Charter a Cessna Citation Excel

The Cessna Citation Excel is a midsize-cabin business jet that delivers stand-up interior dimensions on a light jet airframe - a combination Cessna describes as "the category of one." The 7.01 m cabin at 1.70 m wide and 1.72 m high provides full stand-up headroom and enough central club seating for eight passengers, with a ninth seat available in the toilet compartment. The Citation Excel cabin width and height match those of the Citation X - Cessna's flagship at launch - meaning passengers in an Excel get the same cross-sectional cabin experience at a considerably lower charter rate. The external baggage compartment at 2.27 m³ (80 cu ft) with a 318 kg payload capacity is the largest in its class, handling full luggage loads for all nine passengers without cabin compromise.

The Citation Excel family (XL / XLS variants) combines a straight-wing design for short-field flexibility with a 796 km/h cruise speed and 3,800 km (2,052 nm) range that covers the full Western European map from UK airports. Advanced avionics including some of the most capable systems in the class are standard. Charter prices start from approximately £2,800 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Citation Excel?

• Stand-up cabin on a light jet airframe - the only aircraft of its type. It delivers a 1.72 m stand-up cabin and 7.01 m of interior space on an airframe with light jet operating economics and short-field capability. No other aircraft in this weight and price category offers full stand-up headroom across a 7 m cabin. Cessna created this combination specifically - and it remains a unique position in the charter market;
• Largest external baggage compartment in class - 2.27 m³. At 2.27 m³ (80 cu ft) with a 318 kg payload capacity, the Citation Excel's external luggage hold is the largest in its class. For business groups or families with full luggage, equipment cases or sports bags, this eliminates the cabin-bag compromise that applies to most light jets. All bags go in the hold; the cabin remains uncluttered;
• Cabin width and height matching the Citation X. The cross-sectional dimensions of the Citation Excel cabin - 1.70 m wide, 1.72 m high - match those of Cessna's flagship Citation X. Passengers who know the Citation X experience the same cabin environment in the Citation Excel at a considerably lower charter rate;
• Up to 9 passengers with a toilet-compartment dressing room. The XLS variant's enlarged toilet compartment is large enough to function as a dressing room and carries a ninth strap-on seat in the standard seating arrangement. For groups of 8 or 9, the Citation Excel is one of the most capable aircraft available at light-to-midsize rates;
• 2,052 nm range covering Western Europe non-stop. The 3,800 km range reaches Madrid, Lisbon, Rome, Warsaw, Istanbul and most of Western and Central Europe non-stop from UK airports. For European business travel, the Citation Excel covers the full operational map;
• Straight-wing short-field performance. The straight-wing design provides short-field access that swept-wing competitors in the midsize category cannot match. Regional airfields accessible to the Citation Excel are not accessible to larger midsize aircraft at similar charter rates.

Charter cost - Citation Excel prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £2,800 to £3,300 - above light jets, reflecting the stand-up cabin and larger capacity, and below the midsize category. For groups of 6 to 9 passengers on European missions, the Citation Excel's per-seat economics are among the most competitive available at stand-up cabin rates.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Geneva - from £6,200 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• London to Paris - from £5,000 (8 passengers, approximately 50 minutes);
• London to Dubai - from £28,000 (8 passengers, two fuel stops, approximately 9 hours total);
• London to Madrid - from £8,200 (8 passengers, approximately 2 hours 10 minutes);
• London to Rome - from £8,800 (8 passengers, approximately 2 hours 20 minutes);
• Manchester to Nice - from £7,200 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 50 minutes);
• London to Istanbul - from £12,000 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours 15 minutes).

Empty Leg flights appear regularly on UK and European routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Citation Excel

It is most valuable when the group is 6 to 9 passengers, the mission is European, and stand-up cabin headroom or the large baggage hold is a requirement that rules out standard light jets:

• UK to Western Europe (1 to 2.5 hours) with 6 to 9 passengers. Geneva, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid, Frankfurt, Zurich and Dublin are all within easy range. For a group of 8 or 9, the Citation Excel provides stand-up headroom and the largest baggage hold in class at rates between the light jet and midsize categories. Per seat, the economics are competitive;
• UK to Southern Europe (2 to 3.5 hours). Rome, Barcelona, Lisbon, Naples, Athens and Istanbul are all within the 3,800 km range. The stand-up 7.01 m cabin is particularly valued on 2.5 to 3.5 hour sectors where passengers need to move, change or use the toilet dressing-room without crouching throughout;
• Large family or small corporate group travel. For 7 to 9 passengers - a family group, a board delegation, a sports team or a client entertainment group - the Citation Excel's combination of capacity, stand-up headroom and the 2.27 m³ baggage hold makes it a well-matched aircraft. The toilet-dressing-room configuration is specifically useful for families and leisure groups;
• Regional airfield access with midsize cabin standards. The straight-wing design provides short-field access that swept-wing midsize jets cannot match. For missions where the destination is a regional airfield but the group size requires stand-up headroom, the Citation Excel is effectively the only option in the market;
• Same-day European return with full bags. The 2.27 m³ hold takes full luggage for all 9 passengers without cabin compromise. For same-day or overnight European trips where the group has proper luggage rather than cabin bags, the Citation Excel eliminates the hold-capacity problem that affects lighter aircraft.

