Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Boeing Bbj Max 9 vs Dassault Falcon 8x
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are long-range helicopters aimed at offshore, SAR, and VIP missions, while the Boeing BBJ MAX 9 and Dassault Falcon 8X are fixed‑wing business jets designed for faster intercity and intercontinental travel. In category, the H225 is a heavy twin-engine rotorcraft and the 525 is a super‑medium twin; the BBJ MAX 9 is a large-cabin airliner-derived business jet, and the Falcon 8X is a purpose-built ultra‑long‑range trijet. In range, the helicopters are typically in the few-hundred–nautical‑mile class, with the H225 generally offering longer legs than many medium types and the 525 targeting similar long overwater segments depending on configuration. The Falcon 8X reaches roughly 6,450 nm, enabling true intercontinental missions, while the BBJ MAX 9 is also intercontinental, typically around the mid‑6,000‑nm class depending on fit and reserves. In passenger capacity, the H225 can seat around 19 in high-density transport (fewer for VIP), the 525 is commonly configured around 16–20, the Falcon 8X typically carries about 12–16 in executive layouts, and the BBJ MAX 9 can accommodate far more—often 25–50+ in VIP configurations, or well over 100 in airline-style seating.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Boeing BBJ MAX 9 | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 15.74 | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 12 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Boeing | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | BBJ MAX 9 | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 6376 | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 1.97 | $ 0.64 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 35 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 77120 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 7,396 | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Honeywell | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 470 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $107,700,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 10 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 35 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 | 14 |
| Configuration | — | — | Green Interior | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9 | 10.2 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 24000 | 29200 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | — | FWD / AFT |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Galley |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 3900 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | LEAP-1B | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 28000 | 6722 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 138.4 | 80.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 40.3 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — | 1695 |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 11.6 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 7.1 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 107.2 | 42.7 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | 1485 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 117.9 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 10.7 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 100.6 | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 140 |