Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility aircraft best suited to rugged, short‑field operations. It typically carries about 9 passengers and favors practical regional sectors, with a range on the order of roughly 900–1,200 nautical miles depending on payload and reserves. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel. It commonly seats 7–9 passengers in executive layouts and offers roughly 1,800–2,100 nautical miles of range, making it well suited to cross‑country trips at higher speed and altitude. The Agusta/Leonardo AW189 is a twin‑engine medium helicopter focused on offshore, SAR, and utility transport. Cabin configurations often accommodate around 12–16 passengers, with typical mission ranges roughly 450–500 nautical miles, varying significantly with payload and fuel reserves. The Pilatus PC‑24 is a light business jet with a “utility jet” profile, capable of operating from shorter or semi‑prepared runways. It generally carries 6–10 passengers and offers about 1,800–2,000 nautical miles of range, balancing flexibility with jet performance.
| Spec | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 6 |
| Manufacturer | Cessna Citation | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | XLS+ | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 1906 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 7540 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 430 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lavatory | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | No | — | No |
| Total Seats | 10 | 21 | 6 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — | FWD |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| Lavatory Location | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | 9.3 | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | Galley | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | 25230 | — | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PW545C | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Flat Rating | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 4119 | — | 3435 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel | — |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 52.5 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 56.3 | — | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | 0.7 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 5.5 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 5.7 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 18.5 | — | 23 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.2 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | 3.9 | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | 14.3 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 80 | 85 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 10 | — | 90 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 | — |