Citation XLS Review: Why It's the Most Popular Midsize Charter Jet

Overview

The Cessna Citation XLS is the bestselling business jet in history by total deliveries. First introduced in 2004 as an evolution of the Citation Excel, and further refined as the XLS+ in 2008, this midsize jet from Textron Aviation has become the backbone of charter fleets worldwide. It is not the fastest, not the longest-range, and not the most luxurious aircraft in its class — but it is the most practical, and in the charter business, practicality wins.

The XLS occupies a sweet spot that explains its dominance: large enough to seat 8–9 passengers comfortably with a stand-up cabin, efficient enough to operate profitably on 1–3 hour routes, and reliable enough that operators trust it for high-utilization charter schedules. There are more XLS and XLS+ aircraft available for charter in North America and Europe than any other single model.

Performance

The Citation XLS+ is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines, each producing 4,119 pounds of thrust. Maximum cruise speed is 441 knots (Mach 0.75), and the aircraft has a maximum range of 2,100 nautical miles with four passengers. With a full load of 8–9 passengers, range drops to approximately 1,800 nm, which still covers routes like New York to Miami, London to Geneva, or Los Angeles to Denver nonstop.

The aircraft certifies for a maximum altitude of 45,000 feet and requires just 3,560 feet of runway for takeoff — an exceptionally short figure for its class. This short-field performance opens access to hundreds of smaller airports that larger jets cannot use, giving charter passengers the ability to land closer to their final destination. Maximum takeoff weight is 20,200 pounds.

Fuel consumption averages approximately 185 gallons per hour, making the XLS one of the most fuel-efficient midsize jets available. This directly translates to lower charter costs for passengers.

Cabin Experience

The XLS+ cabin measures 18 feet 6 inches long, 5 feet 6 inches wide, and 5 feet 8 inches tall. The stand-up height of 5 feet 8 inches means most passengers can walk through the cabin upright, which is not possible in many light jets and some competing midsize models. Typical charter configuration seats 8 passengers in a club-four arrangement (two pairs of facing seats) plus additional seating, with a belted lavatory seat in the aft.

The cabin is not as wide as a super-midsize jet, but Cessna's interior designers made excellent use of the available space. Seats are arranged in a double-club layout with a flat floor, fold-out work tables, power outlets at every seat, and LED lighting. The baggage compartment holds approximately 90 cubic feet of luggage — enough for 8 passengers with carry-on and checked bags on a weekend trip.

In-flight catering capabilities are limited compared to larger aircraft — there is no full galley — but the refreshment center handles light meals, snacks, and beverages adequately for flights under 3 hours.

Charter Costs

The Citation XLS is one of the most cost-effective midsize charter options available. Hourly rates typically range from $3,800 to $5,500, with significant variation based on operator, region, and whether the flight is a one-way or round trip. Popular one-way charter prices: New York to Miami from $18,000 to $25,000, London to Paris from $12,000 to $16,000, Los Angeles to Las Vegas from $8,000 to $12,000.

The low operating cost per hour is a key reason the XLS dominates charter fleets. Operators can offer competitive pricing while maintaining healthy margins, which keeps the aircraft in high-utilization service rather than sitting idle in hangars. For passengers, this means better availability and more options when booking short-notice charters.

Who It's For

The Citation XLS is the ideal charter aircraft for domestic and short international trips with groups of 4 to 8 passengers. It excels on routes under 3 hours: business day trips, weekend getaways, sports events, and regional shuttles. The short-field capability makes it particularly valuable for passengers accessing smaller airports — Aspen, Nantucket, Teterboro, and St. Barts are all within its operating envelope.

If you are traveling solo or as a couple and want to minimize cost, a light jet like the Phenom 300 may be a better fit. If you need a flat floor, a full galley, or more than 3 hours of range with a full cabin, step up to a super-midsize like the Challenger 350. But for the core charter mission — get a group of executives from City A to City B in 2 hours with bags and a comfortable cabin — the XLS is purpose-built.

Compare on VOLO

Want to see how the Citation XLS stacks up against the Learjet 60, Hawker 800XP, or Citation Sovereign? Use VOLO's aircraft comparison tool to compare cabin size, range, speed, and estimated charter costs side by side across our full catalog of 199 jet models. Finding the right midsize jet for your mission takes minutes, not hours.