Beechcraft King Air 260 vs Cessna Grand Caravan EX
The King Air 260 flies further: 1,720 nm against 912 nm for the Grand Caravan EX. The Grand Caravan EX has the wider cabin: 1.63 m against 1.37 m for the King Air 260. The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 185 kts for the Grand Caravan EX.
King Air 260 or Grand Caravan EX?
Which flies further, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?
The King Air 260 flies further: 1,720 nm against 912 nm for the Grand Caravan EX.
Which has the wider cabin, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?
The Grand Caravan EX has the wider cabin: 1.63 m against 1.37 m for the King Air 260.
Which is faster, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?
The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 185 kts for the Grand Caravan EX.
Which is easier to charter in France?
3 King Air 260 and 0 Grand Caravan EX are on the French DGAC charter list today. Both charter at turboprop rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
King Air 260 vs Grand Caravan EX specifications
Verified figures, checked October 2026. Fleet counts from the France's DGAC list of air carriers (13 January 2026).
| Specification | King Air 260 Beechcraft (Textron Aviation) | Grand Caravan EX Cessna (Textron Aviation) |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | ||
| Range | 1,720 nm (3,185 km) (best) | 912 nm (1,689 km) |
| High-speed cruise | 310 kts (best) | 185 kts |
| Maximum altitude | 35,000 ft (best) | 25,000 ft |
| Take-off distance | 2,111 ft (best) | 2,160 ft |
| Landing distance | 2,845 ft | 1,836 ft (best) |
| Cabin | ||
| Maximum seats | 7 | 13 (best) |
| Cabin length | 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m) | 16 ft 9 in (5.10 m) (best) |
| Cabin width | 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) (best) |
| Cabin height | 4 ft 9 in (1.45 m) (best) | 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m) |
| Cabin volume | 303 cu ft | Not published |
| Baggage | 55.3 cu ft | 143 cu ft (best) |
| Engines and weights | ||
| Engines | 2 × 2 x Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-52 (850 shp each) | 1 × Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-140 (867 shp) |
| Maximum take-off weight | 12,500 lb | 8,807 lb |
| Fuel capacity | 3,645 lb | 2,246 lb |
| Price and ownership | ||
| First delivered | 2021 | 2013 |
| In production | Yes | Yes |
| New price | $6.7M (2024) | $2.6M (2024) |
| Operating cost per hour | $2,539 | $1,503 |
| Charter fleet | ||
| On France charter list | 3 aircraft (best) | 0 aircraft |
Gold marks the best figure in each row. Take-off distance: At maximum take-off weight, sea level. Cabin length: Manufacturers measure cabin length differently; volume is the fairer comparison. Operating cost per hour: As reported; some sources quote variable cost only, others include fixed costs. See the basis under each aircraft.
Both aircraft at a glance
Beechcraft King Air 260
- Seats
- Up to 7
- Range
- 1,720 nm
- Cabin
- 303 cu ft
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 3 in France
French operators: Altagna
King Air 260 specs, interior and price →
Cessna Grand Caravan EX
- Seats
- Up to 13
- Range
- 912 nm
- Cabin
- 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
- In production
- Yes
- Charter fleet
- 0 in France
Compare with other turboprops
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhich flies further, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?+
The King Air 260 flies further: 1,720 nm against 912 nm for the Grand Caravan EX.
Which has the wider cabin, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?+
The Grand Caravan EX has the wider cabin: 1.63 m against 1.37 m for the King Air 260.
Which is faster, the King Air 260 or the Grand Caravan EX?+
The King Air 260 is faster at high-speed cruise: 310 kts against 185 kts for the Grand Caravan EX.
Which is easier to charter in France?+
3 King Air 260 and 0 Grand Caravan EX are on the French DGAC charter list today. Both charter at turboprop rates; availability on your dates decides the price.
Where these numbers come from
- King Air 260, Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
- King Air 260 product card, Textron Aviation (2025)
- Beechcraft debuts new interior color choices and cabin amenities for King Air 260s, Textron Aviation release via Controller (July 2021)
- Beechcraft King Air 260 specifications and operating cost, GlobalAir.com (2026)
- Beechcraft King Air 260 achieves FAA Type Certification, Textron Aviation (March 2021)
- King Air 260 debuts, AOPA (December 2020)
- EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.277 Beechcraft King Air, Issue 22 (December 2024)
- Grand Caravan EX, Cessna (Textron Aviation)
- Grand Caravan EX brochure, Textron Aviation (2025)
- Cessna Grand Caravan EX specifications and operating cost, GlobalAir.com (2026)
- Cessna Grand Caravan EX certified, General Aviation News (January 2013)
- EASA TCDS EASA.IM.A.226 Cessna 208, Issue 15 (September 2025)
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