Cessna Citation XLS Gen2
Cessna's best-selling midsize jet family, with a dropped-aisle cabin for 8 or 9, a belted lavatory and about 1,750 nm of range.
- Passengers
- 6 to 9 (max 12)
- Range
- 1,750 nm
- Cruise
- 441 kts
- On charter in the US
- 283 aircraft
What is the Cessna Citation XLS Gen2?
The Cessna Citation XLS is a midsize jet that usually seats 8 or 9 passengers and flies about 1,750 nm non-stop. Cessna built it as the Excel from 1998, then as the XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen2, and delivered more than 1,000. The cabin has a dropped aisle with 5 ft 8 in of headroom and a belted lavatory at the back. The Citation Ascend replaced it in 2025.
A cabin 18 ft 6 in long and 5 ft 6 in wide, with 5 ft 8 in of headroom in the dropped aisle.
About 1,750 nm with 4 passengers at up to 441 kts, and up to 45,000 ft.
Takes off in about 3,600 ft, thanks to a straight wing.
More than 1,000 delivered since 1998. Textron calls it the best-selling midsize business jet family of the 21st century.
283 fly with 100 operators on the FAA Part 135 list, the largest Citation XLS charter fleet anywhere. Altivo Jets books them through these certified operators.
Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 specifications
Manufacturer and regulator figures for the Citation XLS, checked October 2026. Range assumes 4 passengers, NBAA IFR reserves, XLS Gen2 figure (Business Jet Traveler, 2022). Textron Aviation quotes a maximum range of 2,100 nm for the XLS Gen2.; real range depends on payload, winds and temperature.
| Specification | Citation XLS Cessna (Textron Aviation) |
|---|---|
| Performance | |
| Range | 1,750 nm (3,241 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 441 kts |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.752 |
| Maximum altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 3,600 ft |
| Landing distance | 3,180 ft |
| Cabin | |
| Typical charter seats | 6 to 9 |
| Maximum seats | 12 |
| Cabin length | 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) |
| Cabin width | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Cabin height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) in the dropped centre aisle |
| Baggage | 90 cu ft |
| Engines and weights | |
| Engines | 2 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C |
| Thrust per engine | 4,119 lbf |
| Maximum take-off weight | 20,200 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 6,740 lb |
| Price and ownership | |
| First delivered | 2022 |
| In production | No |
| New price | $15.5M (2022) |
| Pre-owned price | $6.5M to $8.4M |
| Operating cost per hour | $4,305 |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Sources:Aviation Week: Aircraft Overview, Textron Aviation Cessna Citation 560XL Series (2026)AvBuyer: Embraer Praetor 500 vs Cessna Citation XLS+, Mike Chase (Sep 2021)Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 560XL Citation Excel, XLS and XLS+ occurrencesBusiness Jet Traveler: Cessna XLS Gen2, Mark Huber (2022)Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 achieves FAA certification, begins deliveries (2022)CRAFT: Cessna Citation XLS ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)NTSB: Aviation accident final report ANC08LA059, Cessna 560XL N590AK, Port Heiden, Alaska, 30 April 2008Wikipedia: Cessna Citation ExcelGlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation XLS+ specifications and operating cost (2026)AVweb: Textron introduces Gen2 Citation M2, XLS (2021)
Fuel burn and CO2
The Citation XLS burns about 239 US gallons (724 kg) of jet fuel an hour, which puts out about 2.3 tonnes of CO2. Sustainable aviation fuel, where the departure airport has it, cuts the lifecycle figure.
| Flight | Fuel | CO2 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 flight hour | 720 kg | 2.3 tonnes |
| 3 flight hours | 2,170 kg | 6.9 tonnes |
| 8 flight hours | 5,790 kg | 18.3 tonnes |
Average block figures; real burn depends on weight, altitude and winds. Fuel at 0.8 kg per litre.
Sources:CRAFT: Cessna Citation XLS ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
Citation XLS interior and cabin layout
Most Citation XLS cabins seat 8 or 9. The usual layout has a two-place divan by the door, a club of four and two forward-facing seats, with a belted lavatory seat at the back that counts as the last passenger place. Some older aircraft swap the divan for a single side-facing seat and seat 8. The airframe is certified for 12, but no aircraft we found is set up that way. Every aircraft is fitted out by its owner, so we confirm the exact seat map and Wi-Fi with each quote. The layouts below come from listings and specification sheets of aircraft offered for sale.
Cabin layouts
- Two-place side-facing divan opposite the entry door
- Refreshment center across the aisle
- Four seats facing in pairs
- Two forward-facing seats
- Belted lavatory behind, certified for take-off and landing, the ninth passenger place
- One single seat facing the main entry door
- Forward galley with an ice drawer and two hot pots
- Four-place club
- Two forward-facing seats
- Lavatory behind pocket doors with a belted seat, the eighth passenger place
How big is the cabin?
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) in the dropped centre aisle tall and 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) wide: most adults stoop slightly in the aisle. The cabin runs 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m).
Drawn to scale from the height and width; the figure is 1.80 m tall.
Cabin size
18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) long, 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) wide and 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) in the dropped centre aisle tall.
Galley
A refreshment center at the front of the cabin, usually on the left by the entry door. It holds ice, hot drinks, snacks and catering trays, but there is no oven as standard. Some aircraft add a microwave. Business Jet Traveler describes it as room for snacks, sandwiches, ice, about 30 mini bottles and two bottles of wine.
Lavatories
One, at the back of the cabin, with a sink and a toilet that is serviced from outside, behind pocket doors. On most aircraft the toilet seat is belted and certified for take-off and landing, so it counts as a passenger seat.
Wi-Fi and connectivity
Varies by aircraft. Newer aircraft list Gogo Avance L3 air-to-ground Wi-Fi, and some older ones Gogo ATG4000. Many have an Iridium satellite phone. The XLS Gen2 adds a wireless cabin management system with a touchscreen moving map, wireless phone charging and USB ports at every seat. We confirm the system for your aircraft.
Baggage
About 90 cu ft in all. The main hold, about 80 cu ft, is in the tailcone and loaded from outside, so you cannot reach it in flight. About 10 cu ft more is inside the cabin. On the XLS Gen2 the forward divan can fold down to give more baggage space you can reach in flight.
Cabin updates
A dropped centre aisle gives 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) of headroom. The seats sit on raised ledges either side. Executive seats that slide, swivel and recline. Collins Pro Line 21 flight deck with four 8 by 10 in screens on the XLS+ and XLS Gen2. On the XLS Gen2, a lighted airstair door, an entry curtain and a quieter cabin. Climbs to 45,000 ft in about 30 minutes (XLS Gen2).
Sources:AircraftExchange: 2022 Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 S/N 560-6333, N553PK, listing (Oct 2026)Guardian Jet: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6041, N100U, specification sheet (Sep 2015)AircraftExchange: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6034, N634BE, listing (Oct 2026)
On board: what to expect
- ✕Stand-up cabin5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) in the dropped aisle only
- ✓Enclosed passenger lavatoryAt the back, behind pocket doors
- ✓Belted lavatory seatCounts as the last passenger seat
- ✓GalleyForward refreshment center, microwave on some aircraft
- ~Baggage reachable in flightMain hold is outside the cabin; small cabin stowage
- ~Wi-FiGogo air-to-ground on many US aircraft
- ~Satellite phoneIridium on many aircraft
- ~Side-facing divanTwo-place divan by the door on most aircraft
- ✕Flat floorDropped centre aisle
Fit-out varies by aircraft. We confirm every item for the aircraft on your quote.
