Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Airbus Helicopters H215
The Airbus Helicopters H135 is a light, twin‑engine helicopter optimized for short to medium missions such as emergency medical services, law enforcement, training, and corporate transport. It typically carries a pilot plus around five to six passengers (or a comparable payload depending on the cabin configuration), and its practical mission range is generally in the few‑hundred‑kilometer class, suited to frequent hops and rapid turnarounds. The Airbus Helicopters H215 is a much larger, heavy twin‑engine helicopter derived from the Super Puma family, intended for longer, higher‑payload work such as offshore oil and gas support, search and rescue, and utility or passenger transport in demanding conditions. It can accommodate substantially more people, commonly around 19 passengers in an airline-style layout, and it offers a significantly longer range than the H135, supporting extended overwater legs and remote-area operations. In short, the H135 prioritizes agility and lower operating footprint, while the H215 prioritizes lift, cabin volume, and longer-distance capability.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | AIRBUS H215 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 19.07 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | H215 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 468 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 22 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 8903 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 2,708 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 142 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $27,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 22 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | Makila 1A1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1820 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 540 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 61.4 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 16.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 51.2 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 473.9 |