Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor
The Airbus Helicopters H175 and H225 are conventional twin‑engine, medium and heavy helicopters respectively, while the Leonardo AW609 is a twin‑engine tiltrotor that takes off and lands like a helicopter but cruises more like a fixed‑wing aircraft. In category terms, the H175 is typically positioned for offshore transport, search and rescue, and utility missions with a medium‑lift profile; the H225 is a larger, heavier‑lift platform commonly selected when higher payload, cabin volume, and rough‑weather offshore capability are priorities; the AW609 is aimed at point‑to‑point speed and range, bridging helicopter access with airplane‑like cruise. For range, the AW609 generally offers the longest legs thanks to its higher cruise efficiency, the H225 usually provides longer reach than the H175, and the H175 sits in the middle‑range class for its size. For passenger capacity, the H225 typically carries the most (often configured around the high‑teens to low‑twenties), the H175 is commonly configured in the mid‑teens, and the AW609 is notably smaller, generally around nine passengers depending on layout and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | $ 20.87 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | — |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | H225 | AW609 Tiltrotor |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 454 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | $ 0.99 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 28 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 11929 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | $ 2,963 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | — |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 142 | — |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $ 29,500,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 21 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 28 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 19 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | PT6A-67E | Makila 2A1 | — |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 3500 | — |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 2100 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 684 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 63.4 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 16.3 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 53.2 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | 547 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | — | — |