Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H135 is a light twin in the 3‑ton class, typically carrying about 5–7 passengers with a practical mission range around 300–350 nm. The Bell 429WLG is also a light twin, broadly similar in role, usually seating about 6–7 passengers with roughly 350–400 nm range. Stepping up, the Airbus H145 is a larger light twin (around 3.7–3.8 tons) often configured for about 7–9 passengers and commonly offers about 300–350 nm range depending on fit. The Airbus H155 sits in the medium class, typically carrying about 12–13 passengers with around 430–500 nm range. The Leonardo AW139 is a super‑medium workhorse, commonly 12–15 passengers with roughly 500–600 nm range. The Leonardo AW169 is a light‑intermediate twin, typically 8–10 passengers with about 400–450 nm range. The Leonardo AW189 is a heavier super‑medium, often 16–19 passengers with about 500–600 nm range. At the high end, the Bell 525 Relentless is a large/super‑medium long‑range platform, typically around 16–20 passengers and roughly 550–700 nm range depending on configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H155 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 11.06 | $ 6.05 | — | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | H155 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | 525 Relentless | AW139 | AW169 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 423 | 381 | 580 | 573 | 440 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.76 | — | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 4012 | 2528 | 6675 | 4701 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 1,593 | $ 931 | — | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 144 | 154 | 160 | 165 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,800,000 | $7,700,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 | 17 | 12 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 | 16 | 15 | 10 | 19 |
| Engine | ||||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | Arriel 2C2 | PW207D1 | CT7-2F1 | PT6C-67C | PW210A | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 943 | 1100 | 1800 | 1679 | 1000 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 332 | 216.9 | 641 | 414 | — | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 76 | — | — | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 46.9 | 43 | 61.58 | 54.7 | 48.1 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 14.3 | 12.39 | 18.18 | 16.4 | 14.8 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 41.1 | 36 | 54.5 | 54.7 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | 235.2 | 130 | — | 282 | 222.5 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | 88.3 | 74 | 128 | 120 | 49.5 | 85 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | 26.37 | 25.77 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | 5 | 7.58 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | 4 | 4.5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | 6.58 | 15.5 | — | — | — |