Midsize jets are where Bahamas charter starts covering the whole US East Coast nonstop, with a stand-up cabin and real baggage room. The Cessna Citation Excel / XLS is a practical fit for a small party crossing to the islands together.
Cessna (Textron Aviation) introduced the Cessna Citation Excel / XLS in 1998. Every Cessna Citation Excel / XLS we arrange flies with an operator certified under FAR Part 135, the FAA rules for on-demand, for-hire charter.
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 the Bahamas
A stand-up cabin changes a three-hour sector completely, and this is the category where Bahamas trips from the northern US stop feeling long.
For a family or a small team heading to the islands for a week, it is usually the smallest aircraft that does the trip without compromise.
On the published 1,858 nautical miles of range, allowing for winds and reserves, Dallas, Toronto, and Chicago sit inside a nonstop leg from Nassau. Payload and weather on the day decide the real limit, and the operator runs those numbers before the trip is confirmed.
Gallery
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; reports may be provided on request.
- 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 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Other Midsize Jets Available
- Cessna Citation III
- Cessna Citation VII
- Falcon 20
- Gulfstream G100 / G150 / IAI Astra SPX
- Hawker 750
- Hawker 850XP
The full midsize jets category page lists every midsize jet we arrange for Bahamas trips.
Contact
For a quote on a Cessna Citation Excel / XLS charter to or from the Bahamas, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or visit 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.