Monarch Air Group arranges Citation Ascend charter flights across the US and abroad with FAA Part 135 operators and their foreign-certificated equivalents. Our team is available around the clock to plan your trip and send a quote.
The Citation Ascend is Cessna’s newest midsize jet. It’s the latest version of the Citation XLS family, and it entered service in January 2026. It seats up to 12 passengers and flies up to 1,940 nm (about 2,230 miles), which covers most trips east of the Rockies without a fuel stop.
Cessna Citation Ascend Charter Cost
The Ascend is a new model, so just a few are available for charter right now. The price will depend on the aircraft you choose, where it’s based and your travel dates.
Charter a Cessna Citation Ascend for Private Flights:
When the Citation Ascend Is the Right Choice
The Ascend works best for flights of two to four hours, such as New York to Florida or Chicago to the Bahamas.
By Textron’s numbers, the Ascend needs 3,660 ft of runway to take off at maximum weight. That opens up smaller regional airports, which are often closer to where you’re going.
The cabin is much quieter than in earlier XLS models, and the windows are nearly 15% larger, so there’s more daylight on board.
For coast-to-coast trips, plan on a fuel stop. Los Angeles to New York is about 2,150 nm, more than the Ascend’s range, so a super midsize jet such as the Challenger 3500 may suit you better.
Citation Ascend Range, Speed and Typical Routes
With four passengers and standard fuel reserves, the Ascend can fly about 1,940 nm at high-speed cruise, according to Textron. Its top cruise speed is 441 knots (about 507 mph).
That’s far enough to fly from New York to Aspen (around 1,560 nm) without stopping. A shorter trip, such as Teterboro to Miami (about 950 nm), takes roughly two and a half hours.
With full fuel tanks, the Ascend can carry about 900 lb of passengers and bags, according to Textron. On a long trip with a full cabin, that usually means a fuel stop.
Citation Ascend Cabin, Interior and Baggage
You can control the lights, temperature, window shades and entertainment wirelessly from your seat, and every seat has a power outlet. Depending on the aircraft, you may also get Wi-Fi and extras like electric lumbar support and footrests.
Baggage space and seat count differ from jet to jet, so we’ll confirm both for yours. Mention golf bags or skis when you ask for a quote.
Cessna Citation Ascend Specifications
| Specification | Citation Ascend |
|---|---|
| Category | Midsize Jet |
| Passengers | Up to 12 |
| Range | 1,940 nm (4 passengers, high-speed cruise, NBAA IFR reserves) |
| Maximum cruise speed | 441 knots |
| Maximum altitude | 45,000 ft |
| Full-fuel payload | 900 lb |
| Cabin height | 5 ft 0 in (flat floor); 5 ft 8 in (optional dropped aisle) |
| Cabin width | 5 ft 6 in |
| Cabin length | 18 ft 6 in |
| Takeoff field length | 3,660 ft (maximum takeoff weight) |
| Engines | Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW545D |
| Avionics | Garmin G5000 with autothrottles |
Citation Ascend vs. Citation XLS Gen2
The Ascend is the newer version of the XLS Gen2, with the same cabin width and length. It flies about 190 nm farther, and its cabin is quieter, with bigger windows.
Headroom is lower, though. The Ascend’s standard flat floor gives 5 ft, compared with 5 ft 8 in in the XLS Gen2, so taller passengers may prefer the older jet unless the Ascend has the optional dropped aisle.
| Specification | Citation Ascend | Citation XLS Gen2 |
|---|---|---|
| Range (Textron figure, 4 passengers) | 1,940 nm | 1,750 nm |
| Cabin height | 5 ft 0 in (flat floor) or 5 ft 8 in (dropped aisle) | 5 ft 8 in (dropped aisle) |
| Cabin width x length | 5 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in | 5 ft 6 in x 18 ft 6 in |
| Takeoff field length (maximum weight) | 3,660 ft | 3,600 ft |
| Autothrottles | Yes | No |
For other aircraft in this class, see our mid-size jets.