Pratt and Whitney JT15D-4 engines provide 2,500 lb of thrust each and a climb rate of just over 3,000 feet per minute, delivering quick departure from congested airports.

The cockpit's 340-degree visibility and simple control layout - praised by Business and Commercial Aviation magazine - translate into operational consistency on short notice and variable weather missions. Single-pilot certification reduces crew requirements. The pressurised cabin maintains comfort at up to 13,105 m (43,000 ft).

• Capacity. Up to 8 passengers - among the highest in the light jet class;
• Certification. FAR Part 25 - airline-standard airworthiness;
• Pilot. Single-pilot certified;
• Engines. 2 x Pratt and Whitney JT15D-4 (2,500 lb thrust each);
• Climb rate. Just over 3,000 ft/min;
• Cockpit. 340-degree visibility; simple fuel and de-icing controls;
• Wing. Straight-wing for short-field and gust-resistance;
• Altitude. 13,105 m (43,000 ft) maximum certified.

Technical specifications

Citation II vs similar aircraft

• Citation II vs Citation Bravo. The Bravo is the direct successor with PW530A engines (versus JT15D-4), higher cruise speed (745 km/h vs 713 km/h) and more range (3,232 km vs 3,169 km). Charter rates for the Bravo run approximately 10 to 15% higher. For clients where the Citation II's range and speed are sufficient and the lower rate is the priority, it remains the more economical choice. The Bravo's PW530A engines give it a more modern powerplant;
• Citation II vs Citation I. The Citation I carries 6 passengers versus 8 here, has lower cruise speed (662 km/h vs 713 km/h) and less range (2,459 km vs 3,169 km). Charter rates for the Citation I run approximately 10 to 15% lower. For groups of 7 or 8 the Citation II is the necessary choice; for groups of up to 6 on shorter UK and near-European routes, the Citation I's lower rate is attractive;
• Citation II vs Phenom 300. The Phenom 300 has more cabin length (5.74 m vs 4.72 m), higher cruise speed (834 km/h vs 713 km/h) and carries 7 passengers in a more modern airframe. Charter rates for the Phenom 300 run approximately 15 to 25% higher. The Citation II counters with 8-passenger capacity and FAR Part 25 certification. For groups of 8 at light jet budget who can accept lower cruise speed, the Citation II is the practical option.

Frequently asked questions - Citation II charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation II?
Charter rates run from approximately £2,000 to £2,400 per flight hour. London to Geneva costs from £4,800 for 7 passengers. London to Edinburgh costs from £3,000. London to Paris costs from £3,600. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

What does FAR Part 25 certification mean on the Citation II?
FAR Part 25 is the US Federal Aviation Regulation airworthiness standard mandatory for large commercial airliners including the Boeing 747. The Citation II is certified to this standard, which sets structural, systems and safety requirements at the airline level rather than the lighter general aviation standards that apply to most light jets. It is one of very few aircraft in the light jet category to carry this certification.

Is the Citation II certified for single-pilot operation?
Yes - it can be configured for single-pilot operation, which reduces crew costs and gives charter operators more flexibility in scheduling. This is a distinction versus most competing light jets that require two-pilot crews, and contributes to the Citation II's position as one of the more economical light jets in its range class.

How many passengers can fly on a Citation II?
Up to 8 in the standard configuration - among the highest in the light jet category. The optimal layout for working travel is 6 passengers. At 8 passengers the Citation II provides midsize-class capacity at light jet charter rates.

Why did the Citation II sell 1,000 aircraft in four years?
It went against industry trends. When competitors were building heavier, more complex aircraft, Cessna simplified. Simple systems, straightforward manufacturing, lower operating costs and a straight-wing design that pilots found easy and rewarding to fly produced an aircraft that operators wanted to own and fly. The per-mile economics and cockpit quality were the specific reasons cited most frequently at the time.