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Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Leonardo Aw119kx

The Airbus H125 and Leonardo AW119Kx are light single‑engine utility helicopters, typically chosen for missions prioritizing hot‑and‑high performance, lifting capability, and simpler operating economics. In category terms, both sit in the single‑engine segment, while the Airbus H130 is also single‑engine but optimized more toward quiet, high‑comfort passenger transport with a roomier cabin feel. The Airbus H135 is the outlier as a light twin‑engine helicopter, generally favored where redundancy, IFR/EMS capability, and regulatory or customer requirements push operators toward twins. In range, all four are broadly comparable in the “few hundred nautical miles” class, but real‑world differences depend heavily on tank configuration, payload, and reserves. The H125 often stands out for strong utility performance and commonly achieves competitive range, while the H130’s passenger‑comfort focus can trade off against maximum payload at distance. The H135’s twin‑engine cruise can be efficient but typically balances range against higher system weight. For passenger capacity, the H130 usually leads among the Airbus singles with a typical layout up to about seven passengers, the H125 commonly carries around five to six, the H135 typically seats about six to seven, and the AW119Kx is commonly around six.

SpecAIRBUS H125AIRBUS H130AIRBUS H135AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx
Summary
Cockpit2322
DOC / nm$ 4.61$ 5.00$ 6.33$ 6.76
Min Crew1111
Total Seats6798
Flight RulesVFRVFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersLeonardo
Aircraft NameH125H130H135AW119Kx
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)341333342515
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.77$ 0.71$ 0.79$ 0.84
Max Cabin Seats5576
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)218922993124
Standard Cabin Seats4476
Direct Operating Cost$ 627$ 640$ 861$ 885
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G500HGarmin G500HHelionixGarmin G1000H
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136128136131
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$3,200,000$3,450,000$6,150,000 $3,850,000
Cabin
Cockpit2322
Min Crew1111
Total Seats6798
Max Cabin Seats5576
Standard Cabin Seats4476
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelArriel 2DArriel 2DArrius 2B2+PT6B-37A
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)5000500040004500
Horsepower847952660917
No. of Engines1121
Fuel Capacity (gal)143143160
Dimensions
Length (ft)42.541.533.542.5
Overall Height (ft)1011.112.611.9
Rotor Diameter (ft)36.135.13435.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173