Sources:Business Jet Traveler: Cessna XLS Gen2, Mark Huber (Nov 2022)Guardian Jet: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6041, N100U, specification sheet (Sep 2015)AircraftExchange: 2022 Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 S/N 560-6333, N553PK, listing (Oct 2026)AircraftExchange: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6034, N634BE, listing (Oct 2026)AvBuyer: Embraer Praetor 500 vs Cessna Citation XLS+, Mike Chase (Sep 2021)GlobalAir.com: 2024 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6357, N831GL, listing (Oct 2026)
How much does a Citation XLS cost?
A new Citation XLS listed at about $15.5 million in 2022. Production has ended, so most buyers look at pre-owned aircraft. Owning one also means paying to fly and maintain it, which is why most people who fly a few times a year charter instead.
Buy new
Typical new price for the 2022 Citation XLS Gen2, reported by Business Jet Traveler.
Buy pre-owned
Asking prices of the two publicly priced pre-owned Citation XLS+ aircraft on GlobalAir in October 2026: a 2009 aircraft at $6.5 million and a 2010 aircraft at $8.395 million. Most other listings are price on request. A 2022 XLS Gen2 was offered at $14.995 million. October 2026.
Cost to operate
GlobalAir.com Operating Cost Report (7 October 2026) for the Citation XLS+: total hourly cost (fixed plus variable) at 300 flight hours per year. Fuel burn about 239 US gallons an hour.
Sources:Business Jet Traveler: Cessna XLS Gen2, Mark Huber (2022)GlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation XLS+ aircraft for sale listings (Oct 2026)
Citation XLS charter cost per hour in the US (2026)
You pay for flight time, not the aircraft. Midsize jets like the Citation XLS charter at about $9.8k to $10.8k per flight hour; the quote adds positioning, crew overnights, airport charges and taxes for your exact trip.
Midsize jets, per flight hour
What moves the price
- Positioning: one-way trips usually pay for the empty flight home.
- Crew overnights and waiting days on multi-day trips.
- Airport and handling fees, plus federal excise tax.
- Empty legs can cut the price sharply when one matches your dates.
Charter or own?
Owning a Citation XLS costs about $629,000 a year before it flies (crew, hangar, insurance), plus about $4,300 for every flight hour. At the hours most owners fly, chartering costs less per hour, and you pay nothing when you do not fly.
| You fly | Owning (per hour) | Charter in the US (per hour) |
|---|---|---|
| 50 hours a year | $16,800 per hour | $9.8k to $10.8k per hour |
| 100 hours a year | $10,500 per hour | $9.8k to $10.8k per hour |
| 200 hours a year | $7,400 per hour | $9.8k to $10.8k per hour |
| 300 hours a year | $6,400 per hour | $9.8k to $10.8k per hour |
CRAFT operating cost model (October 2026): crew, training, hangar, insurance, management and other fixed costs a year, plus fuel at 239 US gal an hour, maintenance, engine reserves and fees per flight hour, for a US-based Citation XLS flying 200 hours a year with fuel at $7.66 a US gal. Excludes buying the aircraft and depreciation. Charter rates are before taxes, positioning and airport charges.
Sources:CRAFT: Cessna Citation XLS ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
Citation XLS range: routes it flies non-stop
With about 1,750 nm of range, the Citation XLS crosses the US coast to coast and reaches Europe without a fuel stop. Popular US routes:
- Distance
- 1,316 nm
- Flight time
- 3h 13m
- Indicative one-way price
- $32k to $35k
- Distance
- 949 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 25m
- Indicative one-way price
- $24k to $26k
- Distance
- 949 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 25m
- Indicative one-way price
- $24k to $26k
- Distance
- 902 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 18m
- Indicative one-way price
- $23k to $25k
- Distance
- 821 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 07m
- Indicative one-way price
- $21k to $23k
- Distance
- 812 nm
- Flight time
- 2h 06m
- Indicative one-way price
- $21k to $23k
- Distance
- 643 nm
- Flight time
- 1h 44m
- Indicative one-way price
- $17k to $19k
- Distance
- 634 nm
- Flight time
- 1h 43m
- Indicative one-way price
- $17k to $19k
Flight time at long-range cruise plus taxi and climb. Price is flight time at the hourly rates above, before taxes, positioning and airport charges.
