Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
In category, the Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360 are pressurized, twin‑engine turboprop business/utility aircraft aimed at faster, higher‑altitude regional missions, while the Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft optimized for simpler operations, rugged fields, and cargo/short‑hop passenger service. On range, the King Air 360 generally offers the longest reach of the three, followed closely by the King Air 260, with typical figures in the roughly 1,700–1,800 nautical mile class depending on configuration and reserves. The Grand Caravan EX is usually shorter‑range, commonly around the ~900–1,000+ nautical mile class, again varying with payload, fuel, and mission profile. For passenger capacity, the King Air 260 is typically configured around 7–9 passengers, and the King Air 360 commonly seats about 8–10 in executive layouts. The Grand Caravan EX can carry more people in high‑density airline/commuter seating, typically up to about 9–14 passengers depending on interior, making it the capacity leader, though at lower cruise speed and without the same pressurized cabin experience.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | PT6A-140 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | 867 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 24 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | 335 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 32 |