Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Leonardo Aw139
The Airbus Helicopters H135 is a light twin in the short/medium-range utility and EMS category, typically carrying about 5–7 passengers (depending on interior and mission fit) and offering roughly 300–350 nm of range. The Leonardo AW139 sits in the intermediate/medium twin category, generally carrying about 12–15 passengers with a typical range around 500–600 nm, making it a common choice for offshore, SAR, and corporate transport where more cabin and payload are needed than a light twin. The Airbus H175 is a super-medium twin aimed strongly at offshore and SAR; it usually accommodates about 16–18 passengers and provides roughly 500–650 nm of range, bridging the gap between medium twins and heavy helicopters with a larger cabin and higher payload. The Airbus H225 is a heavy twin optimized for long-range offshore and high-capacity missions, commonly seating about 19–24 passengers and reaching roughly 700–850 nm, offering the most capacity and generally the longest range of the four. Figures vary by configuration, reserves, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H175 | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 13.53 | $ 20.87 | $ 11.69 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H175 | H225 | AW139 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 573 | 454 | 573 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.69 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 18 | 28 | 15 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 6797 | 11929 | 4701 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 16 | 19 | 15 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 2,016 | $ 2,963 | $ 1,929 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 149 | 142 | 165 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $17,900,000 | $ 29,500,000 | $15,900,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 18 | 28 | 15 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 16 | 19 | 15 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PT6A-67E | Makila 2A1 | PT6C-67C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 3500 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1775 | 2100 | 1679 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 684 | 414 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 59.2 | 63.4 | 54.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 17.5 | 16.3 | 16.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 48.5 | 53.2 | 54.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 423.8 | 547 | 282 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 81.9 | — | 120 |