Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Caravan vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Skycourier
In category, the Beechcraft King Air 360 and 360ER are pressurized, twin‑turboprop business/utility aircraft aimed at fast executive transport and special missions, while the Cessna Caravan and Grand Caravan EX are single‑engine utility turboprops optimized for rugged, short‑field regional service. The Cessna SkyCourier is a larger, twin‑turboprop utility/freighter designed for high payload volume and frequent short‑haul cycles. On range, the King Air 360ER is the longest‑leg option, built to extend endurance beyond the standard 360. The King Air 360 is next, offering strong cross‑country capability. The Caravan and Grand Caravan EX generally provide moderate regional range, with the EX typically similar or slightly improved depending on load and configuration. The SkyCourier is usually optimized for shorter regional sectors rather than maximum range, trading longer legs for payload and volume. For passenger capacity, King Air 360/360ER are commonly configured around 6–9 seats. The Caravan typically seats about 9 passengers, and the Grand Caravan EX can accommodate more, often up to around 14 in commuter layouts. The SkyCourier is the highest‑capacity people mover of the group, commonly around 19 passengers (or equivalent cargo).
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Caravan | Cessna Grand Caravan EX | Cessna SkyCourier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.20 | $ 4.37 | $ 3.07 | $ 3.15 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Beechcraft | Cessna | Cessna | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350i | KingAir 350ER | Caravan | Grand Caravan EX | SkyCourier |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 1560 | 2338 | 1070 | 964 | 900 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.53 | $ 0.55 | $ 0.38 | $ 0.39 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5145 | 6585 | 3305 | 3332 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,311 | $ 1,324 | $ 571 | $ 614 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi | Garmin G1000 NXi | Gyro / Analog |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 312 | 303 | 186 | 195 | 200 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,650,000 | $8,750,000 | $2,355,000 | $2,695,000 | $7,375,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | Yes (Belted Optional) | No | No | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | — | — | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional | Refreshment Center | No | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 19 |
| Cargo Door | — | Optional | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PT6A-60A | PT6A-114A | PT6A-140 | PT6A-65SC |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 3600 | 3600 | 4000 | 6000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | 1050 | 675 | 867 | 1100 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 10 | ISA + 31 | ISA + 24 | — |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 539 | 775 | — | 335 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 46.7 | 37.6 | 41.6 | 54.9 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 57.9 | 52.1 | 52.1 | 72 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.4 | 5.4 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 19.5 | 12.8 | 16.8 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 14.4 | 15 | 15.1 | 19.8 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 4.1 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | 19.5 | — | — | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 71 | 32 | 32 | — |