Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Citation M2 vs Embraer Phenom 300e
The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop in the light/business utility category, optimized for shorter fields and regional missions. It typically carries about 6 to 9 passengers depending on configuration, and offers a range around 1,700–1,800 nautical miles, making it well suited to flexible point‑to‑point trips where airport access matters as much as speed. The Cessna Citation M2 is a very light jet (VLJ), aimed at efficient jet travel for small groups. It commonly seats about 4 to 7 passengers (often 5 to 6 in practical layouts) and has a range roughly around 1,500 nautical miles, favoring quick regional legs with jet cruise speeds and simpler operating economics than larger jets. The Embraer Phenom 300E is a light jet positioned above the M2 in size and capability. It generally accommodates about 6 to 9 passengers and provides a longer range, typically about 2,000+ nautical miles, supporting more nonstop city pairs while offering a larger cabin and higher performance than most VLJs.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Cessna Citation M2 | Embraer Phenom 300E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 3.45 | $ 3.88 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Embraer |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | M2 | Phenom 300E |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1400 | 2,010 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.58 | $ 0.55 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3810 | 6914 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,395 | $ 1,758 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 | Prodigy Touch (G3000) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 404 | 464 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $5,150,000 | $9,650,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 8 | 9 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 7 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.5 | 9.4 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 22027 | 25560 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | FJ44-1AP-21 | Canada PW535E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 7 | ISA + 15 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 492 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 1965 | 3360 |
| Fuel Burn (lbph) | — | 516 | 757 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.6 | 51.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 47.3 | 52.16 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 11 | 17.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14 | 16.75 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.1 | 3.6 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 8.8 | 14.8 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — | 10 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 | 0.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46 | 74 |