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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H135 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 6.33 | $ 6.05 | $ 7.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H135 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 342 | 381 | 464 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.79 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3124 | 2528 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 861 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Helionix | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 154 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $6,150,000 | $7,700,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 9 | 8 | 8 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 7 | 6 | 6 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arrius 2B2+ | PW207D1 | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 660 | 1100 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 152 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 33.5 | 43 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 12.6 | 12.39 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 34 | 36 | 35.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 173 | 130 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 74 | — |