Where the Citation XLS can land
A midsize jet with a straight wing, built to use shorter runways than the Citation III it grew from.
Runway needed
About 3,560 ft to take off at maximum weight at sea level on a standard day for the XLS+, and about 2,740 ft to land at maximum landing weight. Textron quotes 3,600 ft to take off for the XLS Gen2. Hot or high airports need more.
Shorter runways than its parent
The Excel's straight wing let it use runways of about 3,600 ft, where the Citation III, whose cabin cross-section it shares, needs about 5,000 ft.
Sources:Jetcraft: Citation XLS+ overview, 2008 to present (Feb 2019)Business Jet Traveler: Cessna XLS Gen2, Mark Huber (Nov 2022)
Tell us the route and dates. We check every Citation XLS available in the US and reply with an all-in price, around the clock.
Who operates the Citation XLS in the US?
Citation XLS operators in the United States
And 40 more US operators.
Altivo Jets is a broker: we ask these operators for availability and price on your dates and book the aircraft with the licensed operator named on your quote.
Every Citation XLS on charter in the US
283 on the charter list in the US. We ask the operator for the exact cabin, seats and photos of the aircraft on your quote.
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
- Seats
- Not listed
- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Operator
- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Exclusive Jets
- Base
- Kinston, North Carolina
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
- Operator
- NetJets Aviation
- Base
- Columbus, Ohio
- Year built
- Not listed
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- Not listed
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- NetJets Aviation
- Base
- Columbus, Ohio
- Year built
- Not listed
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- NetJets Aviation
- Base
- Columbus, Ohio
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- NetJets Aviation
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- Columbus, Ohio
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- NetJets Aviation
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- Columbus, Ohio
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- NetJets Aviation
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- Columbus, Ohio
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- NetJets Aviation
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- Columbus, Ohio
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- NetJets Aviation
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- Columbus, Ohio
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- Base
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Excel, XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen2
Citation Excel
FAA certified on 22 April 1998. It joined a shortened Citation X cabin to a Citation V wing and tail, and had three CRT screens in the cockpit and Pratt & Whitney PW545 engines. Cessna delivered 308 from 1998 to 2002.
Citation XLS
FAA certified on 22 March 2004. It added a Honeywell Primus 1000 glass cockpit, uprated PW545B engines and 200 lb more gross weight, so it no longer had to step climb to 45,000 ft. Business Jet Traveler counts 329 built.
Citation XLS+
FAA certified on 30 May 2008. It brought Collins Pro Line 21 with four 8 by 10 in screens, PW545C engines of 4,119 lbf with FADEC, a longer nose like the Citation Sovereign's, carbon brakes, wider seats, LED lighting and an 800 hour inspection interval, up from 600.
Citation XLS Gen2
Announced on 11 October 2021 and FAA certified in 2022, with first deliveries in May 2022. Same cabin size and engines. Adds a lighted airstair, an entry curtain, a quieter cabin, new seats, a fold-down forward divan, a wireless cabin management system and USB ports at every seat, with more payload. Typical new price was $15.5 million. The Citation Ascend, certified on 5 November 2025, replaced it.
Citation XLS+ vs Praetor 500
- Cabin: the XLS+ cabin is 18.5 ft long, 5.5 ft wide and 5.7 ft tall, with 461 cu ft of volume. The Praetor 500 is 20.6 ft by 6.8 ft by 6.0 ft, with 705 cu ft and a flat floor.
- Baggage: the XLS+ has 10 cu ft inside and 80 cu ft outside. The Praetor 500 has 40 cu ft inside and 110 cu ft outside.
- Range: with 4 passengers AvBuyer gives 1,853 nm for the XLS+ against 3,250 nm for the Praetor 500.
