Cessna Citation XLS: how 599 jets are really flown
The busiest 5% made more than 34 flights a month and the quietest 5% fewer than 3: over 11 times as many, on the same type.
The harder end, one aircraft in twenty, is at 84% or more; the easier end near none.
The hardest-worked 5% log 34 flights a month or more; the easiest-used, 3 or less. The middle aircraft sits at 8.
The harder end, one aircraft in twenty, is at 3,123 ft or more; the easier end at 737 ft or less.
Fatigue
What each landing and pressurization cycle costs the structure: landings per hour and short hops.
The middle Citation XLS flies 1.3 hours for every landing. One in twenty lands every 0.9 hours or sooner, the most cycles for its time.
Middle half 1.2–1.5 : 1Harder end: 5% at 0.9 : 1 or lessEasier end: 5% at 1.9 : 1 or more
Middle half 33–51%Harder end: 5% at 71% or moreEasier end: 5% at 19% or less
Middle half 292–475 nmLowest 5%: 183 nm or lessHighest 5%: 696 nm or more
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Spread of trip lengths
All 599 Citation XLSsThe data behind it
Every measure for the 599 North America Citation XLSs, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026.| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Hours per landing Each aircraft’s average flight hours per landing | 1.3 : 1 | 1.2–1.5 : 1 |
| Short hops Share of legs under 300 nm | 43% | 33–51% |
| Leg length Median leg | 368 nm | 292–475 nm |
Corrosion
What the air around it does overnight: salt, damp and freeze–thaw.
The middle Citation XLS spends 1% of its nights within 2 km of the coast. One in twenty spends 14% or more of them there.
Middle half 0–4%Harder end: 5% at 14% or moreEasier end: 5% at 0%
Middle half 5.1–8.2 hHarder end: 5% at 10.8 h or moreEasier end: 5% at 2.8 h or less
Middle half 3–20%Harder end: 5% at 30% or moreEasier end: 5% at 0%
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Salt air across the fleet
391 Citation XLSsThe data behind it
Every measure for the 391 of the 599 North America Citation XLSs with enough nights at known fields, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026 (18 on their record since 1 Jan 2025: too few in the 12 months).| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Salt air Nights within 2 km of the coast | 1% | 0–4% |
| Near the coast Nights within 10 km of the coast | 6% | 1–33% |
| Damp air Hours a day at 80% humidity or more, above freezing | 6.8 h | 5.1–8.2 h |
| Freeze–thaw Nights that froze and thawed within the day | 9% | 3–20% |
| Moisture in the air Average absolute humidity overnight | 9.5 g/m³ | 7.7–11.0 g/m³ |
Engines and brakes
What departures ask of engines, brakes and tires: heat and height, and runway length.
The middle Citation XLS leaves from a short runway on 4% of its departures. One in twenty does on 13% or more.
Middle half 2–6%Harder end: 5% at 13% or moreEasier end: 5% at 0%
Middle half 1–9%Harder end: 5% at 24% or moreEasier end: 5% at 0%
Middle half 1,287–1,987 ftHarder end: 5% at 3,123 ft or moreEasier end: 5% at 737 ft or less
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Runway margin at departure
76,784 departuresThe data behind it
Every measure for the 599 North America Citation XLSs, 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026 (3 on their record since 1 Jan 2025: too few departures in the 12 months).| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Short runways Departures where the longest runway was under 1.25× the takeoff distance | 4% | 2–6% |
| Hot, high takeoffs Departures at 5,000 ft density altitude or more | 4% | 1–9% |
| Density altitude Typical density altitude at takeoff | 1,612 ft | 1,287–1,987 ft |
Utilization
How steadily the fleet is used: flights, flying days and estimated hours.
The middle Citation XLS made 8 flights a month. The busiest 5% made 34 or more, the quietest 3 or fewer.
Middle half 4.7–18.2Harder end: 5% at 33.8 or moreEasier end: 5% at 3.0 or less
Middle half 3.5–10.4Harder end: 5% at 15.9 or moreEasier end: 5% at 2.4 or less
Middle half 77–284 hHarder end: 5% at ≈545 h or moreEasier end: 5% at ≈46 h or less
Context, not graded: the tint marks the harder and easier end of the fleet.
Month by month
12 monthsMedian flights per aircraft that flew that month · darker bar is the busiest month, May 2026
The data behind it
Every measure for the 599 North America Citation XLSs, every active aircraft (no 40% tracking floor here: on this type it would change which aircraft are compared, not just drop undercounted ones), 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026.| Measure | Fleet median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| Flights a month In the months it flew | 8.3 | 4.7–18.2 |
| Days flown a month Days with at least one flight | 5.6 | 3.5–10.4 |
| Estimated hours a year From time in the air | ≈135 h | 77–284 h |
Buying, selling or financing a Citation XLS?
