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Citation Excel Midsize Jet Specifications and Charter Rates

The Citation Excel is a versatile midsize jet that combines the spacious comfort of a larger aircraft with the efficiency and flexibility private flyers expect. With seating for up to nine passengers, a high-speed cruise of 430 knots, and an impressive range for its class, the Excel has been a staple on corporate and luxury charter routes since its introduction at the turn of the millennium.


Whether you need a jet for business travel between major hubs or a quick weekend escape with family and friends, the Citation Excel offers the perfect blend of comfort, performance, and value. Here you’ll find full specifications, cabin features, range maps, indicative charter rates, and answers to the most frequently asked questions from discerning travelers.

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Citation Excel Overview

The Citation Excel stands out as a midsize jet that brings together the best of comfort, range, and accessibility. Its flexible seating layout accommodates up to nine passengers in a refined, executive setting, while its ample baggage capacity is ideal for longer trips or group travel. Twin Pratt & Whitney engines power the aircraft to a 45,000-foot ceiling, enabling smooth, direct routing above commercial airspace and turbulent weather.


What sets the Excel apart is its ability to deliver light jet operating costs with a true midsize cabin experience. It’s favored for point-to-point travel where speed, convenience, and on-demand availability matter most, and its reliability keeps it at the top of the charter market. Pilots and operators appreciate its proven systems and dispatch dependability, making it a trusted solution for both business and leisure missions around the globe.


For guests, the Excel’s combination of fast climb, short runway performance, and spacious interior ensures a seamless journey, even into airports that larger jets can’t reach. It’s a premium choice for those who value time, comfort, and flexibility in every trip.

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Citation Excel Specifications

The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

Aircraft class:

Midsize Jet

Passenger capacity:

Up to 8 (typical), 9 maximum

Crew:

2 pilots

Range:

Approximately 1906 nautical miles (around 2194 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

430 knots (about 495 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 380 knots

Service ceiling:

45000 fee

Engines:

Two Pratt & Whitney PW545A turbofans

Thrust:

Roughly 3850 lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 3590 feet

Landing distance:

About 2909 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 250 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 80 cubic feet

First delivered:

Late 1990s

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The figures below summarize the performance and dimensions that matter most when you are matching an aircraft to a trip. They reflect typical configurations; exact numbers vary with weight, weather, and how a given aircraft is equipped.

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Citation Excel Range and Performance

The Citation Excel delivers a range of approximately 1,900 nautical miles, ideal for non-stop flights such as New York to Miami, Chicago to Dallas, or Los Angeles to Vancouver with reserves to spare. | Thanks to its efficient engines and aerodynamic design, the Excel achieves a high-speed cruise of 430 knots, ensuring timely arrivals and quick coast-to-coast positioning. Takeoff requirements of just under 3,600 feet allow it to operate from many secondary airports, bringing you closer to your final destination. | The aircraft’s ability to reach a 45,000-foot cruising altitude lets it soar above commercial traffic and weather, ensuring a comfortable, uninterrupted journey. Its reliable performance and balanced range make the Excel a favorite for medium-haul business and leisure trips alike.

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Citation Excel Cabin Experience and Interior

Step inside the Citation Excel, and you’ll find a true stand-up cabin with a height of nearly 5 feet 8 inches and a width of over 5 feet 6 inches, allowing guests to move freely and relax during flight. | The standard configuration features a double-club arrangement with plush executive seats, large windows that bathe the cabin in natural light, and a private aft lavatory for added convenience. | With advanced soundproofing, in-flight connectivity options, and ample baggage space—over 80 cubic feet—the Excel makes every journey productive and enjoyable. Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, the carefully appointed interior ensures that travel time is an extension of your lifestyle.

Citation Excel Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Citation Excel typically runs in the range of $3500 to $4500 per flight hour, though the figure you are quoted depends on several factors. Rates move with the route, the season, repositioning (or ferry) time, airport fees, crew costs, and how a specific aircraft is equipped. Peak travel periods and one-way trips that leave an aircraft far from its base tend to sit at the higher end, while round trips and flights that align with an operator's existing schedule can come in lower.

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It also helps to understand how charter pricing is structured. Most quotes are built around occupied flight hours plus those repositioning costs, landing and handling fees, taxes, and crew expenses. Because Jettly is a charter marketplace rather than an aircraft operator, you can compare live quotes from multiple FAA Part 135 and book the option that fits your route and budget.