- Speed: the Praetor 500 is faster, with a long range cruise of 426 kts against 353 kts.
- Seats and cost: the XLS+ usually seats 9 against 7 in the Praetor 500. It burns 196 US gal an hour against 241 and costs $1,142 an hour in variable costs against $1,206, in AvBuyer's figures.
Sources:Wikipedia: Cessna Citation ExcelAvBuyer: Embraer Praetor 500 vs Cessna Citation XLS+, Mike Chase (Sep 2021)
How the official lists write it: CE-560-560XL · CE-560-560XLS · CE-560-560XLS+ · CE-500-560XL · CE-560-560XL Ascend · CESSNA CITATION 560XL EXCEL · CESSNA CITATION 560XL · Cessna Citation 560XL · CESSNA CITATION 560 XL · Cessna Citation 560XLS+.
Citation XLS vs Praetor 500, Learjet 60XR, Hawker 800XP and other midsize jets
The jets people weigh against the Citation XLS, side by side from the same verified data.
| Specification | Citation XLS Cessna (Textron Aviation) | Praetor 500 Embraer | Learjet 60XR Bombardier (Learjet) | Hawker 800XP Raytheon Aircraft (Hawker Beechcraft; now supported by Textron Aviation) | PC-24 Pilatus |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Performance | |||||
| Range | 1,750 nm (3,241 km) | 3,340 nm (6,186 km) (best) | 2,292 nm (4,245 km) | 2,470 nm (4,574 km) | 2,000 nm (3,704 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 441 kts | 466 kts | 466 kts | 447 kts | 440 kts |
| Long-range cruise | Not published | Not published | 426 kts (best) | 402 kts | Not published |
| Maximum speed | Mach 0.752 | Mach 0.83 (best) | Mach 0.81 | Not published | Mach 0.74 |
| Maximum altitude | 45,000 ft | 45,000 ft | 51,000 ft (best) | 41,000 ft | 45,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 3,600 ft | 4,222 ft | 5,450 ft | 5,032 ft | 3,090 ft (best) |
| Landing distance | 3,180 ft | 2,086 ft (best) | 3,049 ft | 2,245 ft | 2,410 ft |
| Cabin | |||||
| Typical charter seats | 6 to 9 (best) | 7 | 7 | 8 | 6 to 8 |
| Maximum seats | 12 (best) | 9 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| Beds (typical layout) | Not published | 2 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Cabin zones | Not published | 3 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Cabin length | 18 ft 6 in (5.64 m) | 24 ft 0 in (7.32 m), main seating area (best) | 17 ft 8 in (5.38 m) | 21 ft 4 in (6.50 m) | 23 ft (7.01 m) |
| Cabin width | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) (best) | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Cabin height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) in the dropped centre aisle | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) (best) | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m) |
| Cabin volume | Not published | Not published | 447 cu ft | 551 cu ft (best) | 501 cu ft |
| Baggage | 90 cu ft | 150 cu ft, reachable in flight (best) | 48 cu ft | 48 cu ft, reachable in flight | 90 cu ft, reachable in flight |
| Cabin altitude | Not published | 5,800 ft at 45,000 ft | Not published | 7,500 ft at 41,000 ft | 8,000 ft at 45,000 ft |
| Price and ownership | |||||
| First delivered | 2022 | 2019 | 1993 | 1995 | 2018 |
| In production | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| New price | $15.5M (2022) | $18.4M (2025) | $13.7M (2012) | $12.9M (2005) | $11.9M (2024) |
| Pre-owned price | $6.5M to $8.4M | Not published | $2.5M to $3.7M | $2.1M to $2.5M | $9.8M to $12.5M |
| Operating cost per hour | $4,305 | $5,998 | $7,211 | $5,221 | $3,631 |
| Charter fleet | |||||
| On the US charter list | 283 aircraft (best) | 116 aircraft | 114 aircraft | 151 aircraft | 49 aircraft |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Citation XLS vs Praetor 500
The Praetor 500 flies 1,590 nm further, has a wider cabin (6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)) and is faster at high-speed cruise.
