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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H160 | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | — | $ 13.53 | $ 6.29 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 | 18 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H160 | H175 | 429 GlobalRanger |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 460 | 573 | 365 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | — | $ 0.75 | $ 0.79 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 18 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 3992 | 6797 | 2535 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 16 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | — | $ 2,016 | $ 931 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 155 | 149 | 148 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $14,000,000 | $17,900,000 | $7,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 14 | 18 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 18 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 12 | 16 | 6 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | HE Arrano | PT6A-67E | PW207D1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | — | 1775 | 1100 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | — | 76 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | — | 216.9 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 39.4 | 59.2 | 43 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 13.1 | 17.5 | 13.25 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 45.2 | 48.5 | 36 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | — | 423.8 | 130 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 81.9 | 74 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | — | 26.37 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | — | 5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | — | 4 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | — | 6.58 |