AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 429 Globalranger

The Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger sit in the light twin category. Both are commonly configured for about six to seven passengers (plus one to two pilots), with the Bell 429 typically offering a slightly roomier cabin and, depending on fit, a modest advantage in usable range, while the H135 is widely valued for training, EMS, and utility missions with solid, predictable short-to-medium range performance. The Airbus H160 is a medium twin designed as a step up in size, comfort, and technology, generally carrying around eight to twelve passengers in offshore or corporate layouts and offering longer legs than light twins, making it suited to higher-end passenger transport and longer regional missions. The Airbus H175 is a super-medium twin aimed strongly at offshore and SAR-type roles, usually configured around twelve to sixteen passengers, and it generally delivers the longest range of the four along with greater payload capability, making it best for higher-capacity, longer-distance operations compared with the H135, H160, and Bell 429.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H160AIRBUS H175Bell 429 GlobalRanger
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 13.53$ 6.29
Min Crew1221
Total Seats914188
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersBell
Aircraft NameH135H160H175429 GlobalRanger
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342460573365
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.75$ 0.79
Max Cabin Seats712186
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)3124399267972535
Standard Cabin Seats712166
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 2,016$ 931
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISEFISBell BasiX-Pro
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136155149148
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$14,000,000$17,900,000$7,500,000
Cabin
Cockpit2222
Min Crew1221
Total Seats914188
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats712186
Standard Cabin Seats712166
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+HE ArranoPT6A-67EPW207D1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000400035004000
Horsepower66017751100
No. of Engines2222
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.539.459.243
Overall Height (ft)12.613.117.513.25
Rotor Diameter (ft)3445.248.536
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173423.8130
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)81.974
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58