Airbus Helicopters H215 vs Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H215 sits in the medium-lift, twin-engine category and is typically positioned as a more utilitarian, cost-conscious member of the Super Puma family. It offers solid medium-range capability and generally carries fewer passengers than the larger H225, often being configured around the high-teens to low‑20s depending on mission fit and seating density. The Airbus Helicopters H225 is the heavier, more powerful option in the same family, commonly used for offshore transport and SAR, with longer effective range and higher passenger capacity; typical offshore layouts are around 19 passengers, and high-density arrangements can be higher depending on configuration and regulations. The Leonardo AW189 is a modern super-medium twin aimed squarely at offshore and SAR; it generally delivers range comparable to, or better than, many medium twins and offers a typical passenger capacity in the mid‑teens (often up to about 16–19 in common layouts), usually below an H225 but competitive with an H215 depending on configuration. Actual range and seats vary significantly with payload, fuel reserves, cabin layout, and regulatory requirements.
| Spec | AIRBUS H215 | AIRBUS H225 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 19.07 | $ 20.87 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H215 | H225 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 468 | 454 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.91 | $ 0.99 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 28 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 8903 | 11929 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,708 | $ 2,963 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $27,500,000 | $ 29,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 28 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 1A1 | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3000 | 3500 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1820 | 2100 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 540 | 684 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 61.4 | 63.4 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.2 | 16.3 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 51.2 | 53.2 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 473.9 | 547 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |