Beechcraft King Air 200 vs Beechcraft King Air 300

The King Air 200 and the King Air 300 look similar from the ramp — same Beechcraft lineage, same pressurized twin turboprop configuration — but they represent different points in the King Air performance envelope. The King Air 200 (B200 series) used PT6A-42 engines throughout most of its production and became the most widely operated King Air variant, prized for operating economy, parts availability, and a worldwide support network that no other turboprop matches. The King Air 300 (introduced in 1984, discontinued in approximately 1997) pushed the same basic airframe harder: PT6A-60A engines producing significantly more power, a heavier gross weight, and cruise performance that approached the upper end of the turboprop envelope before the King Air 350's stretched fuselage changed the conversation. The 300 occupies a narrow used-market window — faster than the 200, same cabin, more expensive to operate, largely superseded by the 350 — and understanding that position honestly is key to evaluating it.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · re-checked on a rolling daily cycle

Beechcraft King Air 200
For sale now
95
Median asking
$1,495,000
Range
$253,500–$3,170,000
Model years available
1971–2013
Beechcraft King Air 300
For sale now
17
Median asking
$1,881,810
Range
$947,809–$2,547,000
Model years available
1984–1993

Live data from AeroGurus, aggregated daily across the used-aircraft market. Figures are current asking prices, not appraisals — confirm with a pre-buy inspection.

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Beechcraft King Air 200 Beechcraft King Air 300
Beechcraft King Air 200
View 39 listings →
Median $1,495,000
 Beechcraft King Air 300
View 18 listings →
Median $1,881,810
Price Range $253,500 – $3,170,000 $947,809 – $2,547,000
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Multi Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats 9 9
Horsepower 850 HP 1,050 HP
Cruise Speed 272 kts (504 km/h) 295 kts (546 km/h)
Range 1,580 nm (2,926 km) 1,700 nm (3,148 km)
Service Ceiling 35,000 ft (10,668 m) 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
Max Gross Weight 12,500 lbs (5,670 kg) 14,000 lbs (6,350 kg)
Useful Load 4,045 lbs (1,835 kg) 4,200 lbs (1,905 kg)
Fuel Capacity 544.0 gal (2059 L) 544.0 gal (2059 L)
Fuel Burn 80.0 GPH (303 L/h) 85.0 GPH (322 L/h)
TBO 3,600 hrs 3,600 hrs
Overhaul Cost $380,000 $400,000
Annual Fixed $180,000 $200,000
Hourly Variable $950 $1,050
Engines 2 x Turboprop 2 x Turboprop

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Beechcraft King Air 200

Fuel$440/hr
Variable$950/hr
Annual Fixed$180,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $370,000/yr

Beechcraft King Air 300

Fuel$468/hr
Variable$1,050/hr
Annual Fixed$200,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $410,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft King Air 200 or Beechcraft King Air 300?

Bottom line: Choose the King Air 200 (B200) for the deepest support ecosystem, broadest MRO network, and the most favorable balance of performance and operating cost in the King Air family. For most corporate and owner-operator missions under 1,200 nm at 150–400 annual hours, the B200 is the optimum King Air — enough performance for the mission, economics that hold up under realistic utilization, and a resale market that functions well. Choose the King Air 300 if you find one in excellent condition at a price that reflects its smaller used-market presence and higher operating costs — the PT6A-60A gives the 300 a meaningful speed and climb advantage over the B200, and for buyers who want King Air performance without the 350's size, a well-maintained 300 can be the answer. Safety axis: the King Air 300's smaller production run means fewer airframes in circulation, a more specialized MRO base than the B200, and less frequent pre-purchase inspection experience among general King Air shops. Pre-purchase inspection by a King Air 300-specialist shop is strongly recommended — and deferred maintenance items on the 300 can be more expensive to correct than on the more common B200.

Pick the King Air 200 if…

  • Budget matters — from $253,500 vs $947,809, you save ~$694,309.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$950/hr vs $1050/hr.
  • More inventory — 39 listings vs 18.

Pick the King Air 300 if…

  • Faster cruise — 295 kts vs 272 kts.
  • Longer range — 1700 nm vs 1580 nm.
  • Newer design — production from 1984 vs 1974.

Auto-generated from current market data and published specs. Confirm with a pre-buy inspection and professional appraisal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the King Air 300 discontinued?
The King Air 350 — introduced in 1990 with a stretched fuselage, winglets, and improved passenger capacity — offered a larger cabin and better performance for comparable operating cost, making the 300's same-cabin-but-faster positioning less compelling. Buyers who wanted performance beyond the B200 found the 350's additional seats and cabin volume more useful than the 300's cruise speed advantage. The 350 effectively superseded the 300's market position, and Beechcraft discontinued the 300 in approximately 1997.
What is the cruise speed difference between the King Air 200 and King Air 300?
The King Air 300's PT6A-60A engines give it a meaningful speed advantage. A B200 cruises at approximately 270–290 kt; the 300 typically cruises at approximately 300–315 kt at comparable altitudes and weights — roughly 25–30 kt faster. For missions over 1,000 nm that difference saves 30–45 minutes of block time, which matters more to operators flying long regional routes than those doing 400–600 nm hops where the time difference is under 15 minutes.
Is the King Air 200 easier to maintain than the 300?
Substantially. The B200 has the largest fleet of any King Air variant — parts are widely available, MRO shops are deeply familiar with the type, and the aftermarket support infrastructure is mature. The King Air 300's smaller fleet (fewer aircraft built, more years since discontinuation) means fewer specialists, lower parts availability on some items, and longer potential AOG times for uncommon components. The B200's support ecosystem is a meaningful total cost of ownership advantage that most buyers correctly weigh heavily.
Which is better, Beechcraft King Air 200 or Beechcraft King Air 300?
It depends on your mission and budget. The King Air 200 cruises at 272 kts with 1,580 nm range. The King Air 300 cruises at 295 kts with 1,700 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Beechcraft King Air 200: from $995,000. Beechcraft King Air 300: from $1,995,000. Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft King Air 200 and Beechcraft King Air 300?
Cruise: 272 vs 295 kts. Range: 1580 vs 1700 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
King Air 200: about $950/hr variable cost. King Air 300: about $1050/hr variable cost. Variable cost includes fuel, reserves and overhaul accruals. Annual fixed costs (hangar, insurance, annual inspection) add to the total.
Which has more seats and useful load?
King Air 200: 9 seats / 4,045 lb useful load. King Air 300: 9 seats / 4,200 lb useful load. Useful load = max gross weight minus empty weight; it determines how much fuel plus payload you can carry.
How does maintenance compare — TBO and overhaul cost?
King Air 200: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$380,000. King Air 300: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$400,000. Reaching the time-between-overhaul (TBO) triggers a mandatory engine/airframe rebuild that affects resale value.
Disclaimer: All prices and cost estimates are from third-party sources for informational purposes only. Always obtain professional appraisal and inspection before purchase.
Prices re-checked on a rolling cycle — most within a few days · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data