The Cessna Citation Excel and XLS are the midsize jets Naples charter clients ask for by name more than any other in the category. For a family of seven flying HPN or PWK to APF with an enclosed lavatory, 90 cubic feet of baggage, and a stand-up cabin, the Excel/XLS is the default answer.
Cessna certified the Citation Excel in 1998 with a Citation X fuselage cross-section grafted onto a shorter Citation V wing and Pratt and Whitney PW545 engines. The XLS update arrived in 2004 with Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics; the XLS+ followed with FADEC engines in 2008. Seats seven to eight, cruises at 441 knots to 45,000 feet, 1,858 nautical miles of range, 90 cubic feet of baggage.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Midsize Jet
- Manufacturer: Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 1998
- Seating: 7 to 8
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,858 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 441 knots
- Service ceiling: 45,000 feet
- Length: 52.5 feet
- Wingspan: 56.3 feet
- Height: 17.2 feet
- Baggage volume: 90 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Enclosed
Why the Cessna Citation Excel / XLS Fits Naples
APF handles the Excel/XLS comfortably at any typical winter weight. That reliability is why the type is one of the most-quoted midsize aircraft in the Naples market during snowbird season, alongside the Hawker 800XP and Learjet 60.
Range at 1,858 nautical miles covers TEB, HPN, MMU, BED, PWK, MDW, and even Toronto (YYZ) to APF nonstop with a full cabin. Nassau, Great Exuma, and Turks and Caicos are all easy outbound legs.
Baggage volume at 90 cubic feet is real midsize territory and matters for a Naples family trip where clubs, tennis gear, and a week of clothing all need to fit. That is the practical difference between the Excel/XLS and a CJ3 on the same TEB-APF trip.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Cessna Citation Excel / XLS run $4,500 to $5,800 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
For a TEB-to-APF winter leg the Excel/XLS typically bills 3.0 to 3.5 flight hours nonstop.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation III
- Cessna Citation VII
- Embraer Legacy 450
- Falcon 20
- Gulfstream G100 / G150 / IAI Astra SPX
- Hawker 750
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation Excel / XLS charter in or out of Naples, head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.