Super Light Jet
Cessna Citation XLS
Range
2,100 NM
Cruise speed
431 kts
Seats
8
History
The XLS succeeded the original Citation Excel with more powerful Pratt & Whitney PW545B engines and a glass cockpit. Multifunction LCD screens took the place of the Excel's many analogue gauges, so the crew sees the most relevant information first. After nearly four years and 330 aircraft, Cessna introduced the XLS+ in 2008, adding improved engines and a redesigned nose.
Production of the XLS ran from 2004 to 2008. For passengers, the main appeal is the cabin: 5.67 metres long and 1.68 metres wide, it seats eight in comfort, with room for up to 12 in a high-density layout. Baggage space takes around seven suitcases and eight carry-on bags.
Technical Specifications
General information
| Model name | Citation XLS |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Cessna |
| Aircraft category | super light jet |
| ICAO Designator | C56X |
| Start/End of Production | 2004 - 2008 |
| Number of pilot(s) | 2 |
Performances
| Range (with IFR reserves) | 2100 NM (3889 km) |
|---|---|
| Ferry range | 2417 NM (4476 km) |
| Cruise speed | 431 kts (798 km/h) |
| Max Operating Speed – VMO | 305 KIAS |
| Max Mach Operating Speed - MMO | Mach 0.75 |
| Long-Range Cruise Speed - LRC | 354 KTAS |
| Approach Speed | 107 kts |
| Takeoff Distance | 1113 m |
| Average Landing Distance | 969 m |
| Rate of Climb | 3500 ft/min |
| Service Ceiling | 45000 ft |
| Thrust | 3975 lbf |
Aircraft technology
| Engine type | Turbofan |
|---|---|
| Engine(s) | 2 x Pratt & Whitney PW545B |
| Avionics | Honeywell Primus 1000 |
Dimensions and capacity
| Aircraft length | 16 m |
|---|---|
| Aircraft height | 5.23 m |
| Wing span | 17.17 m |
| Cabin height | 1.73 m (5.67 ft) |
| Cabin length | 5.67 m (18.6 ft) |
| Cabin width | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Baggage volume | 2.27 m3 |
| Seats (standard config) | 8 |
| Seats (max) | 12 |
| Suitcases | 7 |
| Carry-on luggage | 8 |
| Maximum payload | 1134 kg |
| Maximum TakeOff Weight - MTOW | 9163 kg |
| Maximum Landing Weight - MLW | 8482 kg |
Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages
- Room to move: Head and shoulder room are generous, and at 1.68 metres the cabin is wide for an aircraft of this size. Both the XLS and XLS+ have extra-wide seats that slide, so passengers can adjust their position on longer flights.
- Garment storage: A wardrobe keeps jackets and suits uncreased and adds storage to the cabin. The baggage allowance is 317 kilograms, enough for about seven suitcases and eight carry-on bags.
- Proven popularity: Textron announced the 1,000th delivery of the 560XL series, which covers the Excel, XLS and XLS+, in March 2021. Buyers do not commit to an aircraft of this price lightly, so that figure says a good deal about the design.
- Current flight deck: Cessna now equips the XLS+ with the Garmin G5000, one of the most advanced avionics systems available. It lightens the crew's workload and gives passengers a smoother, more efficient flight, and many Excel and XLS operators have taken up Cessna's avionics upgrade offer.
- Dependable in service: Owners value the XLS family for reliability and a good balance of payload and range. As of 2021, 99.4 per cent of delivered aircraft were still flying, and the 560XL fleet had logged five million flight hours.
Disadvantages
- Not the most efficient: The design puts the cabin first, and efficiency pays for it. Against midsize jets such as the Bombardier Learjet 75, the Citation is slower and burns more fuel.
- Two pilots required: Neither the XLS nor the XLS+ is certified for single-pilot operation. The second pilot adds safety but also cost, and travellers who want a similar-sized aircraft flown by one pilot can look at the Phenom 300e or the Pilatus PC-24.
FAQ
Which airports can the Citation XLS use?
Its range covers most routes within Europe, Athens to London for example, and its runway performance opens up short strips such as Bern, Lugano and Cannes. The aircraft needs about 1,113 metres to take off, and with its steep-approach certification it can operate at London City, one of Europe's most demanding airports for approach and runway.
What changed between the Citation XLS and the XLS+?
The XLS+ swapped the PW545B engines for more powerful PW545C units with full digital engine control (FADEC), so it is a little faster and uses fuel more efficiently. At launch it replaced the Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21, an electronic flight instrument system with four large screens. A reshaped nose also improves its aerodynamics.
How does the XLS compare with the Citation Latitude?
The Latitude is the newer design, and its flat-floor cabin is both wider and taller, seating 7 to 9. It also flies further, about 2,678 nautical miles (4,960 km) against 2,100 (3,889 km) for the XLS. The XLS keeps its edge on short runways, while the Latitude is the better choice for a bigger group or a longer leg.
Citation XLS or Phenom 300: which suits my trip?
As a light jet, the Phenom 300 carries up to 6 or 7 passengers, with 2,010 nautical miles (3,723 km) of range and a 464-knot cruise. It suits regional trips for small groups. The XLS seats 8 in a cabin you can stand up in, flies 2,100 nautical miles at 431 knots and handles short runways well, so it is the better pick when cabin space matters as much as speed.
How far can the Citation XLS fly without refuelling?
With IFR reserves the XLS covers about 2,100 nautical miles (3,889 km). New York to Dallas and London to Cairo are both possible without a stop. Payload and weather affect the figure on the day, but the aircraft is a dependable choice for regional trips and medium-haul sectors.
What makes the Citation XLS such a common charter choice?
It combines a cabin that seats eight comfortably with the ability to use runways too short for many larger jets. Reliable, efficient to run and able to link major city pairs without refuelling, it is one of the business jets most often chartered around the world, for business and leisure trips alike.
What does it cost to charter a Citation XLS?
There is no fixed price. Each quote depends on the route, your dates, where the nearest suitable aircraft is positioned and which operator flies it. Our advisors price every trip individually, so the figure you receive reflects your actual itinerary rather than a general rate.
Gallery
Figures are published manufacturer data, shown for illustration only. Images are generated for this concept and show the Citation XLS type, not a specific aircraft. Cessna and Citation XLS are trademarks of their owner, used only to identify the aircraft.