AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Md Helicopters Md 902 Exlplorer vs Sikorsky S 76d

By category, the Airbus H155 and Sikorsky S‑76D sit in the medium twin class used widely for offshore and corporate missions, while the Airbus H160 is a newer-generation medium twin emphasizing efficiency and low noise. The Leonardo AW139 is generally considered a super‑medium twin with higher payload/cabin volume than typical medium twins, whereas the Leonardo AW169 is a lighter intermediate/light‑medium twin positioned below the AW139. The MD Helicopters MD 902 Explorer is a light twin (NOTAR) often used for EMS, law enforcement, and utility work rather than heavy offshore lift. On range, the H160 and AW139 are typically the longest‑legged in this group, often around the mid‑400 to ~500+ nautical mile class depending on configuration. The H155, S‑76D, and AW169 commonly fall in a similar but slightly shorter band, often roughly the low‑to‑mid‑400 nautical mile class, again configuration‑dependent. The MD 902 is usually shorter‑range than the medium twins, commonly around the ~300+ nautical mile class. For passenger capacity, AW139 and H160 frequently seat the most in typical layouts (often around 12), H155 and S‑76D are usually around 10–12, AW169 commonly around 8–10, and MD 902 typically around 7–8.

SpecAIRBUS H155AIRBUS H160AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169MD Helicopters MD 902 ExlplorerSikorsky S-76D
Summary
Cockpit222222
DOC / nm$ 11.06$ 11.69$ 11.84$ 7.54$ 11.49
Min Crew222112
Total Seats14141712812
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFRIFRVFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersAirbus HelicoptersLeonardoLeonardoMD HelicotpersSikorsky
Aircraft NameH155H160AW139AW169MD 902 ExlplorerS-76D
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)423460573440317441
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.74$ 0.69$ 0.99$ 0.94$ 0.96
Max Cabin Seats12121510610
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-VerifiedUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)4012399247013125
Standard Cabin Seats12121510610
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,593$ 1,929$ 1,658$ 988$ 1,781
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISEFISEFISEFISGarmin G500HThales TopDeck
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)144155165140131155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$14,800,000$14,000,000 $15,900,000 $9,450,000 $7,250,000 $14,900,000
Cabin
Cockpit222222
Min Crew222112
Total Seats14141712812
ConfigurationGreen InteriorGreen Interior
Max Cabin Seats12121510610
Standard Cabin Seats12121510610
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYesNoYes
ModelArriel 2C2HE ArranoPT6C-67CPW210APW207EPW210S
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)400040005000400040004000
Horsepower943167910007101077
No. of Engines222221
Fuel Capacity (gal)332414159296
Fuel Burn (gph)65
Dimensions
Length (ft)46.939.454.748.140.652.5
Overall Height (ft)14.313.116.414.81214.5
Rotor Diameter (ft)41.145.254.733.944
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)235.2282222.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)88.312049.5