Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus H125 is a light single‑engine utility helicopter, typically used for short to medium missions. It generally carries about 5 to 6 passengers (plus pilot) and offers moderate range compared with larger twins, making it best suited to regional transport, aerial work, and high‑altitude operations rather than long overwater legs. The Airbus H145 is a light twin‑engine helicopter positioned a step up in capability and comfort. It commonly seats roughly 7 to 8 passengers and provides a longer, more flexible mission range than the H125, with twin‑engine redundancy that is attractive for EMS, public services, and corporate shuttles. The Sikorsky S‑76D is a medium twin optimized for offshore and executive transport. It typically carries about 8 passengers and delivers a longer practical range than light twins, with strong cruise performance for point‑to‑point missions. The Leonardo AW139 is a larger medium twin and usually the capacity leader here, commonly accommodating around 12 to 15 passengers. It also tends to offer the greatest operational range and payload flexibility of the group, especially for offshore, SAR, and high‑utilization transport roles.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AIRBUS H145 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 9.31 | $ 11.69 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 17 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | H145 | AW139 | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 352 | 573 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 15 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | 4200 | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 15 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,929 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS | EFIS | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 165 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $10,200,000 | $15,900,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 10 | 17 | 12 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 9 | 15 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 8 | 15 | 10 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — | — |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | Arriel 2E | PT6C-67C | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 894 | 1679 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | — | 414 | 296 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 44.8 | 54.7 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 13 | 16.4 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 36.1 | 54.7 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 166 | 282 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 120 | — |