Very light jets suit the Bahamas trip that wants jet speed on the South Florida crossing without paying for cabin nobody will use. The Cessna Citation CJ1 is a practical fit for a small party crossing to the islands together.
Cessna (Textron Aviation) built the Cessna Citation CJ1 from 1999 to 2006. Every Cessna Citation CJ1 we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
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
It gives you jet speed on the Florida crossing while still working the shorter Bahamian runways without a long performance discussion.
Cabin space is modest, so it suits three or four passengers rather than a full group with luggage.
On the published 1,300 nautical miles of range, allowing for winds and reserves, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and St Maarten sit inside a nonstop leg from Nassau. Payload and weather on the day decide the real limit, and the operator runs those numbers before the trip is confirmed.
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; 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 Cessna Citation CJ1 run $2,800 to $3,800 per hour as of 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Very Light Jets Available
The full very light jets category page lists every very light jet we arrange for Bahamas trips.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation CJ1 charter to or from the Bahamas, 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.