AIR.ONE

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.

SpecBeechcraft King Air 260Beechcraft King Air 360Cessna Grand Caravan EX
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 4.30$ 4.20$ 3.15
Min Crew111
Total Seats81010
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerBeechcraftBeechcraftCessna
Aircraft NameKingAir 250KingAir 350iGrand Caravan EX
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)14201560964
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.72$ 0.53$ 0.39
Max Cabin Seats8912
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)376051453332
Standard Cabin Seats688
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,333$ 1,311$ 614
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Rockwell Collins Pro Line FusionRockwell Collins Pro Line FusionGarmin G1000 NXi
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)310312195
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,450,000$7,650,000$2,695,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Lavatory1 FlushingOptionalNo
Min Crew111
Total Seats81010
Max Cabin Seats8912
Lavatory LocationAFTAFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)6.56.5Un-Pressurized
Galley / RefreshmentNoOptionalNo
Standard Cabin Seats688
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)15293
Galley LocationFWD
Cargo DoorYes
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelPT6A-52PT6A-60APT6A-140
TBO (hrs)360036004000
Horsepower8501050867
Flat RatingISA + 37ISA + 10ISA + 24
No. of Engines111
Fuel Capacity (gal)544539335
Dimensions
Length (ft)43.846.741.6
Wingspan (ft)57.957.952.1
Cabin Width (ft)4.54.55.4
Cabin Height (ft)4.84.84.5
Cabin Length (ft)16.719.516.8
Overall Height (ft)14.814.415.1
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)4.14.1
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)16.719.5
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)557132