Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw109 Trekker vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169
The Airbus H135 and Leonardo AW109 Grand New sit in the light twin category. Both typically carry about 6–7 passengers (plus crew) with practical ranges commonly around 300–500 nautical miles depending on fit and reserves; the AW109 is generally faster with similar mission radius, while the H135 is widely used for EMS and training with flexible cabins. The AW109 Trekker remains a light twin but is aimed at utility work; it keeps roughly similar passenger counts yet can trade some cruise efficiency for higher skid-based versatility, with range still typically in the few-hundred–nautical-mile class. Airbus H155 moves into the medium twin class, usually accommodating around 8–12 passengers with a commonly cited range near 450–550 nautical miles. Airbus H160 is a newer medium twin often configured around 8–12 passengers, with range generally in the 450–600 nautical mile bracket depending on mission equipment. Leonardo AW169 is a light-intermediate twin, commonly 8–10 passengers with about 400–450 nautical miles range. Leonardo AW139 is a medium twin, typically 10–15 passengers with roughly 500–700 nautical miles range, and is the largest and most capacity-focused of the group.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H155 | AIRBUS H160 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Trekker | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 11.06 | — | $ 7.31 | $ 7.40 | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | VFR | VFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H155 | H160 | AW109 Grand New | AW109 Trekker | AW139 | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 423 | 460 | 464 | 450 | 573 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | — | $ 0.91 | $ 0.93 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 4012 | 3992 | — | — | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 1,593 | — | $ 1,140 | $ 1,125 | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS | Genesys Aerosystems | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 144 | 155 | 156 | 152 | 165 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $14,800,000 | $14,000,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $6,950,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | |||||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 | 14 | 8 | 8 | 17 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 15 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Arriel 2C2 | HE Arrano | PW207C | PW207C | PT6C-67C | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 943 | — | 735 | 735 | 1679 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 332 | — | 152 | 152 | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 46.9 | 39.4 | 42.5 | 42.5 | 54.7 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 14.3 | 13.1 | 11.5 | 11.5 | 16.4 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 41.1 | 45.2 | 35.5 | 35.5 | 54.7 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 235.2 | — | — | — | 282 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 88.3 | — | — | — | 120 | 49.5 |