1900D vs Dash 8-300
The Dash 8-300 leads, topping 4 of 7 compared metrics.
Put the Beechcraft / Textron Aviation 1900D (introduced 1991) beside the De Havilland Canada Dash 8-300 (introduced 1989) and the trade-offs sharpen fast. Both are regional, which makes them natural cross-shopping rivals. The clearest separation between them is cabin capacity, where the Dash 8-300 carries more passengers. Below we compare them spec by spec, then break down which aircraft suits which mission.
6 more specs per aircraft — ceiling, climb, cabin, dimensions and more — are free with an account.
1900D vs Dash 8-300: the key differences
- The Dash 8-300 delivers 111% more range (1900D: 380 nm; Dash 8-300: 800 nm).
- The Dash 8-300 delivers 3% more cruise speed (1900D: 280 kt; Dash 8-300: 287 kt).
- The Dash 8-300 delivers 195% more passenger capacity (1900D: 19 seats; Dash 8-300: 56 seats).
- The 1900D is the newer design (introduced 1991 versus 1989 for the Dash 8-300), a gap of 2 years that usually shows up in avionics, cabin systems and fuel burn.
- The Dash 8-300 is the larger aircraft by maximum takeoff weight (43,000 lbs versus 17,120 lbs), which typically buys more cabin and payload at the cost of higher trip economics.
Which mission suits which aircraft
Both aircraft are built for short-haul and regional hops, so outright range rarely separates them — the call leans on cabin (the Dash 8-300 seats more), trip economics and what is actually available on the market. Match the airframe to how you fly most weeks, not to the headline range figure.
Which should you choose?
On published specifications the Dash 8-300 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 1900D can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
More comparisons
1900D vs Dash 8-300: FAQs
Which has the longer range, the 1900D or the Dash 8-300?
The Dash 8-300 has the longer published range — 800 nm versus 380 nm for the 1900D.
Does the 1900D or Dash 8-300 seat more passengers?
The Dash 8-300 carries more passengers at maximum configuration — up to 56 seats, compared with 19 on the 1900D.
Which is faster, the 1900D or the Dash 8-300?
The Dash 8-300 cruises faster, at 287 kt versus 280 kt for the 1900D.
Which is newer, the 1900D or the Dash 8-300?
The 1900D is the newer design, introduced in 1991 versus 1989 for the Dash 8-300.
Is the 1900D or the Dash 8-300 the larger aircraft?
By maximum takeoff weight the Dash 8-300 is the larger aircraft — 43,000 lbs versus 17,120 lbs for the 1900D.
Should I buy the 1900D or the Dash 8-300?
On published specifications the Dash 8-300 leads on both range and cabin capacity, so it suits operators who want maximum mission flexibility from a single airframe. The 1900D can still be the smarter buy on acquisition cost, operating economics, runway performance, or current availability — the factors that rarely show up in a spec sheet. Our acquisition advisory team can model both against your actual mission profile before you commit.
Still weighing up the 1900D vs Dash 8-300?
Specs only take you so far. Our advisors give an independent recommendation based on your mission, budget and how you actually fly — and represent your side through to purchase.