Cessna Citation Excel midsize charter jet parked on the ramp, the original 560XL available to charter from $2,800 per hour

Charter a Citation Excel Midsize Jet

PassengersRangeCruise SpeedCharter FromBest For
Up to 91,860 nm (2,141 mi)430 ktas (495 mph)$3,500/hrProven midsize performance and genuine short-field access

Note: The hourly rate is not the total trip cost. Final pricing includes landing and handling fees, crew, overflight permits, and taxes, plus variable costs such as repositioning, de-icing, wait time, and overnights. Contact Hogani Jets for an accurate all-in quote.

Charter of a Citation Excel starts at $3,500–$5,000 per flight hour. Certified in 1998, the Excel is the original 560XL, the aircraft that launched a family still in production today. It seats up to nine passengers with a range of 1,860 nautical miles and a 430-knot cruise speed. Twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545A engines and genuine short-field capability define this generation. Hogani Jets coordinates each Citation Excel charter through licensed Part 135 operators.

Cessna had over 200 orders before the Excel even received its FAA certification in 1998. That kind of anticipation is rare, and the aircraft delivered on it.

More than 300 were built before Cessna moved on to the XLS in 2004. The family the Excel started is still in production today, more than 25 years later.

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Cessna announced the project at the NBAA convention in October 1994. The prototype first flew on February 29, 1996, and the FAA certified the aircraft in April 1998. Twin PW545A engines and a Honeywell Primus 1000 cockpit define this generation.

SpecificationCitation Excel
ManufacturerCessna (Textron Aviation)
Aircraft CategoryMidsize jet (twin-engine)
Passenger CapacityUp to 9
Cabin Length18.5 ft (5.64 m)
Cabin Width5.5 ft (1.68 m)
Cabin Height5.7 ft (1.74 m)
Cabin Pressurization6,600 ft cabin altitude
LavatoryEnclosed
Baggage Capacity~93 cu ft
Max Range1,860 nm (2,141 mi)
Max Cruise Speed430 ktas (495 mph)
Service Ceiling45,000 ft
Max Takeoff Weight~20,000 lbs
Typical Takeoff Distance~3,590 ft
Typical Landing Distance~3,180 ft
Engines2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545A
AvionicsHoneywell Primus 1000
Hourly Charter Rate$3,500–$5,000

The Excel was not designed from a blank sheet. Cessna took the Citation X's cabin, itself derived from the Citation III, and shortened it by about two feet.

That shortened cabin was mated to a wing based on the Citation S/II, using a supercritical airfoil. The tail came from the Citation V. Three proven designs combined into one genuinely new aircraft.

The Excel is the first chapter in a family that continues today. Each generation kept the core airframe and made one focused change.

GenerationYearWhat Changed
Citation Excel1998The original 560XL; PW545A engines, Honeywell Primus 1000 three-tube cockpit
Citation XLS2004Glass cockpit upgrade on the Primus 1000 platform; uprated PW545B engines
Citation XLS+2008FADEC engine controls, PW545C engines, revised nose, Collins Pro Line 21 avionics
Citation XLS Gen22022Clean-sheet Garmin G5000 flight deck; refreshed cabin materials and lighting
Citation Ascend2025Flat cabin floor, enlarged windows, swiveling seats, further avionics updates

If a newer generation is quoted, see our separate Citation XLS Gen2 page for its own specs and pricing.

Short-field performance and a steep-approach capability let the Excel access airports many midsize jets cannot reach. Cannes, Lugano, and Bern are real examples, along with London City Airport's demanding steep approach.
This access matters more than a spec sheet number. It puts passengers closer to their actual destination instead of a distant regional hub.

A midsize jet trades some efficiency for more cabin room, range, and passenger capacity than a light jet offers.

  • More cabin room: a genuine stand-up cabin and generous baggage capacity for its size.
  • More seats: up to 9 passengers versus 4 to 6 for most light jets.
  • More range: 1,860 nautical miles versus 1,100 to 1,400 nm for most light jets.
  • Best mission: regional and transcontinental trips for groups wanting proven performance and short-field access.

The Citation Excel can carry up to nine passengers, though standard layouts usually seat eight in a four-seat club plus two individual forward seats configuration.

  • Large windows and reclining seats provide genuine legroom throughout the cabin.
  • A minibar area near the cockpit is standard on most configurations.
  • An enclosed lavatory supports longer trips.
  • Some aircraft have been retrofitted through the Excel Eagle interior refresh program.

The Excel performs best on regional and transcontinental routes where cabin comfort and short-field access matter alongside range.

