Airbus Helicopters H155 vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H155 and Leonardo AW169 sit in the light–intermediate class, typically chosen for corporate/VIP transport, EMS, and offshore support where cabin comfort and operating economy matter. The larger Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium helicopter aimed more directly at high‑payload offshore and SAR missions, trading higher operating costs for substantially more lift and cabin volume. On range, the H155 and AW169 are broadly comparable, generally offering practical ranges in the mid‑hundreds of nautical miles depending on fuel fit and mission profile, with many configurations landing around roughly 400–450 nm. The AW189 often achieves a similar or somewhat greater practical range in typical offshore configurations, and can be configured for extended‑range missions, but real‑world endurance varies strongly with payload and reserves. On passenger capacity, the AW169 usually carries up to about 8–10 passengers in standard passenger layouts. The H155 is typically around 10–12 passengers depending on configuration. The AW189 stands out with higher capacity, commonly around 16–19 passengers in offshore/transport layouts, making it the best fit when seat count and payload are primary drivers.
| Spec | AIRBUS H155 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 11.06 | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 12 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H155 | AW169 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 423 | 440 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.74 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 4012 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 1,593 | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 144 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,800,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 12 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 10 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2C2 | PW210A | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 943 | 1000 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 332 | — | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 46.9 | 48.1 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 14.3 | 14.8 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 41.1 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 235.2 | 222.5 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 88.3 | 49.5 | 85 |