See where your Citation XLS sits in the fleet.
Enter a tail number to place it against these 599 aircraft. TailCheck grades it on Fatigue, Corrosion, Engines and brakes, and Utilization, with every percentile shown.
Where Citation XLSs are based and fly
Scottsdale is home to more Citation XLSs than any other field, 15 of the 429 with a home base.
Hector–St. Paul Downtown is the busiest route: 248 flights by 5 different aircraft.
Where Citation XLSs are based
| Field | Share | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| Scottsdale | 15 | |
| Dallas Love | 13 | |
| Birmingham-Shuttlesworth | 9 | |
| Flying Cloud | 8 | |
| Georgetown | 8 | |
| John Wayne -Orange | 8 |
Busiest Citation XLS routes
| Between | Flights |
|---|---|
| Hector ⇄ St. Paul Downtown | 248 flights |
| Washington Dulles ⇄ Teterboro | 214 |
| Lawrence G. Hanscom ⇄ Teterboro | 202 |
| Scottsdale ⇄ John Wayne -Orange | 200 |
| McCarran ⇄ John Wayne -Orange | 164 |
| McCarran ⇄ Scottsdale | 154 |
Longest Citation XLS flights
| Between | Distance · time |
|---|---|
| Scottsdale → Teterboro | 1,845 nm · 5 h 28 min |
| Phoenix Sky Harbor → Owen Roberts | 1,844 nm · 5 h 08 min |
| San Francisco → John Glenn Columbus | 1,838 nm · 4 h 44 min |
| Norman Y. Mineta San Jose → Dekalb-Peachtree | 1,836 nm · 4 h 41 min |
| Chattanooga Metropolitan → Mahlon Sweet | 1,823 nm · 5 h 45 min |
Busiest Citation XLSs this year
The busiest Citation XLS made 46 flights a month, five times the middle aircraft.
Even the tenth on this list made 37.
Ranked by flights a month · updated monthly
| # | Tail | Flights a month | Estimated hours a year | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | N318MM | 46 | 565 h | Check this tail → |
| 2 | N851JS | 45 | 876 h | Check this tail → |
| 3 | N103ML | 43 | 572 h | Check this tail → |
| 4 | N420DL | 42 | 532 h | Check this tail → |
| 5 | N328RP | 39 | 619 h | Check this tail → |
| 6 | N579QS | 38 | 607 h | Check this tail → |
| 7 | N575QS | 38 | 574 h | Check this tail → |
| 8 | N573QS | 38 | 541 h | Check this tail → |
| 9 | N605TX | 37 | 510 h | Check this tail → |
| 10 | N565QS | 37 | 517 h | Check this tail → |
Citation XLS vs other aircraft of its size
Medians for each North America fleet, same window and method.
It ranks 3rd of 5 types in its size group on flights a month.
| Type | Tracked | Flights a month | Hours a year | Median leg | Hours per landing | Short hops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna Citation XLS | 599 | 8.3 | 135 h | 368 nm | 1.3 : 1 | 43% |
| Hawker 750/850 | 396 | 6.8 | 119 h | 401 nm | 1.4 : 1 | 40% |
| Cessna Citation V Ultra | 380 | 5.2 | 84 h | 315 nm | 1.3 : 1 | 49% |
| Pilatus PC-24 | 151 | 9.5 | 159 h | 361 nm | 1.4 : 1 | 42% |
| Cessna Citation Excel | 54 | 9.2 | 123 h | 359 nm | 1.3 : 1 | 43% |
Citation XLS vs Citation X →Citation XLS vs Phenom 300 →Citation XLS vs PC-24 →
Do older Citation XLSs fly differently?
Age matters: by year built, the median Citation XLS in each band flew between 75 and 181 estimated hours a year.
Show the tableHide the table
| Serial block | Built | Tracked | Hours a year | Median leg | Short hops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 560-5100–5605107 | 1998–00 | 65 | 138 h | 376 nm | 43% |
| 560-5241–5605357 | 2001–03 | 126 | 144 h | 404 nm | 38% |
| 560-5618–5605536 | 2004–06 | 85 | 181 h | 376 nm | 41% |
| 560-5676–560-5767 | 2007–09 | 101 | 133 h | 344 nm | 45% |
| 560-6056–560-6099 | 2010–12 | 39 | 122 h | 365 nm | 43% |
| 560-6141–560-6154 | 2013–15 | 33 | 99 h | 329 nm | 48% |
| 560-6218–560-6240 | 2016–18 | 26 | 90 h | 343 nm | 42% |
| 560-6286–560-6299 | 2019–21 | 26 | 107 h | 343 nm | 44% |
| 560-6322–55010155 | 2022–26 | 25 | 75 h | 318 nm | 48% |
US-registered aircraft only: the FAA registry gives serial number and year of manufacture for 526 of the 599 we track. Built = year of manufacture. Avionics upgrades are fitted by modification and the registry doesn’t show them, so check an aircraft’s records.
