Airbus Helicopters H215 vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Sikorsky S 92
All three are twin‑engine, medium‑to‑heavy utility helicopters used for offshore transport, SAR, and government missions, but they sit in different weight classes. The Airbus Helicopters H215 (a modernized Super Puma family aircraft) is typically positioned as a heavy‑utility option with generous cabin volume and strong lift, generally accommodating around 19 passengers in high‑density seating (with fewer in comfort/VIP layouts). The Leonardo AW139 is a medium twin that emphasizes speed and versatility; it commonly carries about 12–15 passengers depending on fit, making it a frequent choice where operating cost, footprint, and rapid turnarounds matter. The Sikorsky S‑92 is a larger, heavy twin optimized for offshore and high‑utilization operations, often configured for about 19 passengers in typical offshore seating. In range, all can be equipped to cover several hundred nautical miles, but in broad terms the AW139 and H215 often fall in a similar medium‑to‑upper‑medium range bracket depending on tanks and payload, while the S‑92 is commonly selected when operators want a larger aircraft with robust offshore legs and payload margins.
| Spec | AIRBUS H215 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139 | Sikorsky S-92 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 19.07 | $ 11.69 | $ 19.79 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo | Sikorsky |
| Aircraft Name | H215 | AW139 | S-92 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 468 | 573 | 439 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.91 | $ 0.69 | $ 0.94 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 15 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 8903 | 4701 | 7417 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 15 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,708 | $ 1,929 | $ 3,068 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 165 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $27,500,000 | $15,900,000 | $30,650,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 17 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 15 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 15 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 1A1 | PT6C-67C | CT7-8A |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1820 | 1679 | 2520 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 540 | 414 | 760 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 61.4 | 54.7 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.2 | 16.4 | 17.8 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 51.2 | 54.7 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 473.9 | 282 | 775 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 120 | 140 |