Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 407gxi vs Sikorsky S 76d
The Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 407GXi sit in the light single/twin utility class, while the Sikorsky S‑76D is a larger, medium twin often positioned for premium corporate and offshore roles. In category terms, the H135 is a light twin optimized for missions like EMS and law enforcement where twin-engine redundancy is valued; the 407GXi is a light single known for simplicity, strong hot-and-high performance, and lower operating complexity; the S‑76D is a medium twin designed for higher cruise performance and heavier loads. Range generally increases with size and fuel capacity: the 407GXi and H135 are typically in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on configuration, whereas the S‑76D commonly offers longer legs suitable for more demanding point‑to‑point and offshore profiles. Passenger capacity follows the same pattern. The H135 and 407GXi typically accommodate around five to six passengers in a standard transport layout (mission equipment can reduce this), while the S‑76D commonly carries a larger VIP cabin load, often around eight passengers, again depending on interior and fuel options.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 407GXi | Sikorsky S-76D |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 4.43 | $ 11.49 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 407GXi | S-76D |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 337 | 441 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.96 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2300 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 589 | $ 1,781 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Garmin G1000H NXI | Thales TopDeck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 133 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $3,225,000 | $14,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 6 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 5 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | M250-C47E/4 | PW210S |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 862 | 1077 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 46 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 127.8 | 296 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 41.4 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 10.2 | 14.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 35 | 44 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 125 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.4 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 16 | — |