Cabin and in-flight experience

This aircraft cabin measures 7.01 m long, 1.70 m wide and 1.72 m high - full stand-up headroom throughout. The width and height match the Citation X, Cessna's flagship at launch. Eight passengers sit in central club seating with a ninth position in the toilet compartment. The XLS toilet is large enough to function as a dressing room, which Cessna specifically designed for passengers who need to change between departure and arrival on a business or leisure sector.

The external baggage compartment at 2.27 m³ (80 cu ft) with 318 kg payload capacity is accessed from outside the aircraft and keeps all passenger luggage separate from the cabin. Advanced avionics are standard. The Citation Excel family - XL and XLS variants - reflects a deliberate design philosophy that the midsize cabin experience should not require midsize operating costs.

• Stand-up height. 1.72 m throughout the full 7.01 m cabin;
• Cabin width. 1.70 m - same as Citation X;
• Capacity. 8 in central club seating; 9th seat in toilet compartment;
• Toilet. XLS variant enlarged - functions as a dressing room;
• Baggage. 2.27 m³ external hold (largest in class), 318 kg capacity;
• Avionics. Advanced, including some of the most capable in the class;
• Wing design. Straight-wing for short-field performance.

Technical specifications

Citation Excel vs similar aircraft

• Citation Excel vs Phenom 300. The Phenom 300 has a higher cruise speed (834 km/h vs 796 km/h), higher cruise speed (834 km/h vs 796 km/h) and a lighter, more modern platform. It counters with a stand-up cabin (1.72 m vs 1.52 m), a longer interior (7.01 m vs 5.74 m), 9 seats versus 7 and the 2.27 m³ hold. Charter rates are broadly comparable. For groups of 6 to 9 requiring stand-up headroom and full baggage hold, the Citation Excel is the stronger choice; for 4 to 6 passengers where speed and range are priorities, the Phenom 300 is preferable;
• Citation Excel vs Citation XLS. The XLS is a variant with the same basic dimensions but improved engines, updated avionics and the enlarged toilet-dressing-room. Charter rates for the XLS run 5 to 15% higher. Both offer the same fundamental cabin proposition - stand-up headroom and 7+ metres of interior in a light-to-midsize airframe;
• Citation Excel vs Challenger 300. The Challenger 300 is a super-midsize with considerably more range (3,100 nm vs 2,052 nm), a wider cabin (2.18 m vs 1.70 m) and higher charter rates (from £4,600/hr vs £2,800/hr). For missions within Europe where the Citation Excel's range is sufficient and the wider Challenger 300 cabin is not a requirement, the significant rate difference makes it a compelling alternative for groups of up to 9.

Frequently asked questions - Citation Excel charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation Excel?
Charter rates run from approximately £2,800 to £3,300 per flight hour. London to Geneva costs from £6,200 for 8 passengers. London to Rome costs from £8,800. London to Madrid costs from £8,200. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

Does the Cessna Citation Excel have stand-up headroom?
Yes - 1.72 m throughout the 7.01 m cabin, the same cross-section as the Citation X. Stand-up headroom at light-to-midsize rates is the Citation Excel's defining characteristic.

How many passengers can fly on a Citation Excel?
Maximum 9. Eight passengers sit in the main club seating area; a ninth seat is fitted in the toilet compartment in the XLS standard arrangement. The optimal charter group is 6 to 8 in the main cabin.

How large is the Citation Excel baggage hold?
The hold is 2.27 m³ (80 cu ft) with a 318 kg payload capacity - the largest external luggage compartment in its class. For 8 to 9 passengers with full luggage, equipment or sports bags, the Citation Excel's hold takes everything externally without cabin compromise.

What is the difference between the Citation Excel and Citation XLS?
The XLS is a direct upgrade with improved engines, updated avionics and an enlarged toilet compartment that functions as a dressing room. The fundamental cabin dimensions are the same. Charter rates for the XLS run 5 to 15% higher than the base Citation Excel.