Citation XLS
The Cessna Citation XLS is a midsize jet seating nine passengers in an 18.5-foot flat-floor cabin, 5.5 feet wide and 5.7 feet tall, with Wi-Fi, a full galley, and an enclosed lavatory. Range is 1,858 nautical miles at 441 knots with a 45,000-foot service ceiling. The XLS shares its Model 560XL type certificate with the Citation Excel, but differs in engines and speed: Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545B turbofans deliver 441 knots versus the Excel's 430, and the standard cabin configuration seats nine versus eight. Both variants have identical range and cabin dimensions.
The 45 US Part 135 aircraft spread across 33 operators, with Wheels Up Private Jets holding the largest single fleet at 6 aircraft. The remaining 27 operators each run one or two aircraft, producing 23 active empty legs across a range of routes. Empty leg prices run $3,000 to $25,900 depending on routing and distance. Charter rates for the XLS run approximately $4,000 to $4,800 per hour, slightly above the Citation Excel's rate reflecting the newer production window and more capable engines.
Used Citation XLS aircraft trade from $4.5 million to $7 million for 2004–2010 examples. The XLS+ (a further upgrade under the same type certificate) carries higher values; a new Citation XLS Gen2 listed around $15.5 million.
Specs at a glance
Interior & cabin
| Passengers | 9 |
| Cabin length | 18.5 ft |
| Cabin width | 5.5 ft |
| Cabin height | 5.7 ft |
| Baggage volume | 80 cu ft |
| Lavatory | Fully enclosed |
| Galley | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Available on most aircraft |
| Cabin floor | Flat, walk-around |
The cabin runs 5.7 ft tall — most passengers will crouch slightly when walking the aisle. A fully enclosed lavatory makes it workable for longer legs. Connectivity varies by tail — most operators in this fleet have at least one Wi-Fi-equipped aircraft, but confirm before booking if you need to work in the air.
Operator floor plans vary. Some Citation XLS cabins are configured with a divan that drops the headcount by one or two seats; confirm the layout with the operator before booking.
Range & performance
| Range | 1,858 nm |
| Max cruise | 441 ktas |
| Typical cruise | ~375 ktas |
| Service ceiling | 45,000 ft |
1,858 nm covers most US domestic missions. Coast-to-coast with one stop, transcontinental city pairs east of the Rockies non-stop.
Distances are real great-circle nautical miles from the selected hub. Angular positions are spaced for readability, not actual bearings. Range envelope assumes no wind and a full passenger load.
Charter cost per hour
Charter the Citation XLS at roughly $4,500–$7,500 per flight hour, depending on how far ahead you book. Midsize jets like this carry 7–9 passengers; the per-seat math improves sharply as you fill the cabin.
Rates are flight-hour pricing. Total cost depends on round-trip vs. one-way, positioning, fuel surcharges, and taxes (~15% on top of base). Run the math on your trip →
History
The Citation XLS entered the market in 2004 as a direct upgrade to the Citation Excel, which Cessna had produced since 1998. The XLS retained the same 560XL type certificate and airframe dimensions but substituted the PW545B engine for the Excel's PW545A, adding thrust, improving hot-and-high performance, and raising maximum cruise speed by 11 knots. Cessna delivered approximately 330 Citation XLS aircraft between 2004 and the introduction of the XLS+.
Cessna introduced the Citation XLS+ around 2008 with a further cabin update, revised avionics, and the PW545C engine. The XLS+ is a separate DB record covering that later production run. The 1,000th aircraft in the 560XL series (spanning Excel, XLS, and XLS+) was delivered on March 31, 2021. Production continues under Textron Aviation as the Citation XLS Gen2.
