Beechcraft King Air 360er vs Cessna Citation Sovereign vs Cessna Citation Xls
The Beechcraft King Air 360ER is a twin‑turboprop positioned in the utility/corporate category, optimized for shorter or unimproved runways and efficient regional missions. It typically carries about 6 to 9 passengers in executive layouts and offers long endurance for its class, with range commonly cited around 1,500 to 1,800 nautical miles depending on payload and conditions. The Cessna Citation Sovereign+ is a super‑midsize business jet aimed at longer nonstop city pairs and higher cruise speeds. It generally seats 8 to 12 passengers (often 9 in a standard executive configuration) and delivers roughly 3,000 nautical miles of range, varying with load and winds. The Cessna Citation XLS+ sits in the midsize/light‑midsize jet category, favoring cabin comfort and strong short‑field capability over maximum range. It typically accommodates about 7 to 9 passengers and offers around 2,000 nautical miles of range. In short, the King Air 360ER emphasizes flexibility and efficiency, the Sovereign+ prioritizes range and speed, and the XLS+ balances runway performance with moderate range and capacity.
| Spec | Beechcraft King Air 360ER | Cessna Citation Sovereign+ | Cessna Citation XLS+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.37 | $ 6.02 | $ 5.34 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Beechcraft | Cessna Citation | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir 350ER | Sovereign + | XLS+ |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 2338 | 3138 | 1906 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.55 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.67 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6585 | 12790 | 7540 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,324 | $ 2,699 | $ 2,303 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G5000 | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 303 | 458 | 430 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $8,750,000 | $19,730,000 | $15,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | Yes (Belted Optional) | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Cargo Door | Optional | — | — |
| Total Seats | 10 | 11 | 10 |
| Galley Location | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | AFT | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 6.5 | 9.3 | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Refreshment Center | Galley | Galley |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Crew Rest | — | No | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | No |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | 25230 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-60A | PW306D | PW545C |
| TBO (hrs) | 3600 | 6000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1050 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | ISA + 16 | ISA + 10 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 775 | 1700 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 5907 | 4119 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 46.7 | 63.5 | 52.5 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 57.9 | 72.4 | 56.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 19.5 | 25.3 | 18.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.4 | 20.4 | 17.2 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 19.5 | 17.4 | 14.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 71 | 35 | 10 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 100 | 80 |