Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Honda Aircraft Hondajet Elite
The Beechcraft King Air 260 and the HondaJet Elite serve different mission profiles: the King Air 260 is a twin‑turboprop built for versatile utility and short/rougher-field operations, while the HondaJet Elite is a light business jet optimized for fast, efficient point‑to‑point travel between paved airports. In range, the King Air 260 typically offers a longer real-world reach for its class, commonly around 1,700–1,900 nautical miles depending on load and conditions, whereas the HondaJet Elite is generally in the roughly 1,200–1,400 nautical mile range. The jet may deliver higher cruise speed, but the turboprop often provides more flexibility when airports are shorter or weather and runway conditions are less ideal. For passenger capacity, both are often configured for about six to seven passengers plus one or two pilots, but the King Air 260’s cabin and baggage capability tend to be more accommodating for mixed passenger-and-cargo needs, while the HondaJet Elite emphasizes a compact executive cabin focused on business travel.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 260 | Honda Aircraft HondaJet Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.30 | $ 2.73 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Honda Aircraft |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 250 | HondaJet Elite |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1420 | 1495 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.72 | $ 0.68 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3760 | 3432 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,333 | $ 1,135 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G3000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 310 | 419 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,450,000 | $ 5,400,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 8 | 6 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 8.8 |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 6 | 4 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 15293 | 23060 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-52 | HF120-H1A |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 850 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 37 | ISA + 10 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 544 | 439 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 2050 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 43.8 | 42.7 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 39.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 16.7 | 12.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.8 | 14.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 16.7 | 10.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 55 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.4 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 66 |