Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 429 Globalranger vs Leonardo Aw139
The Airbus Helicopters H175 and Leonardo AW139 sit in the medium, twin‑engine class, while the Bell 429 GlobalRanger is a lighter twin designed for shorter missions and lower operating weight. In range, the H175 and AW139 generally offer longer legs than the Bell 429, making them more suitable for offshore transport, longer‑distance corporate or utility flying, and missions where reserves and payload at distance matter. The Bell 429 typically provides a solid but shorter range profile aligned with regional EMS, law enforcement, and city‑to‑city work. For passenger capacity, the AW139 and H175 usually accommodate more people, commonly configured around 12–16 passengers depending on layout, mission equipment, and regulatory seating limits, whereas the Bell 429 is typically arranged for fewer occupants, often around 6–8 passengers in a corporate configuration (or a similar total when mission equipment is installed). Overall, the Bell 429 prioritizes agility and efficiency in the light‑twin segment, while the H175 and AW139 emphasize higher cabin volume, payload, and longer mission capability.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 429 GlobalRanger | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | $ 6.29 | $ 11.69 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | 429 GlobalRanger | AW139 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 365 | 573 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.69 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 6 | 15 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 2535 | 4701 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 15 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | $ 931 | $ 1,929 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bell BasiX-Pro | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 148 | 165 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $7,500,000 | $15,900,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 8 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 6 | 15 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 6 | 15 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-67E | PW207D1 | PT6C-67C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 1100 | 1679 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Burn (gph) | — | 76 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 216.9 | 414 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 43 | 54.7 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 13.25 | 16.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 36 | 54.7 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | 130 | 282 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | 74 | 120 |
| Width (ft) | — | 26.37 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 6.58 | — |