Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation Cj3
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and the Cessna Citation CJ3+ sit in different aircraft categories, which shapes their typical missions. The King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop business aircraft optimized for versatility, short and unimproved runway capability, and efficient regional flying. The Citation CJ3+ is a light business jet focused on higher cruise speeds and jet-class performance for point‑to‑point trips. On range, the CJ3+ generally offers a longer typical business range and maintains higher cruise speeds, making it better suited to longer nonstop legs where time savings matter. The King Air 260’s range is strong for a turboprop and very competitive on shorter sectors, but it is usually chosen more for access and operating flexibility than for maximum distance. On passenger capacity, both can be configured for small business groups, but the King Air 260 commonly seats around seven to nine passengers depending on layout, while the CJ3+ typically seats about six to nine. In practice, the King Air often prioritizes cabin flexibility and baggage/utility capability, whereas the CJ3+ emphasizes a more jet-oriented executive travel experience.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation CJ3+ |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 4.05 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | CJ3+ |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1898 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 5530 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,680 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 415 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $9,915,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.9 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 23586 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-3A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 11 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 703 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 2820 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 624 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 51.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 53 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 15.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 15.2 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 12.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 65 |