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Airbus Helicopters H135 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New

In category terms, the Airbus Helicopters H135 and Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger are both modern twin‑engine light helicopters often used for EMS, police, and corporate missions, while the Leonardo AW109 Grand New sits closer to the upper end of the light twin/entry‑level intermediate market with a stronger emphasis on speed and VIP transport. For range, the H135 and Bell 429 are broadly comparable for typical mission profiles, with real‑world endurance and distance heavily influenced by cabin fit, fuel options, and reserves; the AW109 Grand New is generally competitive and is often selected when operators want strong point‑to‑point capability alongside higher cruise performance. On passenger capacity, the Bell 429 is commonly configured to carry more cabin occupants than the H135 in utility layouts, whereas the H135 tends to be optimized around flexible mission interiors such as EMS. The AW109 Grand New typically offers executive seating for a similar group size to the H135, with emphasis on comfort and baggage rather than maximum headcount.

SpecAIRBUS H135Bell 429WLG GlobalRangerAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 6.33$ 6.05$ 7.31
Min Crew111
Total Seats988
Flight RulesIFRIFRVFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardo
Aircraft NameH135429WLG GlobalRangerAW109 Grand New
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)342381464
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.79$ 0.76$ 0.91
Max Cabin Seats766
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)31242528
Standard Cabin Seats766
Direct Operating Cost$ 861$ 931$ 1,140
Flight Deck (Base Spec)HelionixBell BasiX-ProEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)136154156
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$6,150,000$7,700,000$ 7,800,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew111
Total Seats988
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats766
Standard Cabin Seats766
Engine
FADECYesYesYes
ModelArrius 2B2+PW207D1PW207C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040004000
Horsepower6601100735
No. of Engines222
Fuel Burn (gph)76
Fuel Capacity (gal)216.9152
Dimensions
Length (ft)33.54342.5
Overall Height (ft)12.612.3911.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)343635.5
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)173130
Width (ft)26.37
Cabin Width (ft)5
Cabin Height (ft)4
Cabin Length (ft)6.58
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)74