Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Citation M2
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop aircraft aimed at short‑to‑medium regional missions, typically offering roughly 1,500–1,700 nautical miles of range and seating commonly configured for about 7–9 passengers, depending on interior layout. The Beechcraft King Air Denali is a newer, larger single‑engine turboprop designed to bridge high‑end turboprop utility with near‑light‑jet comfort; published targets place its range around 1,600 nautical miles, with typical seating in the 6–9 passenger class, again dependent on configuration. The Cessna Citation M2 is a very light jet, oriented toward faster point‑to‑point travel rather than short‑field utility; it generally carries about 5–7 passengers and delivers roughly 1,000–1,200 nautical miles of range. In category terms, the King Air 260 emphasizes proven twin‑engine turboprop capability and flexibility, the Denali targets modern single‑turboprop efficiency with a larger cabin feel, and the Citation M2 prioritizes jet speed and altitude for shorter business trips.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Citation M2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | $ 3.45 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | M2 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 1400 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.58 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | 3810 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | $ 1,395 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 404 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $5,150,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | 8.5 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | 22027 |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | FJ44-1AP-21 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | ISA + 7 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | 492 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 1965 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | — | 516 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 42.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 47.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | 11 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 4.65 | 14 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | 8.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 48 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | 0.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 46 |