Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Embraer Phenom 100ev
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop in the utility/business category, typically chosen for short to midrange missions with strong short‑field and rough‑field capability. It generally seats about 6 to 8 passengers in a commuter-style cabin (often up to 9 depending on layout), and offers roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical miles of range depending on load and reserves. The Cessna Citation M2 is a very light jet focused on speed and efficient point‑to‑point travel between paved airports. It commonly carries 4 to 6 passengers (up to 7 in some configurations) and has an approximate range around 1,500–1,600 nautical miles. The Embraer Phenom 100EV is also a very light jet, positioned slightly more toward cabin comfort and performance within the VLJ class. It typically accommodates 4 to 6 passengers (up to 7 with a belted lavatory option) and offers about 1,100–1,200 nautical miles of range. Overall, the King Air emphasizes access and versatility, the M2 balances range and speed, and the 100EV prioritizes cabin experience in shorter‑range VLJ missions.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation M2 | Embraer Phenom 100EV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.45 | $ 2.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M2 | Phenom 100EV |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1400 | 1,178 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.71 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3810 | 3451 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 5 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,395 | $ 1,152 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 404 | 406 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,150,000 | $4,250,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.5 | 8.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 22027 | 21280 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-1AP-21 | PW617F1-E |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 3500 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 8 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 492 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | 1730 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | 543 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.6 | 42.1 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 47.3 | 40.4 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 11 | 11 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 14.3 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 8.8 | 9 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | 10 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | 60 |