Airbus Helicopters H175 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw169 vs Leonardo Aw189
By category, the Airbus Helicopters H175 and Leonardo AW189 sit in the super-medium class for offshore and high-utilization transport, while the Bell 525 Relentless is a newer large/super-medium platform aimed at similar missions with an emphasis on higher cruise performance. The Leonardo AW169 is a smaller intermediate/light-twin helicopter, typically used for corporate, EMS, and shorter-range utility roles rather than heavy offshore lift. On range, the Bell 525 and AW189 are generally the longest-legged of the group in typical passenger-transport configurations, with the H175 close behind; all three are commonly suited to longer offshore sectors. The AW169 has a shorter overall range profile, reflecting its lighter weight class and smaller fuel/airframe envelope. For passenger capacity, the AW169 is the smallest, usually configured around 8–10 passengers depending on layout. The H175 and AW189 are larger, commonly arranged around 16–19 passengers. The Bell 525 is in the same general band and is often marketed for roughly 16–20 passengers depending on configuration and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H175 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW169 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 13.53 | — | $ 11.84 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | 12 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H175 | 525 Relentless | AW169 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 573 | 580 | 440 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.75 | — | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | 10 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6797 | 6675 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 10 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,016 | — | $ 1,658 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 149 | 160 | 140 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $17,900,000 | $15,000,000 | $9,450,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 18 | 12 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 18 | 16 | 10 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 16 | 10 | 19 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | PT6A-67E | CT7-2F1 | PW210A | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1775 | 1800 | 1000 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | — | 641 | — | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 59.2 | 61.58 | 48.1 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 17.5 | 18.18 | 14.8 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 48.5 | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 423.8 | — | 222.5 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 81.9 | 128 | 49.5 | 85 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — | — |