Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw119kx
In category terms, the Airbus H135 and H145 and the Bell 429 GlobalRanger are twin‑engine light helicopters, commonly chosen for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport where redundancy is valued. The Leonardo AW119Kx is a single‑engine light helicopter, typically favored for training, utility, and cost‑sensitive passenger operations. For range, the H135 generally offers the shortest reach of the four in typical configurations, while the H145 and Bell 429 usually provide mid‑to‑upper light‑twin ranges that are broadly comparable, with the 429 often cited as slightly longer depending on fit and reserves. The AW119Kx can be competitive on range for a light single, but mission equipment and payload can shift real‑world endurance more than brochure figures. On passenger capacity, the H135 is commonly configured for about six to seven passengers (plus pilot(s)), the H145 usually accommodates more with a larger cabin (often around eight to nine), and the Bell 429 typically seats about six to seven in comfort. The AW119Kx commonly carries about six to seven passengers, but without twin‑engine redundancy.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H145 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW119Kx |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 9.31 | $ 6.29 | $ 6.76 |
| 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 | AW119Kx |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 352 | 365 | 515 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.84 |
| 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 | $ 885 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | Garmin G1000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 130 | 148 | 131 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $10,200,000 | $7,500,000 | $3,850,000 |
| 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 | PT6B-37A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4500 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 894 | 1100 | 917 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 160 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 44.8 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13 | 13.25 | 11.9 |
| 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 | — |