Gulfstream bumped Bombardier as the most used large private jet in 2020 while holding onto the top spot in super long-range private jets, according to Argus TRAQPak
Textron Aviation’s Citation Excel/XLS, Mustang, and King Air 200 were the most flown aircraft in their respective categories
Gulfstream Aerospace had the most popular large cabin and super long-range private jets in 2020, according to just-released data from Argus TRAQPak.
At the same time, Textron Aviation saw three of its business aircraft take the top spot in three of the eight categories. Its Beechcraft King Air 200 was the most flown multi-engine turboprop. The Cessna Citation Mustang was the most popular very light jet. Its Citation Excel/XLS/XLS+ won the midsize private jet category.
Citation XLS+ profile, including current pricing, manufacturing dates, cabin size and passenger capacity, range, speed, baggage space, fractional ownership and jet card options
Cessna Citation XLS+ Facts
This midsize Citation XLS + (from 2008 and ongoing) follows the Citation XLS (2004 to 2009) and Excel (1998 to 2004), and popularity is in its fleet size. There are over 800 of the types active today, according to Amstat.
On the used market, used XLS+ models can be found starting at $9 million while the Excel variety goes for under $2 million.
Manufacturing Dates
Production Start: 2008
Production Ends: Ongoing
Cabin Category
Midsize although NetJets sells the XLS it as a light jet in its jet card and fractional programs
Fleet Size
As of December 2019, Amstat lists 246 Citation XLS+ in service, 328 of the XLS, and 369 of the Excel variety.
Citation XLS+ Cabin Size and Passengers
Cessna Citation XLS in NetJets’ seven-seat configuration
After its sponsorship of Kentucky Derby Triple Crown winner Justify, Wheels Up is betting that the golfing legends will get its brand in front of affluent consumers
Pay-as-you-go jet card provider Wheels Up and Turner Ignite Sports today announced a marketing partnership as part of Capital One’s The Match: Tiger vs. Phil, the pay-per-view event featuring Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson later today. Capital One’s The Match: Tiger vs. Phil live coverage on Turner Sports begins at 2 pm EST. Wheels Up sponsored Justify for the third leg of the Triple Crown earlier this year.
In 2017, Wheels Up continued its prolific fundraising. In 2018 it’s expanding its reach with a Citation X fleet. Now it confirms an IPO may be on the way.
Kenny Dichter, the founder and CEO of Wheels Up, has carved a preeminent spot for himself in the world of business aviation. In 2001 he approached then NetJets Chairman and CEO Richard Santulli with the idea he would buy shares in aircraft from the Warren Buffett owned fractional aircraft operator and then resell them in 25-hour chunks as jet cards. At the time, there was just a handful of players in that young jet card segment. Fractional shares start at 50 hours, so the idea was that Marquis Jet Partners would act as an entry point funneling customers to NetJets as their private flying increased. It did, but it also opened up a new market – affluent individuals and companies that didn’t want to commit to the then five-year contracts that fractional ownership entailed or didn’t anticipate needing 50 hours. It was easy. When you went through your 25 hours, you would call up and buy 25 more hours. There were no monthly management fees. When you flew, you paid.
