Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and King Air 360ER are pressurized, twin‑engine turboprops in the light business/utility category, while the Cessna Grand Caravan EX is a larger, unpressurized single‑engine utility turboprop optimized for simple, rugged operations. On range, the King Air 360ER is the long‑leg option, designed for extended missions and typically offering roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions. The King Air 260 generally sits below it, commonly around 1,200–1,700 nautical miles, again varying with load and reserves. The Grand Caravan EX’s range is usually shorter, often about 900–1,200 nautical miles, but it trades that for flexibility into shorter or rougher strips and lower operating complexity. For passenger capacity, both King Air models are typically configured for about 6–9 passengers in corporate layouts, with cabin comfort aided by pressurization. The Grand Caravan EX commonly carries more people in commuter configurations, often around 9–14 passengers, favoring high‑utilization regional transport over business‑class comfort.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.37 | $ 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 350ER | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 2338 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 6585 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,324 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 303 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $8,750,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | Yes (Belted 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 | Refreshment Center | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 8 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | — | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Optional | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| 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 | 775 | 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 |