Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor
By category, the Airbus Helicopters H175, Bell 525 Relentless, and Leonardo AW139 are all medium twin‑engine helicopters typically used for offshore transport, SAR, and corporate/VIP missions, while the Leonardo AW109 Grand New is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter aimed more at VIP, EMS, and short‑to‑medium missions. The Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor, blending helicopter vertical takeoff/landing with airplane‑like cruise, and generally sits in a different category focused on higher speed and longer point‑to‑point legs. On range, the AW109 Grand New is usually the shortest‑leg option; the H175, AW139, and 525 cluster in the medium‑range class, with the 525 often marketed toward the upper end of that group depending on configuration. The AW609 typically offers the longest range in this set, reflecting its tiltrotor efficiency in cruise. On passenger capacity, the AW109 Grand New is commonly configured for around six to seven passengers in VIP layouts, while the H175, AW139, and Bell 525 are commonly configured around a dozen-plus seats. The AW609 typically carries fewer than the medium helicopters, often around nine passengers.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW609 Tiltrotor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | — | $ 7.31 | $ 11.69 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | 8 | 17 | — |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | VFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | 525 Relentless | AW109 Grand New | AW139 | AW609 Tiltrotor |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | — |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 580 | 464 | 573 | — |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | — | $ 0.91 | $ 0.69 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | 6 | 15 | — |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | — |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 6675 | — | 4701 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 6 | 15 | — |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | — | $ 1,140 | $ 1,929 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS | — |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 160 | 156 | 165 | — |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $15,000,000 | $ 7,800,000 | $15,900,000 | $20,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | — |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | 8 | 17 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | 6 | 15 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 6 | 15 | — |
| Engine | |||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | PT6A-67E | CT7-2F1 | PW207C | PT6C-67C | — |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 | — |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 1800 | 735 | 1679 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | — |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 641 | 152 | 414 | — |
| Dimensions | |||||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 61.58 | 42.5 | 54.7 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 18.18 | 11.5 | 16.4 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 54.5 | 35.5 | 54.7 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | — | — | 282 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | 128 | — | 120 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — | — | — |