Beechcraft King Air 350 vs Cessna 208

The Cessna 208 Caravan (single-engine unpressurised utility turboprop, ~186 kt) and King Air 350 (twin-engine pressurised executive turboprop, ~313 kt) are very different aircraft despite both being turboprops — different mission, different segment.

Live Market Snapshot

Current asking-price market, aggregated across multiple marketplaces · refreshed daily

Beechcraft King Air 350
For sale now
72
Median asking
$3,197,500
Range
$1,952,250–$5,237,500
Listed on 2+ marketplaces
27
Source marketplaces
9
Model years available
1990–2019
Cessna 208

No active listings right now.

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

Safety Record

Absolute counts scale with fleet size — the most-produced types log more events without being less safe. Compare the % fatal.

NTSB (1982–now)Beechcraft King Air 350Cessna 208
All events332
Serious28
Fatal115
Fatalities392
% Fatal35%

Full Specs Comparison

Swipe to see all specs
Spec / Model Beechcraft King Air 350 Cessna 208
Beechcraft King Air 350
View 66 listings →
Median $3,197,500
Cessna 208
View 28 listings →
Median $2,250,000
Price Range $1,952,250 – $5,237,500 $1,395,000 – $3,300,000
Category Multi Engine Turboprop Single Engine Turboprop
Model Specifications
Seats 11 10
Horsepower 675 HP
Cruise Speed 295 kts (546 km/h) 170 kts (315 km/h)
Range 1,806 nm (3,345 km) 1,070 nm (1,982 km)
Service Ceiling 35,000 ft (10,668 m) 25,000 ft (7,620 m)
Max Gross Weight 15,000 lbs (6,804 kg) 8,000 lbs (3,629 kg)
Useful Load 5,400 lbs (2,449 kg) 3,300 lbs (1,497 kg)
Fuel Capacity 544.0 gal (2059 L)
Fuel Burn 120.0 GPH (454 L/h) 50.0 GPH (189 L/h)
TBO 3,600 hrs 3,500 hrs
Overhaul Cost $450,000 $400,000
Annual Fixed $220,000 $120,000
Hourly Variable $1,100 $700
Engines 2 x Turboprop 1 x Turboprop

Cost of Ownership

Estimate

Beechcraft King Air 350

Fuel$660/hr
Variable$1,100/hr
Annual Fixed$220,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $440,000/yr

Cessna 208

Fuel$275/hr
Variable$700/hr
Annual Fixed$120,000/yr
Total (200 hrs/yr) $260,000/yr

Which Should You Buy: Beechcraft King Air 350 or Cessna 208?

Bottom line: Choose the Caravan for rough-field utility, the cargo-door utility and Jet-A single-engine economics. Step up to the King Air 350 when you need a pressurised executive cabin, twin-engine redundancy and ~125 kt more cruise — at multiples of Caravan operating cost.

Pick the King Air 350 if…

  • More seats — 11 vs 10.
  • Faster cruise — 295 kts vs 170 kts.
  • Longer range — 1806 nm vs 1070 nm.
  • More inventory — 66 listings vs 28.

Pick the 208 if…

  • Budget matters — from $1,395,000 vs $1,952,250, you save ~$557,250.
  • Lower operating cost — ~$700/hr vs $1100/hr.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, Beechcraft King Air 350 or Cessna 208?
It depends on your mission and budget. The King Air 350 cruises at 295 kts with 1,806 nm range. The 208 cruises at 170 kts with 1,070 nm range. Review the specs table above to find which fits your flying profile.
How do prices compare?
Prices vary by year, hours, avionics, and condition. Always get a pre-buy inspection.
What's the difference between Beechcraft King Air 350 and Cessna 208?
208 engine: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT-6A-114 (675 hp). Seats: 11 vs 10. Cruise: 295 vs 170 kts. Range: 1806 vs 1070 nm.
Which is cheaper to operate per hour?
King Air 350: about $1100/hr variable cost. 208: about $700/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 350: 11 seats / 5,400 lb useful load. 208: 10 seats / 3,300 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 350: 3,600-hour TBO, overhaul ~$450,000. 208: 3,500-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 updated daily · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data