Beechcraft Kingair Denali vs Cessna Caravan
The Beechcraft King Air Denali and the Cessna Caravan are both single‑engine turboprops, but they target different missions. The Denali is positioned as a newer, higher‑performance utility/business turboprop with a more refined cabin and higher cruise speeds, aimed at owners who want a step up in comfort and capability. The Caravan is a proven workhorse in the utility and regional transport category, commonly used for cargo, remote operations, and short, unimproved strips, prioritizing ruggedness and simplicity. In range terms, the Denali is generally expected to offer longer legs at faster cruise, making it better suited to point‑to‑point travel where time matters, while the Caravan’s typical real‑world missions emphasize flexibility and payload over speed, with solid but usually shorter range depending on load and reserves. Passenger capacity is broadly similar: both can be configured around six to nine passengers, but the Caravan more commonly runs in high‑density seating or mixed passenger/cargo layouts, whereas the Denali is more often configured for fewer passengers with a more premium interior.
| Spec | Beechcraft KingAir Denali | Cessna Caravan |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.08 | $ 3.07 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | GE® Aerospace | Cessna |
| Aircraft Name | KingAir Denali | Caravan |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1600 | 1070 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.68 | $ 0.38 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3280 | 3305 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,111 | $ 571 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion | Garmin G1000 NXi |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 285 | 186 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $4,150,000 | $2,355,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Flushing | No |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 11 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 9 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 5 | Un-Pressurized |
| Galley / Refreshment | No | No |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 11065 | — |
| Cargo Door | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||
| Model | Catalyst™ | PT6A-114A |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 |
| FADEC | — | Yes |
| TBO (hrs) | — | 3600 |
| Horsepower | — | 675 |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 31 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 14.86 | 37.6 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 54.3 | 52.1 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 4.5 | 5.4 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.8 | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 12.6 | 12.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 4.65 | 15 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 4.1 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 12.6 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 48 | 32 |