The Citation Excel is a midsize business jet built for trips up to about 2,000 nautical miles

The Cessna Citation Excel is a twin-engine jet manufactured by Textron Aviation, designed to carry up to eight passengers plus two crew members. It entered service in 1998 and remains in production today, making it one of the most common midsize jets in the fractional ownership and charter markets. The aircraft cruises at around 450 knots (about 518 mph) and can operate from runways as short as 3,000 feet, which means it can reach smaller regional airports that larger jets cannot.

The Excel's range of roughly 2,000 nautical miles makes it suitable for cross-country trips within North America but not for transatlantic flights. Fuel capacity is approximately 5,435 pounds, and the aircraft is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada engines. Operating costs run between $3,500 and $4,500 per flight hour depending on fuel prices, maintenance reserves, and crew expenses — a figure that matters if you are considering charter or fractional ownership.

Key Takeaways

  • The Citation Excel seats eight passengers and cruises at 450 knots, making it suitable for business trips of up to 2,000 nautical miles.
  • It can operate from runways shorter than 3,000 feet, which gives it access to regional airports that larger jets cannot reach.
  • Operating costs typically range from $3,500 to $4,500 per flight hour, depending on fuel, maintenance, and crew.
  • The Excel competes directly with the Bombardier Learjet 60 and the Hawker 800, which have similar passenger capacity and range.

How the Excel's cabin and range compare to other midsize jets

The Citation Excel's cabin is 47 feet long and 7 feet 4 inches wide, giving it more interior space than smaller light jets but less than super-midsize or heavy jets. Pressurization reaches 8,000 feet at cruise altitude, meaning cabin altitude stays comfortable even at 41,000 feet. The cabin includes a galley, lavatory, and seating that can be configured for different mission types — some owners arrange it for eight passengers, others for four passengers with a sleeping berth.

When compared to the Bombardier Learjet 60, the Excel offers more cabin width and a slightly longer range, though the Learjet is faster. The Hawker 800, another direct competitor, has similar speed and range but a narrower cabin. The Embraer Phenom 300, a newer design, offers better fuel efficiency and a more modern avionics suite, though it typically costs more to purchase. The choice between these aircraft usually comes down to how much cabin comfort matters versus acquisition cost and operating expenses.

Engines, performance, and what runway length means in practice

The Excel uses two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW535A engines, each producing 3,635 pounds of thrust. This gives the aircraft a maximum cruise altitude of 43,000 feet and a climb rate of about 3,500 feet per minute. The 3,000-foot runway requirement is significant because it means the Excel can depart from airports like Teterboro (New Jersey), Santa Monica (California), and many regional airports that lack the 5,000+ foot runways required by larger jets.

Takeoff distance varies with weight and temperature — a fully loaded Excel on a hot day may need closer to 4,500 feet, while a lightly loaded aircraft in cool conditions might need only 2,800 feet. Landing distance is typically around 2,500 feet. This flexibility makes the Excel popular for operators who need to reach smaller cities or private airstrips without deadheading to a major hub.

Fractional ownership and charter costs for the Citation Excel

Fractional ownership programs like NetJets and Flexjet offer shares in Citation Excels, typically in 1/16th or 1/8th increments. A 1/16th share usually requires an upfront purchase of $1.5 million to $2.5 million, plus monthly management fees and per-flight hour charges. The per-flight-hour cost in a fractional program typically ranges from $3,500 to $4,500, which includes fuel, crew, maintenance, and insurance.

Charter flights on a Citation Excel cost between $4,000 and $6,000 per flight hour through most major charter brokers, though prices vary by market and season. A four-hour flight from New York to Miami might cost $16,000 to $24,000 all-in. Charter is useful for occasional travelers who do not want the commitment of ownership or a fractional share, but the per-hour cost is higher because the charter company must cover its own overhead and profit margin.

Maintenance, inspections, and what ownership actually requires

Citation Excels require annual inspections at minimum, plus 100-hour inspections if the aircraft flies more than 100 hours in a calendar year. Major overhauls of the engines are typically due around 5,000 flight hours, which can cost $500,000 to $1 million per engine depending on the shop and whether parts are overhauled or replaced. Routine maintenance — oil changes, filter replacements, system checks — runs $1,500 to $3,000 per flight hour as a reserve.

The Excel has a good parts supply because thousands are in service, and Textron Aviation maintains a robust support network. Unscheduled maintenance does happen — avionics repairs, hydraulic system work, or landing gear issues — and these can ground the aircraft for days or weeks. Owners typically budget 10 to 15 percent of the aircraft's value annually for all maintenance and reserves combined.

Avionics, cockpit systems, and what has changed over time

Early Citation Excels (1998–2005) came equipped with Honeywell Primus 1000 or Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics, depending on the year and customer preference. Newer aircraft (2005 onward) feature the Garmin G5000 integrated flight deck, which combines autopilot, navigation, and engine management on large touchscreen displays. The G5000 is significantly easier to use and requires less pilot workload, which is why many owners retrofit older Excels with it — a retrofit costs $800,000 to $1.2 million.

The cockpit is designed for two pilots and includes a full autopilot, terrain awareness and warning system (TAWS), and traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS). Older Excels may lack some of these systems or have older versions, which is why the year of manufacture and avionics package matter when comparing used aircraft prices.

Used market, resale value, and what to look for when buying

A used Citation Excel from 2005 typically sells for $8 million to $12 million, depending on total flight hours, maintenance history, and avionics. Aircraft with fewer than 3,000 total hours and recent major overhauls command higher prices. A 2015 model with 4,000 hours might sell for $15 million to $18 million. The newest models (2020 and later) with low hours can exceed $20 million.

When evaluating a used Excel, check the maintenance logs for compliance with all airworthiness directives, review the engine overhaul status, and have a pre-purchase inspection performed by an independent shop. Aircraft that have been in charter service may have higher utilization and more wear than owner-flown aircraft, though they often have better maintenance records because charter operators are regulated more strictly. Financing is available through aviation lenders, typically at 60 to 70 percent loan-to-value, with terms of 10 to 15 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many passengers can a Citation Excel carry?

The Excel is certified for eight passengers plus two crew members. Most configurations seat six to eight passengers comfortably, depending on how the cabin is arranged. Some owners configure it with a sleeping berth for two, which reduces the passenger count to four or five.

Can a Citation Excel fly across the Atlantic?

No. The Excel's range of about 2,000 nautical miles is sufficient for cross-country trips within North America but not for transatlantic flights. A Cessna Citation X or Bombardier Global would be needed for that mission.

What is the difference between the Citation Excel and the Citation XLS?

The XLS is a stretched version of the Excel with a longer fuselage, slightly more cabin volume, and the ability to carry up to nine passengers. It has a similar range and engines but costs more to purchase and operate. The XLS is better for operators who need maximum cabin space; the Excel is better for those prioritizing lower operating costs.

How much does it cost to charter a Citation Excel for a one-way trip?

Charter costs typically run $4,000 to $6,000 per flight hour. A 1,000-nautical-mile trip (about 2.5 flight hours) would cost roughly $10,000 to $15,000 plus any positioning fees if the aircraft must deadhead to reach you.

Is the Citation Excel still being manufactured?

Yes. Textron Aviation continues to produce the Citation Excel and its variants. New aircraft are built to order and typically take 18 to 24 months to deliver, with prices starting around $20 million depending on configuration and avionics.