Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Leonardo Aw169
The Airbus Helicopters H145 sits in the light twin category and is typically chosen for short-to-medium missions such as EMS, law enforcement, and utility work. It generally offers a practical range on the order of a few hundred nautical miles and a cabin that commonly accommodates around seven to nine passengers in corporate/shuttle layouts, with flexible interiors depending on mission equipment. The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a larger, more modern medium twin, positioned above the H145 for comfort, speed, and longer legs. It generally provides a longer range than the H145—often roughly mid-hundreds of nautical miles—and is usually configured for about eight to twelve passengers depending on layout, making it well suited to offshore support and premium passenger transport. The Leonardo AW169 is also a light-intermediate twin that competes between the H145 and H160. Its typical range is comparable to, and often slightly above, the H145 and below the H160, and it is commonly arranged for around eight to ten passengers, balancing cabin volume with strong performance and mission flexibility.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H160 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | — | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | H160 | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 460 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | — | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 3992 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | — | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 155 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $14,000,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 14 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 12 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 12 | 10 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | HE Arrano | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | — | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 39.4 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 13.1 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 45.2 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | — | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | — | 49.5 |