Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Citation Sovereign
The Beechcraft King Air 360 and the Cessna Citation Sovereign+ sit in different business-aviation categories, which drives most of their practical differences. The King Air 360 is a twin‑turboprop in the “large turboprop” class, prized for versatility, shorter-runway capability, and efficient regional flying. The Citation Sovereign+ is a super‑midsize business jet, optimized for higher cruise speeds, higher-altitude performance, and longer nonstop legs. In range terms, the Sovereign+ generally offers the longer reach, commonly quoted around 3,000 nautical miles class, making it better suited to coast‑to‑coast U.S. missions or longer international segments. The King Air 360 typically falls in the roughly 1,500–1,800 nautical mile class depending on payload and conditions, aligning well with multi‑stop regional networks and access to smaller airports. Passenger capacity overlaps but differs in typical use. The King Air 360 is often configured for about 6 to 9 passengers, while the Sovereign+ commonly seats about 8 to 12, with more cabin volume and a more jet‑style travel experience on longer trips.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.20 | $ 6.02 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350i | Sovereign + |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1560 | 3138 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.53 | $ 0.67 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5145 | 12790 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,311 | $ 2,699 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G5000 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 312 | 458 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,650,000 | $19,730,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 |
| Crew Rest | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PW306D |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 6000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 16 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 539 | 1700 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 5907 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 63.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 72.4 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 25.3 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 20.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | 17.4 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 35 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 100 |