Citation XLS vs Learjet 60XR
The Learjet 60XR flies 542 nm further, has a wider cabin (5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)) and is faster at high-speed cruise.
Citation XLS vs Hawker 800XP
The Hawker 800XP flies 720 nm further and has a wider cabin (6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)).
Compare any two jets
Smaller or bigger than the Citation XLS
Citation XLS safety record
Events from official investigations. We also check the record of the exact aircraft and operator before we book.
April 2008
A Citation Excel (N590AK) veered off a gravel runway on landing at Port Heiden, Alaska, in a crosswind. The left main gear collapsed. All six on board were unhurt. The NTSB found the pilot did not keep directional control, with the crosswind as a factor.
August 2014
A Citation XLS+ (PR-AFA) crashed into a residential area near Santos, Brazil, during a missed approach in poor weather, killing all seven on board, including presidential candidate Eduardo Campos. Brazil's CENIPA found the crew flew off the published approach, probably became spatially disoriented and may have been fatigued. The cockpit voice recorder had not worked since January 2013. No engine or system failure was found.
July 2021
A Citation Excel (N46CF) landed 30 to 40 kts fast at Reading, Pennsylvania, and ran off the end into the arresting bed. All six on board were unhurt. The NTSB found the captain continued an unstable approach despite three go-around calls from the other pilot.
1998 to 2026
The Aviation Safety Network keeps the full list of Citation Excel, XLS and XLS+ accidents and incidents.
Sources:NTSB: Aviation accident final report ANC08LA059, Cessna 560XL N590AK, Port Heiden, Alaska, 30 April 2008CENIPA: Final Report A-134/CENIPA/2014, Cessna 560XLS+ PR-AFA, Santos, 13 August 2014 (Feb 2016)NTSB: Aviation accident final report ERA21LA296, Cessna 560XL N46CF, Reading, Pennsylvania, 21 July 2021Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 560XL Citation Excel, XLS and XLS+ occurrences
Citation XLS photos
Other midsize jets on charter in the US
Cessna Citation Latitude
260 on charter in the US with 23 operators
Embraer Praetor 500 / Legacy 450
116 on charter in the US with 5 operators
Cessna Citation Sovereign
79 on charter in the US with 43 operators
Cessna Citation III / VI / VII
47 on charter in the US with 22 operators
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Questions, answered
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Ask a specialistHow much does a Cessna Citation XLS cost?+
A new XLS Gen2 cost about $15.5 million in 2022, and AvBuyer put a new XLS+ at $14.64 million in 2021. In October 2026 a 2009 XLS+ was offered at $6.5 million and a 2010 at $8.4 million, and a 2022 XLS Gen2 at just under $15 million. Running one costs about $629,000 a year in fixed costs plus about $4,260 per flight hour.
How many passengers does a Citation XLS seat?+
Usually 8 or 9, counting a belted lavatory seat. The common layout has a two-place divan, a club of four and two forward-facing seats. The airframe is certified for 12, but cabins are not set up that way. We confirm the seat map of your aircraft with the quote.
How far can a Citation XLS fly?+
About 1,750 nm with 4 passengers and NBAA IFR reserves, the XLS Gen2 figure. Textron quotes a maximum range of 2,100 nm. AvBuyer gives 1,853 nm for the XLS+ with 4 passengers. Range drops with more passengers and baggage, so we check each route against the aircraft's real payload.
How fast is the Citation XLS?+
Its top cruise speed is 441 kts and its limit is Mach 0.752. It can fly as high as 45,000 ft, and the XLS Gen2 climbs there in about 30 minutes.
Does the Citation XLS have a bathroom, and can you stand up?+
Yes. There is an enclosed lavatory at the back with a sink and a toilet serviced from outside. On most aircraft the seat is belted, so it can be used for take-off. The dropped aisle gives 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) of headroom, so shorter adults can stand there, but not at the seats.
