Beechcraft King Air 360 vs Cessna Grand Caravan Ex
The Beechcraft King Air 360 and the Cessna Grand Caravan EX are both turboprop aircraft, but they serve different roles. The King Air 360 is best described as a pressurized, twin‑engine business and special‑mission aircraft designed for higher speed, higher altitude cruise, and greater redundancy. The Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine utility turboprop optimized for rugged, short‑field operations, cargo flexibility, and straightforward regional transport. In range terms, the King Air 360 typically offers a longer IFR-capable mission profile, often around the 1,500 nautical mile class depending on payload and conditions, while the Grand Caravan EX is generally shorter‑legged, commonly in the 900–1,000 nautical mile class, again depending on configuration and reserves. Passenger capacity also differs in practice. The King Air 360 is usually outfitted for about 6 to 9 passengers in a premium cabin, whereas the Grand Caravan EX commonly seats about 9 to 14 passengers in commuter layouts, with strong capability to trade seats for cargo volume.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360 | Cessna Grand Caravan EX |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.20 | $ 3.15 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350i | Grand Caravan EX |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1560 | 964 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.53 | $ 0.39 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 5145 | 3332 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,311 | $ 614 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 312 | 195 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $7,650,000 | $2,695,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Optional | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | Optional | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 8 |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PT6A-140 |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | 867 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 24 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 539 | 335 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 41.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 16.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 15.1 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 32 |