Aircraft guide
Cessna Citation XLS Charter Cost and Specs
Part of the Midsize Jet category. Browse all aircraft models.
At a glance
Seating, speed, range, and cost
Typical passengers
About seven to eight passengers.
Cruise speed
~440 kt
Planning range
~2800 nm
Hourly cost range
$3,900 to $6,200
Charter planning
How this type shows up on quotes
- The XLS is the midsize default on many domestic corridors—stand-up cabin at a rate below super midsize on routes under roughly four hours occupied.
- Eight passengers with golf or ski bags is a common upgrade trigger; midsize baggage volume is the constraint more often than seats.
- Transcon non-stop is possible in favorable winds but not guaranteed with a full cabin; Challenger 350 class is the usual coast-to-coast quote.
Methodology
Methodology and sources
Every figure on this page is a planning estimate, not a quote. We do not track live aircraft availability or market prices.
This model page uses the same category hourly band as other aircraft in its class. The notes here describe how this type is typically used in charter; a specific tail, year of manufacture, and operator can price above or below the band.
A final invoice can move up or down based on aircraft availability, repositioning, taxes, federal excise tax and segment fees, landing and FBO or handling fees, crew overnights and duty limits, de-icing, fuel surcharges, international permits and customs, and peak demand.
Use the range to compare aircraft, routes, or access models before you speak with a licensed operator or broker.
Sources and reference points
Estimates here are cross-checked against public and industry reference material for structure and terminology, not scraped from live charter pricing feeds.
- 14 CFR Part 135 (eCFR)
Federal operating rules for on-demand charter and commuter operations in the United States.
- FAA
U.S. aviation safety, certification, and operator oversight relevant to private and charter flying.
- NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)
Industry context on business aviation operations, access models, and planning.
- IRS Form 720 (excise tax filings)
How federal excise taxes on transportation are reported; many domestic charters include FET on the invoice.
- NBAA aircraft operating information
High-level industry framing for how aircraft categories are used in business aviation.
- FAA airport operations
How airports are run; landing, ramp, and FBO handling fees are set locally, not by this site.
Category hourly bands and aircraft notes reflect typical charter market structure and published aircraft class characteristics—not quotes for a specific tail. Drafting may use AI-assisted tools. A human reviews every page before publish: airport codes, distances, regulatory references, and the rule that estimates are not quotes. We strip templated filler phrases at render time on route pages and block new content that reuses them in CI. Editorial policy.
Last reviewed May 2026. Pricing assumptions are broad planning ranges and should be confirmed with a licensed operator or broker.
Use
What this aircraft is used for
The Citation XLS is one of the most popular midsize jets, valued for a stand-up cabin, reliability, and a good balance of cost and capability.
Comfortable for about seven to eight passengers with a stand-up cabin.
Best uses
Best route types
- Trips up to roughly three to four hours
- Coast to region routes
- Small group travel with more baggage
Tradeoffs
Limitations to keep in mind
- Not a reliable non-stop transcontinental aircraft
- Higher hourly cost than light jets
- Smaller than super midsize cabins for the longest trips
Good range for medium trips with a stand-up cabin.
Alternatives
Similar aircraft and categories
Common questions
Why is the Citation XLS so common?
It is a proven midsize jet with a stand-up cabin and a strong balance of comfort, reliability, and operating cost, which keeps it popular in charter fleets.
How many passengers fit in a Citation XLS?
About seven to eight comfortably, with more baggage room than a light jet.
Can the XLS fly transcontinental?
It can cover long domestic legs but is not a reliable non-stop coast to coast aircraft in all conditions.
Routes this aircraft commonly flies
- New York to MiamiPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to Miami.
- New York to Palm BeachPlan a private jet from New York to Palm Beach: about 2.5 hours, light and midsize ranges, TEB/HPN to PBI, winter-season demand, and snowbird pricing notes.
- New York to AspenPlanning charter cost range, aircraft fit, and routing notes for New York to Aspen.
Estimate a trip on this aircraft
- Charter CostFree private jet flight cost calculator: estimate charter cost from flight time, aircraft category, trip type, and extras. Planning ranges only—not quotes.
- Aircraft Hourly RateSee planning hourly rate ranges by aircraft category and estimate a flight cost from hours, with a reference table across all categories.
- Split CostSee per person and per group cost when a group shares a single private charter, including host subsidies.
- AircraftCompare aircraft categories by passengers, speed, range, and planning hourly cost.
Last reviewed May 2026. Estimates use planning assumptions that we revisit periodically.