Cessna Citation XLS

The Cessna Citation XLS is a twin-engine business jet of the 560XL family, which also includes the older Excel and the later XLS+ and XLS Gen2. It counts as a midsize jet, although its outside dimensions are close to the light class. The dropped aisle gives 1.73 m of headroom, so most people walk almost upright, and the usual layout is six single seats and a two-seat couch, with an enclosed toilet at the rear.

Cabin: singles, couch and an enclosed toilet

From the cockpit bulkhead to the rear wall the Citation XLS cabin measures 5.64 m, with 1.68 m of width and 1.73 m of height in the lowered aisle. By the windows the ceiling drops, which matters only when you stand up. A two-seat side couch usually faces the drinks cabinet at the door; further back, four of the six single seats face each other in a club group with fold-out tables. The seats slide, swivel and recline.

• The toilet at the rear closes with a door; in some aircraft its seat has a belt and counts as a ninth place
• The drinks cabinet has a hot-water tank but no oven, so catering is cold
• A flight attendant is not usual; it depends on the aircraft, and often the co-pilot serves coffee
• Wi-Fi depends on the aircraft, and many have none

Baggage, skis and golf bags

Textron gives 2.55 m³ of baggage space in total for the Citation XLS. Most of it is the tail hold, loaded from the apron and closed in flight; the cabin has a wardrobe and lockers for small bags, so keep medicines and papers with you. About seven medium suitcases fit in the hold.

• Six people: one large suitcase and a cabin bag each
• Skis and golf bags usually fit; with eight people and skis give the number and size in advance, as the operator checks them for the actual aircraft

Dogs and cats fly in the cabin with you once the operator has approved them. Inside the EU they need a microchip, an EU pet passport and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel; dogs entering Finland, Ireland, Malta, Norway or the UK also need tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before arrival.

Versions, speed and runways

Operators fly three versions of the same airframe:

The runway figures apply at sea level in standard temperature, and two pilots always fly. The short runs open smaller airports:

• Cannes-Mandelieu (1,539 m, 35 t limit): within reach, close to Cannes
• London City (1,508 m): the family is certified for the 5.5 degree approach, but only approved operators and crews may land
• Samedan (about 1,700 m elevation): mountain approach, a crew trained for the airport, weight limits on hot days
• Courchevel: the sloped 537 m altiport is too short for the type and needs a special qualification; the Pilatus PC-12 is the usual answer

Flying the Citation XLS around Europe

Citation XLS routes and prices

Thirty-one sample legs from the thirteen hubs, from Frankfurt - Sion (1:04 h) to Milan - Tel Aviv (3:57 h), all non-stop. Prices are one way for the whole aircraft with crew and fuel, before airport fees and passenger taxes.

Under two hours: London City, Alps and Riviera

Two to four hours: Iberia, Greece and beyond

The London City rows assume an operator approved for the steep approach; otherwise you land at Farnborough or Luton. On Milan - Tel Aviv and London - Marrakesh, with eight people, skis or a strong headwind, the operator may plan a fuel stop.

The calculator shows an indicative price for the Citation XLS or a jet of the same class on your route.

What a Citation XLS costs to charter

The Citation XLS rate starts at EUR 4,500 per flight hour for the whole aircraft with two pilots and fuel, whatever the number of passengers. Short legs are dearer per hour: Frankfurt - Sion takes 1:04 h and starts at EUR 10,500, as taxi, climb, positioning and the operator's minimum charge apply to every flight.

Amsterdam - Nice, split by the number of passengers on board:

Ways to pay less

Empty Legs on the Citation XLS

With so many 560XL jets in Europe, Empty Legs on the Citation XLS family are among the easiest to find. Typical directions are the Riviera, Sardinia and the Balearics back towards Switzerland, Germany and the UK in summer, and the Alps in winter. As examples, they can be 30-60% below a normal charter.

How it compares

We are asked most often to compare the Citation XLS with the older Excel, the smaller and faster Phenom 300 and the larger Citation Latitude.

How to book the jet

We build the quote from four things:

We work only with operators holding an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and always try to propose two aircraft, though each case depends on the operator's contract. EU citizens flying to the UK need an ETA.

Citation XLS: frequent questions

• • How much does a Citation XLS flight cost?

  • It depends on the route and covers the whole aircraft. Milan Linate - Paris Le Bourget starts at EUR 11,500, Amsterdam - Nice at EUR 13,500 and London Farnborough - Malaga at EUR 17,500 one way, plus airport fees and passenger taxes.

• • What makes up the price?

  • Flight hours with fuel, positioning, crew hotels on trips of several days, airport and handling fees and passenger taxes, for example about EUR 420 per passenger leaving France on a European route, more on longer ones (about EUR 1,015 and up to EUR 2,100 beyond 5,500 km).

• • How can I bring the price down?

  • Return the same or next day, accept a nearby aircraft or a Citation Excel, keep the departure time flexible and ask about Empty Legs.

• • Are Empty Legs common on this jet?

  • Yes, more than on most types, because the family is widespread in Europe. They can be 30-60% cheaper, but the date and route are fixed and the leg may be cancelled.

• • How many passengers really fit?

  • Usually eight, nine in aircraft with a belted toilet seat; six is the comfortable number. Children count as passengers, though infants under two may sit on a lap if the operator allows it.

• • Is there a toilet?

  • Yes, at the rear in its own compartment with a door, not behind a curtain as in many light jets.

• • Will our skis and golf bags fit?

  • Usually: the tail hold takes about seven medium suitcases. With eight people and skis, give the number and length of the bags so the operator can check weight and space.

• • How far does it fly without a stop?

  • 3,326 km with four passengers and IFR reserves. Zurich - Lisbon and Madrid - Tenerife are easy for a Citation XLS; Milan - Tel Aviv works with a lighter load, while the Canary Islands from Paris or London need a stop.

• • Can my dog come?

  • Usually yes, in the cabin with you, once the operator agrees. Name the size and number of animals; for the UK the dog must arrive via an approved route.

• • Can it land at London City or Courchevel?

  • London City yes, with an approved operator and crew; if none is free, you land at Farnborough or Luton. Courchevel no: the 537 m altiport is too short, so Chambéry or Geneva is used.