Aircraft
Textron Aviation Unveils Ascend as Latest in XL Family
The new Ascend adds another jet to Textron Aviation's family of business jets with Garmin G5000 flight decks.
Textron Ascend business jet
The Citation Ascend breathes new life into the 560XL family. (All photos: Textron Aviation)

Textron Aviation took the wraps off the latest iteration of its popular 560XL family—the Cessna Citation Ascend—on Monday at EBACE 2023, announcing major upgrades to extend the midsize twinjet’s production run well into the future. Key features of the $16.725 million airplane include Garmin G5000 avionics, autothrottles, more powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PW545D engines, a higher maximum takeoff weight (mtow) and payload, increased range, flat cabin floor, and other cabin amenities. The Ascend is expected to enter service in early 2025.

According to Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper, the 560XL “is the most successful business jet family in history." The company has delivered more than 1,000 560XLs during the past 25 years.