Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H155 and Bell 429 GlobalRanger sit in the light–intermediate twin category, typically configured for around six to eight passengers in corporate or EMS-style layouts, with ranges that generally fall in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel, payload, and reserves. The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is a lighter, smaller twin than the H155/429 class, often optimized for five to seven passengers in VIP or utility configurations, and it is commonly used on shorter to medium point-to-point missions, with range broadly comparable to other light twins when similarly equipped. The Leonardo AW189 is a larger super-medium twin designed for higher payload and offshore/utility work; it typically carries more passengers (often in the mid- to high-teens in transport seating) and offers longer mission capability, with range commonly extending beyond the light–intermediate group when configured for endurance. In short, AW109 prioritizes speed and light-VIP efficiency, H155 and 429 balance cabin comfort and versatile missions, and AW189 leads on capacity and heavy-duty range-driven operations.
| Spec | AIRBUS H155 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 11.06 | $ 6.29 | $ 7.31 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 8 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H155 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW109 Grand New | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 423 | 365 | 464 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.91 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4012 | 2535 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,593 | $ 931 | $ 1,140 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 144 | 148 | 156 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,800,000 | $7,500,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 8 | 8 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 6 | 6 | 19 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2C2 | PW207D1 | PW207C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 943 | 1100 | 735 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 332 | 216.9 | 152 | — |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 46.9 | 43 | 42.5 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.3 | 13.25 | 11.5 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 41.1 | 36 | 35.5 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 235.2 | 130 | — | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 88.3 | 74 | — | 85 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — | — |