Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New
In category terms, the Airbus H135 is a light twin widely used for EMS, police, and training; the Airbus H145 is a larger light-intermediate twin with more cabin volume and higher useful load; the Bell 429 GlobalRanger sits in the light twin class with a notably roomy cabin and strong IFR mission profile; and the Leonardo AW109 GrandNew is a light twin often positioned toward VIP/corporate transport with higher cruise performance emphasis. For range, the H145 generally leads among these in typical configurations, offering the best overall mission radius, while the AW109 GrandNew is also competitive and often chosen for longer, faster point-to-point trips. The Bell 429 and H135 typically provide moderate ranges suitable for urban/regional operations, with the H135 usually the shortest-legged of the four, depending on tanks and payload. For passenger capacity, the H135 commonly carries a pilot plus about five to six passengers; the Bell 429 typically accommodates around six to seven; the AW109 GrandNew generally seats about six to seven in VIP layouts; and the H145 usually offers the highest seating potential, often around eight or more depending on configuration.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H145 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 464 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4200 | 2535 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,210 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 9 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2E | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.25 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36.1 | 36 | 35.5 |
| 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 | — |