Citation XLS vs Citation XLS+: on paper
One page covers both models: the tracking data doesn’t tell them apart.
On paper they differ in weights. Certified figures come from the type certificate data sheet; the rest are the manufacturer’s.
| Measure | Citation XLS | Citation XLS+ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum takeoff weight (certified) | 20,200 lb | 20,200–20,330 lb | UK CAA TCDS UK.TC.A.00087 Issue 2, p.53 — Citation XLS+: 20,200 lb (S/N 560-6001 to 560-6317 and 560-6319 to 560-6321) · 20,330 lb (S/N 560-6318 and 560-6322 and on) |
| Maximum ramp weight (certified) | 20,400 lb | 20,400–20,530 lb | UK CAA TCDS UK.TC.A.00087 Issue 2, p.53 — Citation XLS+: 20,400 lb (S/N 560-6001 to 560-6317 and 560-6319 to 560-6321) · 20,530 lb (S/N 560-6318 and 560-6322 and on) |
| Range (manufacturer) | — | ≈ 2,100 nm | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
| Takeoff distance (manufacturer) | — | 3,560 ft | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
| Passengers | Up to 12 certified | Up to 12 certified | UK CAA TCDS UK.TC.A.00087 Issue 2, p.54 |
| High-speed cruise (manufacturer) | — | 441 kt | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
| Length (manufacturer) | — | 52 ft 6 in | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
| Wingspan (manufacturer) | — | 56 ft 4 in | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
| Height (manufacturer) | — | 17 ft 2 in | Manufacturer (archived spec page, 30 Jul 2021) |
Chartering a Citation XLS
297 of the 599 North America Citation XLSs we track are on our charter list (50%).
Charter aircraft flew a median 284 estimated hours a year on 18 flights a month; the rest flew 88 hours on 5.
Where charter Citation XLSs are based
| Field | Share | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| John Wayne -Orange | 7 | |
| Scottsdale | 6 | |
| Colonel James Jabara | 4 | |
| Dallas Love | 4 | |
| Georgetown | 4 | |
| Iowa City | 4 |
Charter status is our own list, built from FAA records and public listings of charter aircraft. No charter rates: prices depend on the operator and the trip. Check a specific aircraft’s record with its tail number before you book.
Citation XLS questions
How many hours a year does a Citation XLS fly?
The median North America Citation XLS flies about 135 estimated hours a year; the middle half sits between 77 and 284. About 1 in 20 flies more than 545.
How often does a Citation XLS fly?
8 flights a month on 6 flying days at the median. About 1 in 20 makes more than 34 flights a month.
How long is a typical Citation XLS flight?
The median leg is 368 nm. About 1 in 20 aircraft average more than 696 nm a leg.
How often do Citation XLS aircraft use short runways?
At the median, 4% of departures are from fields whose longest runway is under 1.25 times the type’s takeoff distance. About 1 in 20 keep it to 0% or less.
Is a high-hours Citation XLS a bad buy?
Not by itself. High hours on long legs are gentler on the structure than the same hours on short hops. Look at hours per landing and short-hop share alongside hours.
Can a Citation XLS fly across the Atlantic?
Yes. The manufacturer quotes 2,100 nm for the Citation XLS+. In our tracking window, 1 of the 599 North America aircraft flew 2 nonstop crossings between the Americas and Europe or Africa. The busiest were Calgary–Malta (1 flights), Gallatin–Malta (1 flights).
Where are most Citation XLS aircraft based?
In North America, Scottsdale is home to the most, followed by Dallas Love and Birmingham-Shuttlesworth. A base is the field an aircraft touches on most of its flying days, month after month.
Cite this data
The Aircraft Ledger. “Cessna Citation XLS fleet statistics.” Data to 31 July 2026. theaircraftledger.com/aircraft/cessna/citation-xls
Method: Cessna Citation XLS aircraft with most departures in North America and at least 20 tracked flights in the latest twelve full months. Flight measures, bases, routes and rankings use ADS-B tracking 1 Aug 2025 – 31 Jul 2026; corrosion and engines-and-brakes exposure use the same twelve months, or an aircraft’s record since 1 Jan 2025 when it had too few nights or departures in them. Estimated hours from time in the air. Tracking misses some flights, so counts and hours are minimums. ADS-B coverage grew over the window, so we don’t compare one year with the last. Tracking can’t tell one variant from another; the variant split, the busiest table’s variants and the age table use the FAA registry, so they cover US-registered aircraft only. We assume the longest runway at each field, so short-runway figures are conservative. Corrosion measures cover the aircraft we can place on enough nights. Charter status is our own list, built from FAA records and public listings of charter aircraft. About our data