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Empty-leg flights, the discounted repositioning trips that operators are keen to fill, can also bring the cost of a Citation Excel down significantly when the timing works in your favor. For an exact, current price on your specific trip, request a quote, and you will see real availability rather than an estimate.

Who Should Charter the Citation Excel?

The Citation Excel fits a wide set of missions, which is part of why it stays busy. It is a strong match for:

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Small executive teams traveling together to a meeting, site visit, or conference

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Regional and many transcontinental business trips that need to be completed in a single day

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Families or groups of up to eight heading to a vacation or event

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Travelers carrying bulkier baggage, such as golf clubs or ski gear

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Anyone who values flexible airport access and a stand-up cabin over the lowest possible price

While the Citation Excel is not designed for long-haul international or transoceanic flights, it excels for regional and medium-range missions. It’s perfectly suited for executive teams, families, or small groups seeking a premium cabin, fast travel times, and direct access to more airports than larger jets allow.

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How the Citation Excel Compares to Other Midsize Jet

The Citation Excel was introduced by Cessna in the late 1990s as a breakthrough in the midsize jet category, blending the best features of the Citation Ultra and Citation X. The Excel quickly earned its reputation as a workhorse of the charter fleet, thanks to its robust design, spacious cabin, and dependable performance.


One of the major innovations was the combination of a wide, stand-up cabin on a compact, efficient airframe, which appealed to both corporate and private flyers. Its advanced avionics, modern systems, and ease of maintenance made it a favorite among operators, ensuring high dispatch rates and reliability.


The ongoing popularity of the Excel led to the development of successors like the Citation XLS and XLS+, each refining the formula with upgraded cabins and avionics. Today, the Citation Excel remains a mainstay in private aviation, trusted worldwide for its blend of comfort, versatility, and proven value.

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Citation Excel History and Background

The Citation Excel was introduced by Cessna in the late 1990s as a breakthrough in the midsize jet category, blending the best features of the Citation Ultra and Citation X. The Excel quickly earned its reputation as a workhorse of the charter fleet, thanks to its robust design, spacious cabin, and dependable performance.


One of the major innovations was the combination of a wide, stand-up cabin on a compact, efficient airframe, which appealed to both corporate and private flyers. Its advanced avionics, modern systems, and ease of maintenance made it a favorite among operators, ensuring high dispatch rates and reliability.


The ongoing popularity of the Excel led to the development of successors like the Citation XLS and XLS+, each refining the formula with upgraded cabins and avionics. Today, the Citation Excel remains a mainstay in private aviation, trusted worldwide for its blend of comfort, versatility, and proven value.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Citation Excel Carry?

The Citation Excel typically seats eight passengers in a double-club layout, with some configurations allowing up to nine. Its spacious cabin and flexible seat arrangement are ideal for both executive groups and leisure travelers.

What Is the Range of the Citation Excel?

The Citation Excel has a range of approximately 1906 nautical miles, or roughly 2194 statute miles. That is enough to fly most regional routes and many transcontinental trips nonstop, with the longest coast-to-coast legs occasionally needing a brief fuel stop depending on winds and load.

How Fast Does the Citation Excel Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 430 knots (about 495 mph), with a long-range cruise near 380 knots. The aircraft's 45000-foot service ceiling lets it fly above most weather and traffic for a smoother, more direct trip.

How Much Does It Cost to Charter a Citation Excel?

Charter rates generally fall between roughly $3500 and $4500 per flight hour, depending on the route, season, repositioning, and fees. Because Jettly is a marketplace, you can compare live quotes from multiple Part 135 operators and book the best option for your trip; empty-leg flights can lower the cost further.

Does the Hawker Citation Excel Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes, the Citation Excel features a nearly 5 foot 8 inch high stand-up cabin, a private aft lavatory, and a generous 80 cubic feet baggage compartment—making it easy to move about and travel in comfort.

Is the Citation Excel Good for Transcontinental Flights?

For most regional and transcontinental U.S. routes, the Citation Excel provides non-stop service—city pairs like Los Angeles to Chicago or New York to Miami are easily within reach, though exceptionally long-range missions may require a technical stop.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Citation Excel jets operated by vetted FAA Part 135 Part 135 carriers. Compare live quotes, check real availability, and book with full concierge support, whether you are planning a single regional hop or a recurring travel schedule.

Enter your route and dates to get instant pricing on the Citation Excel, or speak with our team about empty-leg deals and membership options that can bring your cost per trip down even further.

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