What is the difference between the Excel, XLS, XLS+ and XLS Gen2?+
They share one airframe and cabin. The Excel came first in 1998. The XLS of 2004 added a glass cockpit and stronger engines. The XLS+ of 2008 added Collins Pro Line 21, FADEC engines and a longer nose. The XLS Gen2 of 2022 kept that and refreshed the cabin with new seats, a wireless cabin system, USB ports and a quieter interior.
Is the Citation XLS still made?+
No. The XLS Gen2 was the last version. Textron replaced it with the Citation Ascend, which the FAA certified on 5 November 2025. More than 1,000 aircraft of the family were delivered, so many operators still fly one.
Who operates the Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 in the US?+
100 FAA Part 135 operators fly 283 of them. The largest fleets: Exclusive Jets (32), NetJets Aviation (32), Jet Linx Aviation (20), Vista America (10) and Corporate Flight Management (8).
How much does it cost to charter a Citation XLS?+
About $9.8k to $10.8k per flight hour, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges. A one-way trip is priced on flight hours plus the aircraft's return positioning, so ask for a quote on your dates.
Where these numbers come from
Specifications come from manufacturer factsheets and regulator type certificate data sheets first, then aviation press and market data. Fleet counts come from the FAA Part 135 operator list (9 November 2026). Figures were checked in October 2026. This profile was last reviewed on 25 October 2026.
- Aviation Week: Aircraft Overview, Textron Aviation Cessna Citation 560XL Series (2026)
- AvBuyer: Embraer Praetor 500 vs Cessna Citation XLS+, Mike Chase (Sep 2021)
- Aviation Safety Network: Cessna 560XL Citation Excel, XLS and XLS+ occurrences
- Business Jet Traveler: Cessna XLS Gen2, Mark Huber (2022)
- Textron Aviation news release: Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 achieves FAA certification, begins deliveries (2022)
- CRAFT: Cessna Citation XLS ownership and operating costs (Oct 2026)
- NTSB: Aviation accident final report ANC08LA059, Cessna 560XL N590AK, Port Heiden, Alaska, 30 April 2008
- Wikipedia: Cessna Citation Excel
- GlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation XLS+ specifications and operating cost (2026)
- AVweb: Textron introduces Gen2 Citation M2, XLS (2021)
- CENIPA: Final Report A-134/CENIPA/2014, Cessna 560XLS+ PR-AFA, Santos, 13 August 2014 (Feb 2016)
- NTSB: Aviation accident final report ERA21LA296, Cessna 560XL N46CF, Reading, Pennsylvania, 21 July 2021
- AircraftExchange: 2022 Cessna Citation XLS Gen2 S/N 560-6333, N553PK, listing (Oct 2026)
- Jetcraft: Citation XLS+ overview, 2008 to present (Feb 2019)
- GlobalAir.com: Cessna Citation XLS+ aircraft for sale listings (Oct 2026)
- Guardian Jet: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6041, N100U, specification sheet (Sep 2015)
- AircraftExchange: 2009 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6034, N634BE, listing (Oct 2026)
- GlobalAir.com: 2024 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6357, N831GL, listing (Oct 2026)
- VanAllen: 2012 Cessna Citation XLS+ S/N 560-6120, N224JW, sales sheet (Apr 2021)
- AIN: Textron Aviation's Citation Ascend gets FAA nod (2025)
Empty legs on the Citation XLS.
Cities where the Citation XLS often flies empty to its next trip. The whole aircraft, for less than a full charter.
Empty leg flights from BostonEmpty leg flights from DenverEmpty leg flights from DetroitEmpty leg flights from Fort WorthEmpty leg flights from Kansas CityEmpty leg flights from MiamiEmpty leg flights from NaplesEmpty leg flights from New YorkAll empty legs →
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