Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless
The Airbus Helicopters H175 sits in the “super-medium” category, aimed at offshore transport and SAR-style missions where a balance of cabin volume and operating cost matters. It typically carries around 16 passengers in an offshore configuration and offers a solid medium-to-long range, generally in the roughly 600 nautical mile class depending on fuel reserves and payload. The Airbus Helicopters H225 is a heavier “heavy/large” twin, optimized for higher payload and longer overwater legs. It commonly accommodates about 19 passengers offshore and is often selected when operators want maximum cabin capacity and strong long-range performance, generally comparable to or somewhat above the H175 depending on configuration. The Bell 525 Relentless is a modern “super-medium” twin positioned broadly against aircraft like the H175, with a similar typical offshore seating of about 16 passengers. Its range is also in the same general band as the H175, with mission capability depending heavily on payload, reserves, and tank configuration. Overall, H225 leads on capacity and heavy-lift capability, while H175 and 525 emphasize efficiency in the super-medium segment.
| 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 |