The King Air 260 is the 2021 refresh of the 250, and Naples operators booking one for a snowbird client are usually shipping a nearly-new airframe with a lower flight-hour meter than the 250 fleet average. Same envelope, same runway manners, updated avionics and cabin.
Beechcraft announced the 260 on December 2, 2020, and FAA certification followed in March 2021. The fuselage, wing, and PT6A-52 engines carry over from the 250; the differences are a new IS&S ThrustSense autothrottle, updated Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics on later builds, and refreshed cabin materials. Range, cruise, ceiling, and seat count match the 250 (1,720 nautical miles, 310 knots, 35,000 feet, six to nine seats).
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Turboprop
- Manufacturer: Beechcraft (Textron Aviation)
- Year introduced: 2021
- Seating: 6 to 9
- Crew: 2
- Range: 1,720 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 310 knots
- Service ceiling: 35,000 feet
- Length: 43.8 feet
- Wingspan: 57.9 feet
- Height: 14.8 feet
- Baggage volume: 55 cubic feet
- Lavatory: Belted
Why the Beechcraft King Air 260 Fits Naples
Autothrottle changes the daily pilot workload on a Northeast-to-Naples leg. Less throttle management in cruise, safer margin management on a hot APF departure. Clients do not notice this from the back, but their operator’s chief pilot does.
For a family office or private-club member running 100 to 150 hours a year between a primary residence in Boston or Chicago and a Port Royal or Talis Park second home, the 260 is the cleanest option in the King Air lineup for jet-card-style predictable annual utilization.
APF and MKY performance is identical to the 250. Same Nassau, Eleuthera, Exuma outbound legs. What changes is age of the airframe: a 260 is at most five years old, which matters to owners paying for charter and expecting a like-new experience.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates; reports may be provided on request.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Beechcraft King Air 260 run $2,400 to $3,200 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
Expect a modest hourly premium over the 250 (roughly 10 to 15 percent) reflecting the newer airframe and lower time. On a Naples-to-Bedford leg that is meaningful across a season of use.
Other Turboprops Available
- Beechcraft Denali
- Beechcraft King Air 100
- Beechcraft King Air 250
- Beechcraft King Air 360
- Beechcraft King Air C90GTx
- Cessna Caravan & C208
Contact
For a quote on a Beechcraft King Air 260 charter in or out of Naples, head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.