Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H160
The Airbus Helicopters H135 is a light, twin‑engine helicopter designed primarily for short‑to‑medium missions such as emergency medical services, police work, training, and light corporate transport. In contrast, the Airbus H160 is a larger, more modern medium twin aimed at higher-end offshore transport, corporate/VIP travel, and demanding public service roles, with greater emphasis on comfort, payload, and efficiency. In range terms, the H135 typically supports practical mission radii suited to regional operations, with an overall range commonly around the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on configuration, fuel, and reserves. The H160 is built for longer legs and generally offers a noticeably greater range, often cited around the high‑hundreds of nautical miles in typical specifications, again depending on equipment fit and mission rules. Passenger capacity also separates them clearly. The H135 commonly carries a pilot plus roughly five to six passengers in a standard transport layout (or fewer when configured for medical interiors). The H160 generally accommodates a larger cabin load, often a pilot plus about eight to ten passengers, with more space and flexibility for premium seating or mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H160 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | — |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H160 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 460 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 3992 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $14,000,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | HE Arrano |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 39.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 45.2 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | — |