Airbus Helicopters H160 vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H160 is a medium twin designed for efficient, relatively quiet operations and typically fits best in missions where a modern cabin, low operating footprint, and moderate lift are priorities. In category terms it sits below the Leonardo AW139 and AW189 in overall size and payload class. Its practical range is generally in the medium segment, commonly on the order of roughly 450–550 nautical miles depending on configuration and reserves. Passenger capacity is usually around 10–12 in typical passenger layouts, with higher-density seating possible for specific roles. The Leonardo AW139 is a larger, higher-lift medium twin that is widely used for offshore transport and EMS. It generally offers longer legs than the H160 in comparable mission fit, often around roughly 550–700 nautical miles, and it typically seats about 12–15 passengers in offshore-style configurations. The Leonardo AW189 is a heavier super-medium optimized for offshore and longer-range missions. It commonly provides the greatest range of the three, often roughly 700–800+ nautical miles, and the largest passenger capacity, typically around 16–19 depending on layout and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H160 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H160 | AW139 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 460 | 573 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 15 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 3992 | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 15 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 155 | 165 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $14,000,000 | $15,900,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 11.69 | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.69 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 1,929 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 14 | 17 | 21 |
| Configuration | Green Interior | — | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 12 | 15 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 15 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | HE Arrano | PT6C-67C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Horsepower | — | 1679 | 1983 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 39.4 | 54.7 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 13.1 | 16.4 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 45.2 | 54.7 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 282 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 120 | 85 |