Charter a Cessna Citation XLS +

The Cessna Citation XLS Plus is the third and final evolution of the Citation Excel series, following the Citation Excel (1998) and Citation XLS (2004), FAA-certified and in delivery from 2008. The XLS+ introduced FADEC-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines (4,119 lbf each), replacing the manually managed PW545B of the Citation XLS, and upgraded the avionics to Collins Pro Line 21 with four LCD displays. The extended nose contour improves aerodynamics over both predecessors. At 441 kt maximum cruise and up to 2,100 nm range, the Citation XLS+ is the fastest and longest-range variant in the Excel series.

The 5.64 m cabin inherits the defining features of the Excel series: stand-up headroom throughout at 1.73 m, a triple-sealed entry door and triple-pane windows for noise reduction that Cessna describes as best-in-class, indirect LED lighting, fold-out tables, sliding headrests and seats two to four inches wider than previous Citation models. The standard sofa is certified for takeoff and landing. Two air conditioning systems maintain cabin comfort in extreme outside temperatures. External baggage capacity is 90 ft³ with additional internal closet space. Nine passengers in standard configuration; up to 12 in maximum layout. Charter prices start from approximately £3,000 per flight hour. For the full fleet see our private jet price guide or browse our complete fleet.

Why charter the Cessna Citation XLS+?

• FADEC-controlled PW545C engines: the key upgrade over the Citation XLS. The defining improvement of the XLS+ over the Citation XLS is the switch to Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines with FADEC. FADEC automatically manages engine parameters throughout every phase of flight, eliminating manual adjustments, reducing pilot workload and optimising fuel efficiency at each power setting. The PW545C produces 4,119 lbf each, contributing to the 441 kt maximum cruise and the 2,100 nm range at long-range cruise;
• Collins Pro Line 21 avionics: four LCD glass panel replacing the Honeywell Primus 1000. The XLS+ upgraded from the Citation XLS's Honeywell Primus 1000 to Collins Aerospace Pro Line 21 avionics with four LCD EFIS displays. Pro Line 21 provides integrated flight management, weather data and traffic awareness on large-format glass displays in a T-arrangement. The extended nose contour, a visible aerodynamic change from both earlier Excel-series models, improves the airflow at the avionics installation;
• Triple-sealed entry door and triple-pane windows. The Citation XLS+ cabin uses a triple-sealed entry door and triple-pane windows throughout, a combination that Cessna says produces the lowest cabin noise level of any jet in the midsize category. This design feature was introduced in the Citation Excel and retained through all three variants. The quiet, draft-free environment suits working meetings and rest on 2 to 4-hour European and Near East sectors;
• Stand-up cabin with seats wider than previous Citation models. The 5.64 m cabin provides full stand-up height for all passengers at 1.73 m. Seats are two to four inches wider than in previous Citation models, with sliding headrests and fold-out tables standard. The certified takeoff/landing sofa accommodates two passengers throughout all phases of flight. Eleven windows provide natural light along the cabin length;
• 3,560 ft takeoff distance: short-strip access within the midsize category. At 3,560 ft the Citation XLS+ has the shortest published takeoff distance among current midsize business jets, enabling operations at London City, Cannes Mandelieu, Innsbruck and other constrained European airports that competing midsize jets with longer takeoff runs cannot access. Combined with a 3,619 ft landing distance, this opens a range of destinations that most midsize alternatives exclude;
• Fleet depth from 260-plus aircraft built since 2008. More than 261 Citation XLS+ aircraft have been built since 2008, with 256 in active operation. The Excel series overall has been among the best-selling midsize jet families for over two decades. The scale of the active fleet means parts availability, MRO support and trained crew are accessible globally, which translates into lower AOG risk on international charter operations.

