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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Leonardo Aw169

The Airbus H135, Airbus H160, and Leonardo AW169 all sit in the light-to-intermediate twin‑engine helicopter space, but they target different mission weights and cabin expectations. The H135 is a light twin typically used for EMS, training, and urban police or corporate work; it generally carries about five to seven passengers in a transport layout (with higher counts possible depending on configuration) and offers a comparatively shorter range suited to regional sectors and city-to-city flying. The AW169 is a larger, intermediate-class twin with a more spacious cabin and higher useful load; it commonly seats around six to eight passengers in executive/utility layouts and delivers a longer range than the H135, making it more flexible for offshore shuttles, SAR support, and multi-stop regional missions. The H160 is also an intermediate-class twin but positioned as a more premium, higher-technology aircraft; it typically accommodates roughly six to eight passengers and tends to offer the strongest range of the three, supporting longer legs and higher-end corporate or offshore profiles. Actual range and seating vary significantly by fuel, interiors, and mission equipment.

SpecAIRBUS H135AIRBUS H160AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 11.84
Min Crew121
Total Seats91412
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersLeonardo
Aircraft NameH135H160AW169
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342460440
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.99
Max Cabin Seats71210
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31243992
Standard Cabin Seats71210
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 1,658
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixEFISEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136155140
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$14,000,000 $9,450,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew121
Total Seats91412
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats71210
Standard Cabin Seats71210
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+HE ArranoPW210A
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000
Horsepower6601000
No. of Engines222
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.539.448.1
Overall Height (ft)12.613.114.8
Rotor Diameter (ft)3445.2
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173222.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)49.5