Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless
The Airbus Helicopters H175 and H225 and the Bell 525 Relentless all sit in the “super-medium” to “heavy” twin‑engine offshore/utility category, but they differ in emphasis. The H175 is generally positioned as a super‑medium helicopter optimized for offshore transport with a balance of operating cost, cabin comfort, and capability. The H225 is a heavier, higher‑lift class aircraft aimed at missions needing more payload and typically offers longer reach and stronger hot‑and‑high or adverse‑weather margins than the H175. The Bell 525 is a modern fly‑by‑wire super‑medium competitor, intended to combine high cruise speed with long-range offshore performance and advanced avionics. In range terms, the H175 is commonly quoted around the mid‑400 nautical mile class, the H225 around the low‑to‑mid‑500 nautical mile class, and the Bell 525 typically around the mid‑500 nautical mile class depending on configuration and reserves. For passenger capacity, typical offshore seating is about 16 for the H175, about 19 for the H225, and about 16 to 20 for the Bell 525 depending on layout.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | $ 20.87 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 18 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Bell |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | H225 | 525 Relentless |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 454 | 580 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | $ 0.99 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 28 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 11929 | 6675 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 16 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | $ 2,963 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | Garmin G5000H |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 142 | 160 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | 18 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 28 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | 16 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Dual-Channel |
| Model | PT6A-67E | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 2100 | 1800 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 684 | 641 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 63.4 | 61.58 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 16.3 | 18.18 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 53.2 | 54.5 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | 547 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | — | 128 |
| Width (ft) | — | — | 25.77 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | — | 7.58 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | — | 4.5 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | — | 15.5 |