Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 429wlg Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw189
All five are twin‑engine, IFR‑capable helicopters aimed at offshore, EMS, corporate and utility work, but they sit in different weight and mission classes. The Airbus H160 is a modern medium helicopter, typically carrying about 10–12 passengers and offering roughly 450–480 nm of range depending on configuration. The Airbus H175 is a larger “super‑medium” optimized for offshore transport, commonly configured for about 16–18 passengers, with range often around 540–650 nm. The Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger is a light‑twin, frequently used for EMS and corporate missions, usually accommodating about 6–7 passengers, with range generally around 390–410 nm. The Leonardo AW139 is a widely used medium helicopter with flexible interiors; typical passenger layouts are about 12–15, and range is commonly around 540–570 nm. The Leonardo AW189 is a larger super‑medium with higher payload and offshore emphasis, often seating about 16–19 passengers, with range typically around 500–560 nm. Actual figures vary with tanks, payload, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H160 | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 429WLG GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H160 | H175 | 429WLG GlobalRanger | AW139 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 460 | 573 | 381 | 573 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3992 | 6797 | 2528 | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 149 | 154 | 165 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,000,000 | $17,900,000 | $7,700,000 | $15,900,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 13.53 | $ 6.05 | $ 11.69 | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.75 | $ 0.76 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,016 | $ 931 | $ 1,929 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 18 | 8 | 17 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 18 | 6 | 15 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 16 | 6 | 15 | 19 |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HE Arrano | PT6A-67E | PW207D1 | PT6C-67C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 1775 | 1100 | 1679 | 1983 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | — | 76 | — | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | — | 216.9 | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 39.4 | 59.2 | 43 | 54.7 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 17.5 | 12.39 | 16.4 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 45.2 | 48.5 | 36 | 54.7 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 423.8 | 130 | 282 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 81.9 | 74 | 120 | 85 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 26.37 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 5 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 6.58 | — | — |