Airbus Helicopters H130 vs Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger

In category terms, the Airbus H130 is a single‑engine light helicopter optimized for quiet, high‑visibility passenger missions, while the Airbus H135, Airbus H145, and Bell 429 are twin‑engine light helicopters typically positioned for EMS, law enforcement, offshore support, and corporate transport where redundancy is valued. For range, the H130 generally offers the longest reach among these in typical configurations (roughly in the 330–370 nm class), with the Bell 429 and H145 usually next and broadly similar (often around the low‑to‑mid 300 nm range depending on tanks and payload), and the H135 commonly somewhat shorter (often around the high‑200s to ~300 nm). Passenger capacity differs more clearly: the H130 is often configured for 1 pilot plus up to 6 passengers; the H135 commonly carries 1–2 pilots plus about 5–6 passengers; the H145 is larger and typically seats 1–2 pilots plus about 7–8 passengers; and the Bell 429 is generally in the same upper light‑twin bracket, commonly 1–2 pilots plus about 6–7 passengers, with layouts varying by mission equipment and interior.