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Citation XLS Midsize Jet Specifications and Charter Rates

The Citation XLS is a standout in the midsize jet category, combining exceptional versatility, comfort, and performance for discerning travelers. With seating for up to eight passengers, it delivers a seamless blend of luxury and practicality, cruising at 450 knots and covering nearly 2,300 nautical miles on a single flight. Its sophisticated engineering, spacious cabin, and refined amenities have made it a favorite among business executives and leisure flyers alike.


Whether you’re flying point-to-point for a meeting or escaping for a weekend retreat, the Citation XLS offers a refined travel experience that’s both efficient and indulgent. On this page, you’ll find details on its specifications, cabin features, performance range, estimated charter rates, and the key questions private flyers ask before booking.

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Citation XLS Overview

The Citation XLS defines the midsize jet experience with an ideal balance of cabin comfort, performance, and efficiency. Accommodating eight passengers in a spacious layout, it delivers a quiet, smooth ride at cruising altitudes of up to 41,000 feet. Twin Pratt & Whitney PW545B engines offer exceptional reliability and efficiency, allowing the XLS to reach distant destinations with ease while maintaining low operating costs.


What truly sets the XLS apart is its ability to access shorter runways and smaller airports, expanding your options beyond major hubs. The jet’s intelligent design maximizes both passenger comfort and luggage capacity, while its advanced avionics and flight deck features ensure every journey is as safe as it is enjoyable.


For charter clients, the result is a jet that’s ready for both quick business hops and longer regional journeys, offering a premium travel experience with the flexibility and value that today’s private flyers demand.

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Citation XLS 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 2288 nautical miles (around 2633 statute miles)

High-speed cruise:

450 knots (about 518 mph)

Long-range cruise:

Approximately 415 knots

Service ceiling:

41000 fee

Engines:

Two Pratt & Whitney PW545B turbofans

Thrust:

Roughly 3952 lbf per engine

Takeoff distance:

About 5490 feet

Landing distance:

About 4738 feet

Average fuel burn:

Around 239 gallons per hour

Baggage capacity:

Approximately 80 cubic feet

First delivered:

Early 2000s

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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 XLS Range and Performance

With a maximum range of about 2,288 nautical miles, the Citation XLS is perfect for nonstop trips such as Houston to New York, Chicago to Miami, or London to Athens. Its impressive performance keeps regional and many cross-country routes within easy reach while ensuring a comfortable, efficient flight. | The XLS’s high-speed cruise of 450 knots ensures quick travel times, while the ability to operate from runways as short as 3,560 feet opens up more airports and private terminals. The aircraft’s advanced avionics and proven engines provide excellent reliability, making it an ideal choice for both business and leisure travelers who value time and flexibility. | Passengers enjoy a high cruising altitude of 41,000 feet, providing a smooth ride above most weather and commercial traffic. The XLS strikes a perfect balance of speed, range, and versatility, making it a leading option in the midsize jet segment for those who demand premium results.

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Citation XLS Cabin Experience and Interior

The Citation XLS boasts a spacious, stand-up cabin with nearly six feet of width, allowing passengers to move freely and enjoy the journey in total comfort. The executive double-club seating configuration accommodates eight guests in plush, leather-upholstered seats, each with fold-out tables and generous legroom. | Large windows flood the cabin with natural light, creating an inviting atmosphere ideal for productivity or relaxation. An aft private lavatory and a refreshment center add to the convenience, while generous baggage capacity ensures all your essentials travel with you. | With advanced climate control, whisper-quiet soundproofing, and modern entertainment options, the cabin experience on the XLS rivals that of much larger jets. Refined finishes, in-flight connectivity, and thoughtful details make every trip an indulgence, whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure.

Citation XLS Charter Cost and Hourly Rates

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Chartering a Citation XLS 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 XLS 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 XLS?

The Citation XLS 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

The Citation XLS is ideal for groups of four to eight travelers seeking a premium private jet experience for regional and medium-range flights. It delivers the space and amenities of a larger aircraft with the efficiency and access benefits of a midsize jet, making it a top pick for those who want style, comfort, and value on every journey.

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How the Citation XLS Compares to Other Midsize Jet

The Citation XLS is part of Cessna’s renowned Citation family, a line that has defined business aviation excellence since the 1970s. Introduced in the early 2000s, the XLS built on the success of its predecessor, the Citation Excel, offering updated avionics, increased range, and enhanced cabin comfort.


Its blend of midsize jet performance and light jet operating economics quickly made it one of the most popular private jets ever produced. Over the years, continuous refinements have kept the XLS at the forefront of the charter market, with a global fleet that underscores its reliability and broad appeal.


Today, the Citation XLS remains the benchmark of the midsize class, trusted by operators worldwide for its comfort, performance, and value. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Cessna’s commitment to innovation and passenger satisfaction at every level of private aviation.

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Citation XLS History and Background

The Citation XLS is part of Cessna’s renowned Citation family, a line that has defined business aviation excellence since the 1970s. Introduced in the early 2000s, the XLS built on the success of its predecessor, the Citation Excel, offering updated avionics, increased range, and enhanced cabin comfort.


Its blend of midsize jet performance and light jet operating economics quickly made it one of the most popular private jets ever produced. Over the years, continuous refinements have kept the XLS at the forefront of the charter market, with a global fleet that underscores its reliability and broad appeal.


Today, the Citation XLS remains the benchmark of the midsize class, trusted by operators worldwide for its comfort, performance, and value. Its enduring popularity is a testament to Cessna’s commitment to innovation and passenger satisfaction at every level of private aviation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Passengers Can the Citation XLS Carry?

The Citation XLS seats up to eight passengers in a spacious executive layout, with the flexibility to accommodate a ninth in some configurations. The standard double-club arrangement is ideal for both business discussions and family travel, offering a refined blend of comfort and versatility.

What Is the Range of the Citation XLS?

The Citation XLS has a range of approximately 2288 nautical miles, or roughly 2633 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 XLS Fly?

Its high-speed cruise is 450 knots (about 518 mph), with a long-range cruise near 415 knots. The aircraft's 41000-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 XLS?

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 XLS Have a Stand-up Cabin?

Yes. The XLS features a stand-up cabin nearly six feet wide with generous headroom, allowing passengers to move comfortably throughout the flight. It also includes a private aft lavatory and an exceptionally large baggage hold of around 80 cubic feet.

Is the Citation XLS Good for Transcontinental Flights?

For most regional and many coast-to-coast U.S. flights, the Citation XLS provides nonstop capability. On longer routes, a brief technical stop may be required, which is typical for midsize jets and adds only minimal time to the overall journey.

Jettly gives you access to a global marketplace of more than 23,000 aircraft, including Citation XLS 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 XLS, 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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