Charter cost - Cessna Citation XLS+ prices from UK airports

Hourly rates run from approximately £3,000 to £3,600, in the upper midsize category, above the Citation XLS and comparable to the Phenom 300E. For up to 9 passengers on European and Near East missions, the Citation XLS+ combines short-runway access, a quiet midsize cabin and Collins Pro Line 21 avionics at competitive midsize rates.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports:

• London to Geneva - from £7,500 (8 passengers, approximately 1 hour 15 minutes);
• London to Dubai - from £30,000 (8 passengers, two fuel stops, approximately 8 hours total);
• London to New York - from £40,000 (8 passengers, two fuel stops, approximately 11 hours total);
• London to Moscow - from £14,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Cairo - from £20,000 (8 passengers, one fuel stop, approximately 5 hours total);
• Edinburgh to Istanbul - from £15,000 (8 passengers, approximately 3 hours 30 minutes);
• London to Canary Islands - from £12,000 (8 passengers, non-stop, approximately 3 hours).

Empty Leg flights appear on repositioning routes. See our Empty Legs page for current availability.

Ideal routes for the Cessna Citation XLS+

The Cessna Citation XLS+ is best matched to European, Mediterranean and Near East missions where its short-runway capability, quiet cabin and 441 kt cruise serve groups of 6 to 9 at midsize charter rates:

• Short-strip European destinations (1 to 2.5 hours). At 3,560 ft takeoff distance the Citation XLS+ accesses London City, Cannes Mandelieu, Innsbruck, Sion and similar constrained European airports. For leisure and corporate groups where the destination airport is the defining constraint, the Citation XLS+ opens routes that most competing midsize jets cannot operate. Few midsize jets publish a shorter certified takeoff distance;
• UK to Mediterranean and Near East (2 to 4 hours). The full Mediterranean basin, Canary Islands, Morocco, Istanbul, Cairo and Beirut are within range from UK airports. At 441 kt the Citation XLS+ covers European sectors quickly. The quiet cabin environment suits working meetings on 2 to 3-hour sectors where cabin noise would otherwise be a distraction;
• Corporate groups of 8 to 9 at midsize rates. The standard nine-seat configuration handles full midsize corporate groups without a seat reduction. For groups of exactly 8 or 9 on European missions where short-runway access adds destination options, the Citation XLS+ is worth checking first;
• City pairs where two to four hours is a working environment. Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, LED indirect lighting, fold-out tables and the low-noise cabin make the Citation XLS+ a productive working environment on 2 to 4-hour European sectors. For corporate groups who use every minute of flight time productively, the combination of cruise speed and cabin quiet is a meaningful criterion;
• Domestic UK and short cross-channel hops (under 1 hour). Manchester to Geneva, Edinburgh to Amsterdam, Belfast to Paris, sectors of 45 to 90 minutes where the Citation XLS+'s short-field performance adds airport options at both ends. At midsize rates for groups of 6 to 9, the per-seat economics are generally competitive for short intra-European corporate travel.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The Cessna Citation XLS+ cabin measures 5.64 m long, 1.68 m wide and 1.73 m high, full stand-up throughout. Eleven windows provide natural light along the cabin. The triple-sealed entry door and triple-pane windows create a cabin environment that Cessna says is the quietest in the midsize category. Seats are two to four inches wider than previous Citation models, with sliding headrests and fold-out tables standard. The certified sofa seats two throughout all phases of flight.

Two independent air conditioning systems maintain cabin temperature in extreme outside conditions. Indirect LED lighting throughout reduces heat and creates a roomier cabin feel. Collins Pro Line 21 avionics provide four-display glass panel situational awareness. External baggage compartment holds 90 ft³ with additional internal closet space. The FADEC-controlled PW545C engines manage all power settings automatically, contributing to the smooth operation and consistent cruise performance that characterise the XLS+.

• Cabin. 5.64 m x 1.68 m x 1.73 m; full stand-up; 11 windows;
• Noise. Triple-sealed door + triple-pane windows (Cessna: quietest midsize cabin);
• Seats. 2-4 inches wider than previous Citations; sliding headrests; fold-out tables;
• Sofa. Certified for takeoff and landing; two passengers;
• Climate. Two independent air conditioning systems;
• Lighting. Indirect LED throughout;
• Engines. 2 x PW545C with FADEC (4,119 lbf each);
• Avionics. Collins Pro Line 21; four LCD displays.

