The Citation V is a stretched, more powerful development of the Citation II, and in the Mexico market it occupies the practical middle of the light-jet category. Seven or eight seats and 1,750 nautical miles of range cover the primary US-to-Mexico corridors comfortably, and Mexico charter clients find the cabin more generous than the price suggests.
Cessna built the Citation V from 1989 on a lengthened Citation II fuselage with more powerful Pratt and Whitney JT15D-5A engines. Cruise is 397 knots, seating is seven to eight, and the cabin gained a full row over the aircraft it replaced. Every Cessna Citation V 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: 1989-1994
- Seating: 7 to 8
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,750 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 397 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 48.9 feet
- Wingspan: 54.1 feet
- Height: 15.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 67 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Cessna Citation V Fits Mexico
The 1,750-nautical-mile range covers the standard Mexico leisure and corporate routes without a stop from most US departure cities. Houston to Cancun, Dallas to Los Cabos, Miami to Cancun, and the Texas-to-Monterrey corridor all sit well inside the envelope. Mexico City via Toluca from the US Midwest is the one to plan carefully, because Toluca’s 8,460-foot elevation affects departure performance and the operator provides actual numbers before we confirm.
Seven or eight seats with luggage is the practical specification. A group of six or seven headed into Puerto Vallarta for a Pacific coast trip, or a team of six flying into Guadalajara on a tech-sector visit, fits without a separate bag discussion. Puerto Vallarta International sits at 23 feet of elevation, so density altitude is not a factor there.
The Citation V is a 1989-era airframe, so operator vetting is the primary variable on any Mexico trip. We confirm the operator’s safety and incident history and that the crew are current on the type before the aircraft goes on a quote.
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 V run $3,300 to $4,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Citation V sits mid-band for Mexico light jets, and for seven to eight passengers on a two-hour-or-less sector it usually offers the best cabin-per-dollar in the category.
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 V 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.