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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | — | $ 6.05 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | H160 | 429WLG GlobalRanger |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 460 | 381 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | — | $ 0.76 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 3992 | 2528 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | — | $ 931 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 155 | 154 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $14,000,000 | $7,700,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 14 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 12 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | HE Arrano | PW207D1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | — | 1100 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 76 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | — | 216.9 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 39.4 | 43 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.1 | 12.39 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 45.2 | 36 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 166 | — | 130 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 46.8 | — | 74 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | 26.37 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | 6.58 |