Technical specifications

Cessna Citation XLS+ vs similar aircraft

• Cessna Citation XLS+ vs Cessna Citation XLS. The Citation XLS is the direct predecessor. The XLS+ adds FADEC-controlled PW545C engines (vs PW545B on XLS), Collins Pro Line 21 avionics (vs Honeywell Primus 1000) and the extended aerodynamic nose contour. Cabin dimensions, the triple-pane windows and the sofa are shared across both variants. Charter rates are comparable, with the Citation XLS+ typically 5 to 10% higher. For the most current avionics and FADEC engine management in the Excel series, the XLS+ is the more capable variant;
• Cessna Citation XLS+ vs Phenom 300E. The Phenom 300E is slightly faster (453 kt vs 441 kt) with broadly comparable range, but seats fewer passengers in standard configuration (6-7 vs 9) and has a narrower cabin. The Citation XLS+ counters with the triple-pane noise standard, the 3,560 ft takeoff distance, nine standard seats and a significantly larger fleet for parts availability. For groups of 8 to 9 and missions where cabin quiet and short-strip access matter, the XLS+ has a practical advantage;
• Cessna Citation XLS+ vs Embraer Legacy 450. The Legacy 450 has more range (2,900 nm vs 2,100 nm), a flat-floor cabin, full fly-by-wire and nine standard passengers. Charter rates for the Legacy 450 run approximately 10 to 15% higher. The Cessna Citation XLS+ counters with a 3,560 ft takeoff distance (vs approximately 4,750 ft for the Legacy 450), the triple-pane noise standard and the larger Excel-series fleet for maintenance support. For missions ending at short-strip airports the Legacy 450 cannot use, the XLS+ is the practical midsize option.

Frequently asked questions - Cessna Citation XLS+ charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation XLS+?
Charter rates run from approximately £3,000 to £3,600 per flight hour. London to Geneva costs from £7,500 for 8 passengers. London to Moscow costs from £14,000. London to Cairo costs from £20,000 with one fuel stop. All quotes from Private Jets UK are fully itemised with no hidden charges.

What is the difference between the Citation XLS and Citation XLS+?
The XLS+ replaces the Citation XLS's Pratt & Whitney PW545B engines with FADEC-controlled PW545C engines (4,119 lbf each), upgrades the avionics from Honeywell Primus 1000 to Collins Pro Line 21 with four LCD displays, and redesigns the nose contour for improved aerodynamics. The cabin, including the triple-pane windows, sofa and stand-up height, is shared across both variants. The XLS+ entered service in 2008; the XLS was produced 2004 to 2008.

Can the Cessna Citation XLS+ use London City Airport?
Yes. The Citation XLS+ meets London City Airport's steep approach requirements and its 3,560 ft takeoff distance handles the constrained runway comfortably. For corporate groups based in the City of London or Canary Wharf, LCY saves 60 to 90 minutes of ground transfer versus Luton or Farnborough. Confirm London City-specific certification on each individual booking.

How quiet is the Cessna Citation XLS+ cabin?
Cessna describes the Citation XLS+ as having the quietest cabin of any midsize business jet. The triple-sealed entry door and triple-pane windows reduce wind and engine noise to a level that reportedly allows normal conversation throughout the cabin without raising voices. This noise standard was first established in the original Citation Excel and retained through all three variants. Individual experience will vary, but both charter clients and crew consistently cite the cabin noise level as a standout characteristic.

How many passengers can fly on a Cessna Citation XLS+?
Nine in standard configuration; maximum 12. The 5.64 m cabin seats 9 comfortably with the certified sofa providing two additional positions. For groups of 8 to 9 on European missions, the Citation XLS+ handles the full group at midsize rates with the short-strip access and low-noise cabin that define the Excel series.