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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H130 | AIRBUS H135 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 5.00 | $ 6.33 | $ 6.76 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H130 | H135 | AW119Kx |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 333 | 342 | 515 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.71 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.84 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 2299 | 3124 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 640 | $ 861 | $ 885 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | Garmin G500H | Helionix | Garmin G1000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 128 | 136 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $3,450,000 | $6,150,000 | $3,850,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 7 | 9 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Configuration | — | — | Green Interior | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2D | Arrius 2B2+ | PT6B-37A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4500 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 952 | 660 | 917 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 143 | — | 160 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 41.5 | 33.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 11.9 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.1 | 34 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 173 | — |