Ideal For
- Seven to nine passengers on routes up to 1,600nm where the XLS's flat floor and stand-up cabin match heavier jets at lower operating cost: New York to Miami (1,090nm), Dallas to Chicago (800nm), Los Angeles to Dallas (1,230nm)
- Charter customers cross-shopping the Citation Excel who need one additional seat or prefer the XLS's 11-knot speed advantage and more current production
- South Florida, Texas, and Midwest operations where the XLS fleet distribution and 23 active empty legs create solid availability
- Owner-operators who want the same flat-floor 560XL design as the Excel but with PW545B engines better suited to warm-climate departure airports
- Groups where the ninth seat matters: the XLS configuration allows a nine-seat standard layout versus the Excel's eight
Citation XLS vs Midsize Average
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Citation XLS and Citation Excel?
Both share the Model 560XL type certificate and identical cabin dimensions (18.5ft × 5.5ft × 5.7ft, flat floor). The XLS uses PW545B engines for 441 knots versus the Excel's PW545A at 430 knots. The XLS standard cabin seats nine passengers versus eight for the Excel. XLS production ran 2004 onward; Excel production ran 1998–2004. For charter purposes, the XLS is slightly faster and typically carries a higher hourly rate.
How much does it cost to charter a Citation XLS?
Charter rates run approximately $4,000 to $4,800 per hour. A two-hour New York to Miami flight typically totals $9,000 to $12,000 before taxes and positioning. Empty legs on the XLS list at $3,000 to $25,900 depending on routing and distance, with most domestic legs under 1,000nm in the $3,000–$8,000 range.
What is the difference between the Citation XLS and Citation XLS+?
The XLS+, produced from approximately 2008 onward, updated the cabin further and substituted the PW545C engine for the XLS's PW545B. All three variants (Excel, XLS, XLS+) share the 560XL type certificate. For charter purposes, performance differences between the XLS and XLS+ are minimal; the XLS+ typically offers a more current interior and avionics.
How does the Citation XLS compare to the Hawker 800XP?
The Citation XLS is faster (441 vs 412 ktas) and has a flat-floor cabin (the Hawker 800XP does not). The Hawker 800XP has a wider oval cross-section (6.0ft) versus the XLS at 5.5ft, giving the Hawker more shoulder room. Both seat eight to nine passengers. The XLS has 45 active Part 135 aircraft versus 99 for the Hawker 800XP, making the Hawker more available in the open charter market.
Can the Citation XLS fly coast to coast nonstop?
New York to Los Angeles (approximately 2,450nm) exceeds the XLS's 1,858nm range with a full load. A fuel stop is typical on that corridor. New York to Miami (1,090nm), Dallas to Los Angeles (1,230nm), and Chicago to Denver (900nm) all fall within range nonstop.
Available Empty Legs on Citation XLSs
Citation XLSs for Charter (45)
Where Citation XLSs actually fly
ADS-B-tracked flights from the trailing 90 days. Numbers cover aircraft on our charter database; private corporate fleets and operators using PIA registration are not in this count. Methodology →
Top routes
Busiest origins
| Naples (KAPF) | 68 |
| Kansas City (KMKC) | 64 |
| Dallas (KDAL) | 55 |
| Springfield (KSGF) | 42 |
| St Louis (KSUS) | 42 |
| Cedar Rapids (KCID) | 40 |
| Orlando (KORL) | 38 |
| Austin (KAUS) | 38 |
| Gary (KGYY) | 38 |
| Lincoln (KLNK) | 37 |
Most active operators
| Operator | Aircraft | Flights |
|---|---|---|
| Mach One Air Charters, Inc. | 2 | 270 |
| Jet Air Inc. | 2 | 232 |
| Jet 1 Charter, Inc. | 1 | 169 |
| DavisAir Inc. | 1 | 141 |
| Burgess Aircraft Management, LLC | 2 | 134 |
| Silverhawk Aviation, Inc. | 1 | 131 |
| Gary Jet Center, Inc. | 2 | 120 |
| LANIER FLIGHT EXPRESS LLC | 1 | 118 |
| ERIN AIR, INC. | 1 | 113 |
| Wheels Up Private Jets LLC | 3 | 112 |
Comparable aircraft
Same category, similar mission profile. The framing below summarizes how each one differs from the Citation XLS on the dimensions that matter most.