Airbus Helicopters H215 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus Helicopters H215 and Leonardo AW189 sit in broadly similar medium-to-super-medium, twin‑engine categories, but they are optimized a bit differently. The H215 is a larger, heavier “medium-lift” helicopter derived from the Super Puma family and is commonly positioned for utility transport, offshore support, and public-service missions where robust payload and cabin volume are priorities. The AW189 is typically described as a super-medium helicopter aimed heavily at offshore and SAR markets, emphasizing modern avionics and efficient operations in its class. On range, both are designed for offshore legs and extended missions, with typical published ranges in broadly comparable bands depending on fuel, payload, and configuration; in many real-world setups the AW189 is often quoted around the high‑400 to low‑500 nautical mile class, while the H215 is frequently cited in a similar neighborhood, sometimes slightly higher with auxiliary fuel and mission tradeoffs. For passenger capacity, both can be configured for roughly the mid‑teens to around 19 passengers, with layouts varying by operator, fuel reserves, and mission equipment.
| Spec | AIRBUS H215 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 19.07 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H215 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 468 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.91 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 8903 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,708 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $27,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 22 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 1A1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1820 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 540 | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 61.4 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.2 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 51.2 | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 473.9 | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |