The Citation II is the least expensive jet most Palm Beach clients will be offered, and on short Florida and Bahamas legs it still makes sense. Seven or eight seats, 385 knots, and an hourly rate that a modern light jet cannot come near.
Cessna delivered the Model 550 Citation II from 1978, with Pratt and Whitney Canada JT15D-4 engines and a stretched Citation I fuselage. Seven to eight seats and roughly 1,700 nautical miles of range on paper, at about 385 knots, so it takes longer to get anywhere than anything newer in the class. Many airframes have been re-engined or re-equipped since, and condition varies a great deal between operators. Every Cessna Citation II we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 1978-1994
- Seating: 7 to 8
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,700 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 385 knots
- Service ceiling: 43,000 feet
- Length: 47.3 feet
- Wingspan: 52.2 feet
- Height: 15 feet
- Baggage volume: 77 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Cessna Citation II Fits Palm Beach
Short hops where speed is not worth paying for. KDJT to Nassau at roughly 175 nautical miles, Key West at roughly 155, Naples at roughly 95 or Orlando at roughly 125 come out close to the same block time as a newer light jet, because climb and descent take up most of the trip.
Off-season value. June through September is quiet in Palm Beach, and that is when a Citation II is easiest to book and cheapest to fly, for owners checking on a house or for contractors moving between South Florida and the Gulf Coast.
First-time charter clients. Plenty of Palm Beach families start on this type to see whether charter suits them. Because the airframes are old and vary so widely, we confirm the operator’s certification, review its safety and incident history, check that the pilots are qualified and current on the type, and look at ARGUS or Wyvern audit status where the operator takes part.
Gallery
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.
- 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 Cessna Citation II run $3,000 to $4,200 per hour as of 9/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Roughly $3,000 to $4,200 per hour as of 9/2026, the lowest jet rate in this market. Compare the total trip cost, not the hourly figure: a slower aircraft bills more hours on the same route.
Other Light Jets Available
- Beechjet 400A
- Cessna Citation Bravo
- Cessna Citation CJ2
- Cessna Citation CJ3
- Cessna Citation CJ4
- Cessna Citation Encore
The full light jets category page lists every light jet we arrange for Palm Beach departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation II charter from Palm Beach, FL, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or visit 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. All images copyrighted and provided courtesy of Cessna unless noted otherwise.