Airbus Helicopters H145 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H145 is a light twin in the 3.5–3.8‑ton class, typically used for EMS, law enforcement, and short-hop corporate or utility missions. It generally carries about 6 to 9 passengers in a high-density cabin (or fewer with mission equipment), and its practical range is roughly in the 600–700 km class depending on fit and reserves. The Airbus Helicopters H175 is a super‑medium helicopter around the 7‑ton class, aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and higher-end corporate or VIP roles. It commonly seats about 12 to 16 passengers, with a typical mission range around 1,000 km, again varying with payload and fuel options. The Leonardo AW189 is also a super‑medium in the same broad weight category as the H175, optimized heavily for offshore and SAR. It typically accommodates around 16 to 18 passengers in transport layout, with a comparable range often around 900–1,000 km depending on configuration. Overall, H145 prioritizes agility and lower operating cost, while H175 and AW189 prioritize payload, cabin volume, and longer legs.
| Spec | AIRBUS H145 | AIRBUS H175 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 9.31 | $ 13.53 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H145 | H175 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 352 | 573 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.93 | $ 0.75 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 18 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4200 | 6797 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 16 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,210 | $ 2,016 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 130 | 149 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $10,200,000 | $17,900,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 10 | 18 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 9 | 18 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 8 | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2E | PT6A-67E | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 894 | 1775 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 44.8 | 59.2 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13 | 17.5 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 48.5 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 166 | 423.8 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 46.8 | 81.9 | 85 |