Textron adds two more Citation Gen2s

October 12, 2021 By Thomas A. Horne

Editor's note: This article was updated October 13 with pricing information as it became available from Textron Aviation.

First came Textron’s Cessna Citation CJ4 Gen2, with its enhanced cabin features. Now, the company’s Citations M2 and XLS will join the Gen2 groundswell, Textron Aviation President and CEO Ron Draper announced October 11 during the National Business Aviation Association Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

The Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 interior includes accent lighting, illuminated cup holders, wireless charging, USB-A ports at each seat position, and more side-ledge storage. Image courtesy of Textron Aviation.

The M2 Gen2, priced at $5.85 million, brings with it new, premium-level interior styling, accent lighting, illuminated cup holders, and wireless charging and USB-A ports at each seat position. Side-ledge storage has also been expanded. Three extra inches of legroom have been added to the co-pilot position, and cabin entry threshold materials have been improved for durability and maintainability.

“Since the Citation M2 was first introduced in 2013, it has quickly become one of our most popular light jet models, in particular with owner/operator customers,” said Christi Tannahill, Textron Aviation senior vice president of customer experience and interior design. “Building on its already outstanding performance capabilities and flexibility, the M2 Gen2 brings the latest cabin amenities and technological advances often found in larger jets to the entry-level light jet segment. Passengers will appreciate the USB-A ports at every cabin seat and the USB-C ports in the club area.”

The new Citation XLS Gen2, priced at $15.5 million, gets its own share of comfort upgrades. It will come with a new lighted airstair door and entry curtain—to keep out precipitation and heat when on the ground—and make the cabin quieter in flight. Six new interior schemes have new styling, individual controls, and a forward couch that allows access to baggage. There’s also a wireless cabin management system with a touch-screen moving map monitor. Like the M2 Gen2, each seat offers wireless charging and USB ports. A speaker-less sound system by Bongiovi Acoustic Labs is available as an option that replaces traditional speakers with transducers attached to the back of aircraft interior panels to conceal the source of the immersive audio.

The series 560 XLS has proved a favorite among fractional and charter operators, with more than 1,000 sold since its introduction 25 years ago.

Draper gave a quick update on the two Textron airplanes now in development. The multi-role Cessna SkyCourier twin-turboprop is “deep into flight certification” and is soon to be signed off. The Beechcraft Denali turboprop single’s GE Catalyst engine is now undergoing test-bed trials, and the first prototype airplane will launch “soon,” he said.

The Citation XLS Gen2 offers six new interior schemes with new styling, individual controls, and a forward couch that allows access to baggage. Image courtesy of Textron Aviation.

Thomas A. Horne

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne has worked at AOPA since the early 1980s. He began flying in 1975 and has an airline transport pilot and flight instructor certificates. He’s flown everything from ultralights to Gulfstreams and ferried numerous piston airplanes across the Atlantic.

Go to Thomas A. Horne's Profile

Topics: National Business Aviation Association, Jet

Textron adds two more Citation Gen2s

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