Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft King Air 260, Beechcraft King Air Denali, and Cessna Grand Caravan EX occupy different turboprop niches. In category, the King Air 260 is a pressurized, twin‑engine business/utility turboprop optimized for corporate travel and faster point‑to‑point missions. The Denali is also a pressurized turboprop but as a newer‑generation, single‑engine design aimed at higher-end business use with modern systems and performance; certification and final specifications may vary by entry-into-service configuration. The Grand Caravan EX is a rugged, single‑engine utility turboprop, often unpressurized, valued for short/rough-field capability, cargo flexibility, and regional shuttle work. In range, the King Air 260 and Denali generally target longer business legs than the Grand Caravan EX, with typical published maximum ranges for the King Air 260 and Denali in the roughly 1,500–1,600+ nautical mile class depending on payload and reserves, while the Grand Caravan EX is typically around the 900–1,000 nautical mile class. For passenger capacity, the King Air 260 commonly seats about 7–9, the Denali is typically configured around 6–9, and the Grand Caravan EX is commonly configured up to about 9 passengers (with higher-density commuter layouts possible in some operations).
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.08 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | GE® Aerospace | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | KingAir Denali | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1600 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3280 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,111 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 285 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $4,150,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 11 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 11065 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | Catalyst™ | PT6A-140 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | — | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | 867 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | — | ISA + 24 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | — | 335 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 14.86 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 54.3 | 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 | 12.6 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 4.65 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 12.6 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | 48 | 32 |