Of all the jets that serve the Bahamas, very light jets cost the least per hour, and from South Florida the islands are well within their reach.
Cessna built the Citation CJ1 from 1999 to 2006. It seats 5 to 6 with a published range of 1,300 nautical miles and a cruise speed of 389 knots. The aircraft has a service ceiling of 41,000 feet, 51 cubic feet of baggage volume and a lavatory.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Very Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 1999-2006
- Seating: 5 to 6
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 1,300 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 389 knots
- Service ceiling: 41,000 feet
- Length: 42.6 feet
- Wingspan: 46.9 feet
- Height: 13.6 feet
- Baggage volume: 51 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Cessna Citation CJ1 Fits the Bahamas
With 1,300 nautical miles of published range, it can fly between Nassau and cities such as Orlando, Washington and Houston, allowing for reserves and routing. Winter and spring are the busiest seasons in the Bahamas, and the holidays book up first, so call early for those dates.
Smaller aircraft suit the Out Islands well, where many airports are small and most close at sunset, so we plan the arrival in daylight and the operator confirms the airport for the aircraft. The runway an aircraft needs is calculated by the operator for that day’s conditions, and we confirm it with the operator for your trip.
How Bahamas Clients Use the Cessna Citation CJ1
Pick this class when a couple wants jet speed for a weekend in the islands and the bigger cabins would be wasted on them. Some of these aircraft are certified to fly with one pilot, so ask your advisor how the one you are quoted is crewed.
Name the island, the head count and the gear (coolers, rods and dive tanks count), and your advisor will check this aircraft against the trip or put a better match in front of you.
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
- Estimated hourly rate: $2,800 to $3,800 (as of 10/2026)
Other Very Light Jets Available
- Cessna Citation M2
- Cessna Citation Mustang
- Cirrus Vision Jet SF50
- Eclipse 500
- Embraer Phenom 100
- Honda HA-420 HondaJet
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation CJ1 charter to or from the Bahamas, call an advisor at 1-888-987-5387, or send the trip through our contact page. You can read how we review operators and crews on our safety page, and compare other categories in the aircraft gallery.
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.