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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger

The Airbus H135 and H145 and the Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are light twin-engine helicopters typically used for EMS, police, corporate, and utility work, while the Airbus H160 is a larger, newer-generation medium twin aimed more at higher-end offshore, corporate/VIP, and demanding utility missions. In broad terms, the H135 generally offers the shortest range of the four and the smallest cabin, commonly seating about 6–7 passengers (configuration dependent). The Bell 429 and the H145 usually sit a step up in useful cabin space and payload; both are often configured around 7–8 passengers, with typical ranges in the mid-light-twin bracket, generally longer than an H135 and often comparable to each other depending on fit and mission profile. The H160 is the outlier: it is in a higher category with a larger cabin and typically seats around 10–12 passengers, and it generally provides the longest range among these options, suited to longer legs and more passenger-focused missions. Actual range and seating vary significantly with interiors, reserves, payload, and conditions.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H145AIRBUS H160Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 9.31$ 6.05
Min Crew1121
Total Seats910148
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBell
Aircraft NameH135H145H160429WLG GlobalRanger
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342352460381
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.93$ 0.76
Max Cabin Seats79126
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)3124420039922528
Standard Cabin Seats78126
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,210$ 931
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISEFISBell BasiX-Pro
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136130155154
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$10,200,000$14,000,000$7,700,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1121
Total Seats910148
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats79126
Standard Cabin Seats78126
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+Arriel 2EHE ArranoPW207D1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400040004000
Horsepower6608941100
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.544.839.443
Overall Height (ft)12.61313.112.39
Rotor Diameter (ft)3436.145.236
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173166130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)46.874
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58