RouteICAO CodesEst. Flight TimeNotes
New York to MiamiKTEB to KMIA~3hWell within comfortable non-stop range
Los Angeles to DenverKVNY to KDEN~2h 15mHigh-elevation destination
Dallas to AspenKDAL to KASE~2h 20mGenuine short-field capability opens up mountain airports
Miami to the BahamasKOPF to MYNN~30mShort international leg

Citation Excel charter rates typically run $3,500–$5,000 per flight hour, with variation by operator and aircraft equipment. Total one-way trip pricing depends on route distance, positioning, and demand. 

Contact Hogani Jets at charter@hoganijets.com or +1-855-660-0573 for a current quote.

RouteEst. One-Way PriceNotes
New York to Miami$16,500 to $23,000Well within comfortable non-stop range
Los Angeles to Denver$15,900 to $22,300High-elevation destination
Dallas to Aspen$16,200 to $24,700Genuine short-field capability opens up mountain airports
Miami to the Bahamas$11,800 to $17,500Short international leg
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The hourly rate covers core operational costs. Additional fees are quoted separately on every trip.

  • Aircraft operation: fuel, crew, and maintenance are included in the hourly rate.
  • Two certificated pilots: standard for Citation Excel charter operations.
  • Federal excise tax and segment fees: federally mandated, quoted separately.
  • Positioning costs: charged if the aircraft must reposition to your departure airport.
  • International handling fees: apply on Caribbean, Canada, and other international hops.

Contact Hogani Jets for current pricing and details.

The most common cross-shop comparisons are the Citation XLS Gen2 and the Hawker 750. The XLS Gen2 is its own newest-generation successor; the Hawker 750 is a similarly sized midsize jet. The Excel wins on hourly cost.

SpecificationCitation ExcelHawker 750Citation XLS Gen2
TypeMidsize jetMidsize jetMidsize jet
PassengersUp to 9Up to 8Up to 9
AvionicsHoneywell Primus 1000Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21Garmin G5000 (clean-sheet)
Range1,860 nm2,100 nm2,200 nm
Cruise Speed430 ktas (495 mph)430 ktas (494 mph)442 ktas (509 mph)
Hourly Rate$3,500–$5,000$3,700–$5,200$4,000–$5,500
Best Use CaseLower cost, proven original platformLongest cabin, most rangeNewest cockpit and cabin tech

Every Citation Excel charter operator's Part 135 certificate, insurance coverage, and safety record is independently reviewed before booking. 

The Excel carries Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics, with some individual aircraft upgraded to Garmin G5000. Hogani Jets does not operate the aircraft. 

Every charter is conducted by a licensed Part 135 direct air carrier under that carrier's independent operational control.

The Excel is a strong fit on regional and transcontinental legs where short-field access matters most. The following Hogani Jets route pages cover its most relevant charter corridors.

RelationshipAircraftWhen to Consider
Newest-Generation SuccessorCitation XLS Gen2The same core platform with a clean-sheet modern cockpit
Comparable Midsize AlternativeHawker 750More range and the largest cabin in its class
Lighter Jet AlternativeFalcon 10A faster, smaller light jet at a lower rate
Vintage AlternativeDassault Falcon 20An earlier-era midsize jet with a genuinely different design

Ready to book a Citation Excel charter or check availability? Contact Hogani Jets for a tailored quote. 

Call +1-855-660-0573 or email charter@hoganijets.com, and our team will coordinate the right aircraft and operator for your trip.

Reviewed by Matt Hogan — Founder, Hogani Jets & Aviation Specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Citation Excel charter rates typically run $3,500–$5,000 per flight hour. Final cost depends on route, positioning, and season. You can expect pricing for short legs to begin at $11,000 and for longer regional legs, $21,500+.

The Excel is the original 1998 platform with Honeywell Primus 1000 avionics. The XLS, XLS+, and XLS Gen2 each refined the engines and cockpit over 24 years. The core airframe stayed the same throughout.

The Excel seats up to nine passengers, typically eight in a four-chair club and pair configuration.

Its short-field and steep-approach performance opens up airports like Cannes, Lugano, and Bern. London City is another real example most midsize jets cannot reach directly.

Published figures show up to 1,860 nautical miles. Realistic range with a full passenger load runs somewhat lower, depending on weather and routing.

Yes, at approximately 5 feet 7 inches of cabin height, most passengers can stand comfortably.

Yes. The Citation Excel's widespread charter fleet presence creates empty-leg opportunities at meaningful savings off standard one-way rates. Availability is short-notice and date-fixed, so Hogani Jets recommends flexibility when chasing empty-leg pricing.

No. Hogani Jets is an air charter broker and does not own or operate aircraft. All Citation Excel charters are facilitated through licensed Part 135 direct air carriers, holding full operational and regulatory control.

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Planning your next private flight? Share your journey, preferred aircraft, dates and requirements, and the Hogani Jets team will send a tailored set of quotes.

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Last Updated: 04 Nov 2026, 01:30 PM ET