Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360 are twin‑turboprop aircraft typically positioned in the business turboprop category, while the Cessna Citation Sovereign+ and Embraer Praetor 500 are midsize business jets. In range, the King Air 260 is generally suited to shorter regional missions, the King Air 360 stretches that capability somewhat farther, and both are usually outpaced by the jets. The Citation Sovereign+ is designed for longer nonstop trips in the midsize class, and the Praetor 500 is similarly long‑legged, often considered at the top end of midsize in real‑world mission flexibility. In passenger capacity, the King Air 260 commonly seats around six to eight passengers, and the King Air 360 typically accommodates about eight to nine in typical executive layouts. The Citation Sovereign+ generally carries eight to twelve depending on configuration, while the Praetor 500 is commonly arranged for about eight to ten, with high‑comfort cabin options emphasizing stand‑up room and amenities compared with turboprops.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 6.02 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | Sovereign + | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 3138 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 12790 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 2,699 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G5000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 458 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $19,730,000 | $16,995,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 11 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 9.3 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 25230 | 27110 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No | No |
| Connectivity | — | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PW306D | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 6000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 18 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | 1700 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 5907 | 6540 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 63.5 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 72.4 | 70.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 5.7 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 25.3 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 20.4 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 17.4 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 35 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 100 | 110 |