The Westwind I is an Israeli Aircraft Industries super light jet with a cabin that seats seven to ten passengers, more than most aircraft in its class, and a range that covers the standard Mexico leisure and corporate routes without a stop. Mexico Jet Charter quotes it most often when a larger group needs super light pricing.
Israeli Aircraft Industries built the Westwind I as a twin-engine business jet with two Garrett TFE731 engines, a low wing and a pressurized cabin configured for seven to ten passengers. Cruise is 390 knots, range is 1,840 nautical miles. Every Westwind I we arrange flies with an operator certificated under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Super Light Jet
- Manufacturer: Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI)
- Year introduced: 1976-1987
- Seating: 7 to 10
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,840 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 390 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 52.3 feet
- Wingspan: 44.4 feet
- Height: 15.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 49 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Westwind I Fits Mexico
Ten seats is the headline number in the Mexico market. Most super light jets top out at eight or nine; the Westwind I stretches that to ten, which on a corporate group flight from Texas into Monterrey or a family trip into Cancun occasionally means one aircraft instead of two. That arithmetic changes the rate meaningfully and it is why the aircraft stays on quote lists despite its age.
At 390 knots the Westwind I is the slowest aircraft in the super light category, and that trade is worth naming honestly. On a one-hour Texas-to-Monterrey run the difference from a 464-knot Learjet is a rounding error. On a two-and-a-half-hour Mexico City run it accumulates into visible block time, and for clients whose schedule is tight, a faster aircraft is a cleaner recommendation.
The Israeli Aviation Industries origin and the aircraft’s production era, ranging through the late 1970s and 1980s, mean this is a category where operator selection and safety record carry special weight. We look at the operator’s incident history and confirm crew currency on the type before any Westwind I goes on a Mexico 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 Westwind I run $3,500 to $4,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Westwind I quotes at the lower end of the Mexico super light band despite its ten-seat capacity, and for a large group on a short Mexico route it regularly beats the per-seat cost of smaller aircraft in the category.
Other Super Light Jets Available
The full super light jets category page lists every super light jet we arrange for Mexico departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Westwind I 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.