Review: Delta Private Jets Citation X Los Angeles To Scottsdale, AZ

Delta Private Jets, now partnering with Wheels Up, provides membership and on-demand private jet travel. With a fleet of over 70 jets, a wide variety of seating options are available. I had the chance to fly a Citation X from Los Angeles (LAX) to Scottsdale, Arizona (SCF). Here’s my review.

Delta Private Jets Review – Cessna Citation X

I’m not in the business of chartering jets. Instead, my friend Nancy has a membership that allows her to fly on empty leg repositioning flights when a private jet needs to go from one location to another to facilitate a charter flight. In this case, the aircraft had to travel to Scottsdale and she graciously invited me and my three-year-old son Augustine along for the ride.

I reviewed the Signature Flight Support Terminal at LAX earlier. The beauty of flying private is the ease in which you can show up, park without hassle, walk in, and board your flight. There is no security and it doesn’t matter if your flight departs a few minutes early or a few minutes past schedule.

The only security check was that my ID was verified. Augustine’s ID was not checked, though I had his passport along just in case.

In case you are wondering, I did wear a mask in the terminal, even though there were very few other people and plenty of space between us. Delta suggests you wear a mask onboard and the flight crew wore masks. Augustine cannot keep a mask on…

We walked from the terminal to the aircraft, a journey that included frequent stops so Augustine could ask, “What’s this airplane, daddy?” He was particularly intrigued by a cargo MD-11.

We boarded the aircraft and stepped onboard what would be Augustine’s first private jet flight. He was excited but I think I was more excited.

Delta Private Jets
Los Angeles (LAX) – Scottsdale (SCF)
Friday, May 29
Depart: 4:00 PM
Arrive: 5:18 PM
Duration: 01hr, 18min
Distance: 375 miles
Aircraft: Cessna Citation X

Onboard, the flight crew welcomed us and the captain performed a brief safety briefing. He also offered us bottles of Fiji water and invited us to help ourselves in-flight. No other food or drinks were available onboard, though we could have self-catered.

The flight was smooth and quick. Internet was available once we leveled off.

Citation X Seating

Seating onboard the Citation X is configured for eight passengers, with a pair of quartet seating and large fold-down tray tables between seats.

I was curious to see how Augustine would handle the flight. Would he just sit still and look out the window like when we fly commercial or want to roam around? He did a little of each, through he seemed most fascinated by the safety card and the (disconnected) telephone.

I only noticed a single power port available. Window shades were controlled by button.

Citation X Lavatory

The onboard lavatory is much like the Challenger 300, with a lift-up seat and sink. The toilet serves as an extra seat, if necessary.

Flight Deck

One my favorite things about flying private is the flight deck access, specifically being able to stand over the pilots and look out the front windows…

Pictures From Flight

Here are some pictures form the flight:

Yeah, not much to see between Los Angeles and Scottsdale…

We landed early in Scottsdale. I’ll review the private terminal in my next installment.

CONCLUSION

What a fun experience this was. Augustine and I both enjoyed being on an airplane after months of quarantine. But flying private was an even more special treat. A huge thanks to Nancy for her generosity in arranging this ride.

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