Charter a Cessna Citation XLS

The Cessna Citation XLS is a midsize business jet from Textron Aviation that has become one of the most widely chartered aircraft in Europe - and for good reason. Combining a comfortable seven-seat cabin with an operating cost significantly below that of heavier midsize jets, the Citation XLS delivers a premium flying experience on intra-European sectors without the expense of aircraft designed for much longer ranges. It is particularly well suited to UK clients who need to cover distances of one to three hours - London to Geneva, Edinburgh to Nice, Manchester to Barcelona - with a cabin large enough to work, hold a meeting, or simply arrive feeling well rested.

The Citation XLS entered service in 1998 and was succeeded by the updated Citation XLS+ in 2008, which brought revised Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines with improved efficiency. Both variants operate widely in the European charter market. Private Jets UK arranges charters on both variants from all UK airports with a free fully itemised quote within 15 minutes. Charter prices for the Citation XLS start from £3,000 per flight hour. For the full range of aircraft categories and pricing see our private jet price guide.

Why charter the Citation XLS?

• The most cost-efficient midsize jet in Europe. The Citation XLS combines a genuine midsize cabin with operating costs considerably below heavier alternatives. For groups of 5 to 7 on European sectors, it is frequently the most economical aircraft per seat-mile in its class;
• Exceptional short-field performance. A landing distance of just 2,590 feet makes this jet one of the most versatile in the midsize category, giving access to airports unavailable to competitors - including Lugano, Sion, Cannes Mandelieu and several Mediterranean island airports;
• Up to 9 passengers. The standard configuration seats 7 passengers comfortably; a 9-seat configuration is available where required for larger groups on shorter sectors;
• Fast European connections. At 787 km/h cruise, it covers London to Paris in approximately 35 minutes, London to Geneva in approximately 1 hour 5 minutes, and London to Barcelona in approximately 1 hour 50 minutes - faster than any commercial connection door-to-door;
• Proven reliability. Over 25 years in service with thousands of examples produced, the aircraft has an outstanding maintenance and dispatch reliability record, with a worldwide Cessna service network;
• High availability across the UK. It is one of the most common charter jets in the UK market, meaning aircraft are frequently already positioned near UK departure airports - reducing positioning costs and improving availability on short notice.

Charter cost - Citation XLS prices from UK airports

Hourly charter rates run from approximately £3,000 to £3,700 depending on the aircraft's year of manufacture, operator and seasonal demand. For most intra-European sectors of one to two hours, it is one of the most price-competitive midsize options available from UK airports.

Indicative one-way prices from UK airports on a Citation XLS:

• London to Paris - from £5,200 (7 passengers, approximately 35 minutes);
• London to Geneva - from £6,800 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 5 minutes);
• London to Nice - from £7,400 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 25 minutes);
• London to Barcelona - from £8,600 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 50 minutes);
• London to Palma de Mallorca - from £9,800 (7 passengers, approximately 2 hours 5 minutes);
• Edinburgh to Amsterdam - from £7,200 (7 passengers, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes);
• Manchester to Rome - from £11,400 (7 passengers, approximately 2 hours 30 minutes).

These are indicative prices. The exact cost depends on aircraft positioning, seasonal demand and any additional services. Empty Leg flights on this aircraft are among the most frequently available in the European market - see our Empty Legs page for current routes and prices.

Ideal routes for the Citation XLS

The XLS is optimised for sectors between approximately 30 minutes and 2.5 hours. Its range of 1,858 nm (3,441 km) puts most of Europe within reach non-stop from UK airports, but it is genuinely at its best on the shorter and medium-range European routes where its efficiency and short-field capability are most valuable:

• UK to France, Benelux and Germany (35 to 90 minutes). Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, Geneva. These are its native sectors - quick, cost-efficient, with enough cabin for a productive working flight or a relaxed early morning departure;
• UK to Spain and Mediterranean (1.5 to 2.5 hours). Barcelona, Madrid, Palma, Ibiza, Malaga. Both Ibiza and Palma are reachable non-stop, and the short landing distance opens access during peak summer when larger jets compete for limited apron space;
• UK to Italy (1.5 to 2.5 hours). Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Naples. It handles all Italian mainland airports comfortably. For Sardinian destinations such as Olbia, it is a natural fit given the 2-hour sector from London;
• UK to Greek islands (3 to 3.5 hours). Mykonos, Santorini, Corfu, Rhodes. The XLS can reach the Aegean islands non-stop from southern UK airports, though sector times push towards the upper end of its comfortable operating range - a Challenger 300 may be preferable for larger groups on these routes;
• Same-day returns across northern Europe. It is the classic same-day return aircraft for UK corporate travel. London to Zurich for a morning meeting, back in London for dinner - the sector times and airport flexibility make this the most practical choice for routine European business travel.

