Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169
All five are modern civil twin‑engine helicopters, but they span different weight classes and mission focus. The Airbus H155 and Leonardo AW169 sit in the light‑intermediate segment, commonly configured for roughly 8–12 passengers depending on interior and mission kit; both are typically chosen for corporate transport, EMS, and light offshore, with AW169 often positioned as the newer, higher‑performance option and the H155 as a proven, comfortable cabin platform. The Airbus H160 is a newer medium‑class design aimed at premium offshore and corporate missions, generally accommodating around 10–14 passengers and offering longer legs than light‑intermediate types, with published range commonly in the mid‑400 nautical mile class depending on configuration. The Leonardo AW139 is a widely used medium twin that usually carries about 12–15 passengers and is valued for strong payload and offshore capability, with range broadly comparable to other mediums (often roughly 400–500 nm, mission dependent). The Bell 525 Relentless is a super‑medium, designed for higher capacity and longer reach, commonly targeting about 16–20 passengers and ranges that can approach or exceed the ~500 nm class depending on fuel and reserves.
| Spec | AIRBUS H155 | AIRBUS H160 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 11.06 | — | — | $ 11.69 | $ 11.84 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H155 | H160 | 525 Relentless | AW139 | AW169 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 423 | 460 | 580 | 573 | 440 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | — | — | $ 0.69 | $ 0.99 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4012 | 3992 | 6675 | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,593 | — | — | $ 1,929 | $ 1,658 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 144 | 155 | 160 | 165 | 140 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,800,000 | $14,000,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,900,000 | $9,450,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 14 | 18 | 17 | 12 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 12 | 16 | 15 | 10 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2C2 | HE Arrano | CT7-2F1 | PT6C-67C | PW210A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 943 | — | 1800 | 1679 | 1000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 332 | — | 641 | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 46.9 | 39.4 | 61.58 | 54.7 | 48.1 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.3 | 13.1 | 18.18 | 16.4 | 14.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 41.1 | 45.2 | 54.5 | 54.7 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 235.2 | — | — | 282 | 222.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 88.3 | — | 128 | 120 | 49.5 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 7.58 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 15.5 | — | — |