Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Embraer Praetor 500
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360 are pressurized twin‑turboprop aircraft typically used for short to medium regional missions, while the Embraer Praetor 500 is a super‑midsize business jet designed for faster, higher‑altitude, longer‑range travel. In category terms, the King Air 260 is a light business turboprop, the King Air 360 is a larger, more premium turboprop in the same family, and the Praetor 500 sits in the super‑midsize jet class with transcontinental capability. For range, the King Air 260 generally supports roughly 1,700–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions, the King Air 360 is in a similar ballpark (often around 1,800 nm), while the Praetor 500 typically offers about 3,300–3,400 nautical miles, enabling longer nonstop city pairs. Passenger capacity is commonly up to about 7–9 passengers in King Air 260 configurations, about 8–9 (sometimes up to 10) in King Air 360 layouts, and typically 8–9 passengers in the Praetor 500, with some layouts accommodating up to 10.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Embraer Praetor 500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.20 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir 350i | Praetor 500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1560 | 3340 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.53 | $ 0.86 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5145 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,311 | $ 2,779 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 312 | 466 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $7,650,000 | $16,995,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Optional | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | 9.7 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Optional | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | 27110 |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Connectivity | — | — | Gogo AVANCE L5 |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 5800 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | PT6A-60A | HTF7500E |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 850 | 1050 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 18 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 539 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 6540 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 46.7 | 64.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 70.5 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 6.9 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 6 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 20.6 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.4 | 21.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.7 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 19.5 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 71 | 40 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 110 |