Cabin and in-flight experience

The cabin measures 5.64 m long, 1.73 m wide and 1.45 m high. The cabin height means passengers cannot stand fully upright - it is not a stand-up cabin - but for European sectors of one to two hours this is rarely a concern in practice. The seating is comfortable and well-designed for productive working flights.

The standard configuration seats 7 passengers in a club arrangement with two pairs of forward-facing seats and two rear-facing seats. An eighth and ninth seat are available in some configurations. All seats have individual armrests, fold-out tables and recline fully for rest on longer sectors.

• Connectivity. Satellite Wi-Fi is available on many European charter-market XLS examples, though not on all - confirm at booking if connectivity is essential;
• Entertainment. In-cabin entertainment systems with monitor screens and audio are fitted on most examples. USB charging points are standard on post-2010 refurbishments;
• Catering. A galley with hot beverage service is standard. For full hot meal service on longer sectors, pre-ordered catering from the departure FBO is available;
• Lavatory. A private enclosed lavatory is located in the aft section;
• Baggage. The aircraft has a nose baggage compartment and aft hold providing total capacity for approximately 5 to 6 full-size suitcases for a 7-passenger load. The hold is not accessible during flight - advise your consultant of any oversized items at the time of booking.

Technical specifications

Citation XLS vs similar aircraft

• Citation XLS vs Citation XLS+. Updated PW545C engines were introduced in 2008 offering improved fuel efficiency and slightly greater range. The cabin is identical. Charter rates for the XLS+ run approximately 5% higher than the original XLS. For most European sectors the performance difference is negligible - the XLS+ is the preferred option when available, particularly for range-sensitive missions such as London to Athens or London to Istanbul;
• Citation XLS vs Hawker 800XP. The Hawker 800XP has a very similar cabin volume and is a direct competitor. The XLS generally has lower operating costs and better short-field performance; the Hawker 800XP has marginally more range and a slightly different cabin layout that some clients prefer. Availability of the Hawker 800XP in the UK charter market has declined as the fleet ages, making it the more reliably bookable option;
• Citation XLS vs Challenger 300. The Challenger 300 is the step up - a full stand-up cabin, 3,100 nm range and up to 9 passengers at significantly greater comfort on longer sectors. Charter rates run approximately 50% higher. For groups of 7 to 9 on sectors over 2 hours, or for any mission requiring Gulf or North African range, the Challenger 300 is the better choice. For quick European hops with 5 to 7 passengers where cost efficiency matters, the XLS is the smarter option.

Frequently asked questions - Citation XLS charter

How much does it cost to charter a Cessna Citation XLS in the UK?
Charter rates start from approximately £3,000 per flight hour. London to Geneva (approximately 1 hour 5 minutes) costs from £6,800 all-inclusive for up to 7 passengers. London to Palma de Mallorca (approximately 2 hours 5 minutes) costs from £9,800. All quotes from Private Jets UK include aircraft, crew, fuel, landing fees and standard catering with no hidden charges.

How many passengers can fly on a Citation XLS?
The standard charter configuration is 7 passengers. A maximum of 9 passengers can be accommodated in a higher-density configuration, which is occasionally used for short sectors. For groups of 8 or 9 passengers on sectors over 2 hours, we would typically recommend a Challenger 300 for greater cabin comfort.

What is the range of the Citation XLS?
It has a range of 1,858 nm (3,441 km), covering all of Western Europe and much of the Mediterranean non-stop from UK airports. It does not have the range for non-stop Middle East or transatlantic operations - for Dubai or New York, a long-range jet such as the Challenger 300 or Gulfstream is required.

What is the difference between the Citation XLS and Citation XLS+?
The Citation XLS+ (introduced 2008) has updated Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545C engines offering better fuel efficiency and a modest range increase. The cabin is identical to the original XLS. In the charter market the two variants perform similarly on European sectors. The XLS+ is the more recent aircraft and is preferred when available, particularly on longer European routes.

Can the Citation XLS land at Cannes Mandelieu, Lugano or other short-field airports?
Yes. Its landing distance of 2,590 feet (789 m) is one of the shortest in the midsize category, giving it access to constrained airports unavailable to larger jets - including Cannes Mandelieu (CNM), Lugano (LUG), Sion (SIR) and several Mediterranean island airports. This is one of its most practical advantages for Mediterranean leisure travel.

How much luggage can I take on a Citation XLS?
The aircraft has a nose compartment and aft baggage hold providing capacity for approximately 5 to 6 standard suitcases for a typical 7-passenger load. The hold is not accessible during the flight. For trips with ski equipment, golf bags or oversized items, please advise your consultant at booking so we can confirm hold capacity against your specific requirements.