The Citation II is the oldest and lowest-cost light jet regularly available on Mexico routes, and for short Texas-to-Monterrey or border-city sectors it still does the job it was built for. At 1,700 nautical miles of range it covers most of the common Mexico corridors, and its rate sits below every other jet in this category.
Cessna produced the Citation II from 1978 as a stretched, more powerful development of the original Citation. Two Pratt and Whitney JT15D-4 engines, seven or eight seats, 385 knots and 1,700 nautical miles of range. It is the slowest aircraft in this category by a clear margin. Every Cessna Citation II we arrange flies with an operator certificated 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 Mexico
Speed is the trade. A Houston-to-Toluca sector that a Learjet 35 covers in roughly two and a half hours takes the Citation II noticeably longer, and that gap doubles on a same-day return. Inside about 600 nautical miles, which covers Texas to Monterrey or Florida to Cancun at the short end, the difference is small enough that budget decides the conversation.
Older airframes operating into Mexico are where our vetting work matters most. Every Citation II we put forward flies with an operator holding a current FAR Part 135 certificate. We look at the operator’s safety and incident history and confirm the pilots are experienced and current on the type before any Mexico charter is arranged.
Mexico’s landing and customs permits apply to the aircraft and the operator regardless of the airframe’s age. Permits are applied for after a trip has been secured on the aircraft schedule, and the timeline is sometimes set by the local airport authorities. These logistics are the same for a Citation II as for any other aircraft we arrange.
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 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Citation II is normally the lowest hourly rate on any Mexico light-jet quote sheet, which on a short round trip into Monterrey or Cancun makes it the cheapest jet on the market for that work.
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 Mexico departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation II charter in or out of Mexico, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to 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.