Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H155
The Airbus Helicopters H125 and H130 are light single‑engine helicopters, typically chosen for utility, tourism, and airborne work. The H125 generally offers the greatest useful load and high‑hot performance in this group, while the H130 emphasizes a quieter cabin and a more passenger‑friendly layout for sightseeing. Passenger capacity is usually around 5–6 plus a pilot depending on configuration. Range for both is broadly in the “few hundred nautical miles” class, with exact figures varying by fuel fit and mission profile. The H135 and H145 are light twin‑engine helicopters aimed at missions needing redundancy and higher dispatch reliability, such as EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport. The H135 is slightly smaller, commonly seating about 5–7 plus a pilot(s), while the H145 is roomier and often configured for roughly 7–9 plus pilot(s). Their ranges are also typically a few hundred nautical miles, often comparable to or modestly better than the single‑engine models depending on fit. The H155 is a larger medium twin, oriented toward offshore and executive/VIP roles, with higher passenger capacity (often around 12 plus crew) and generally longer range than the light twins, again depending on tanks and payload.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H155 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 11.06 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 14 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | H135 | H145 | H155 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 342 | 352 | 423 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 3124 | 4200 | 4012 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 12 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,593 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 136 | 130 | 144 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 14 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 12 |
| Configuration | — | — | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arriel 2C2 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 660 | 894 | 943 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | — | — | 332 |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 33.5 | 44.8 | 46.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 13 | 14.3 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 34 | 36.1 | 41.1 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 173 | 166 | 235.2 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 46.8 | 88.3 |