Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Bombardier Global 7500 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are helicopters optimized for shorter missions than the business-jet-class Bombardier Global 7500. The H225 is a heavy twin-engine helicopter used for offshore transport, search and rescue, and utility roles; it typically offers a few hundred nautical miles of practical range and commonly carries roughly 16–19 passengers depending on layout. The Bell 525 Relentless is a newer super-medium twin aimed at offshore and corporate shuttle missions; its range is generally in the mid-hundreds of nautical miles with typical seating around 16–20 passengers in high-density configurations. The MD 902 Explorer is a light twin often used for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate transport; it has the shortest range of the group (generally a couple hundred nautical miles) and usually carries about 6–8 passengers. By contrast, the Bombardier Global 7500 is an ultra-long-range business jet designed for intercontinental travel, offering roughly 7,700 nautical miles of range and typically seating about 14–19 passengers (with higher-density options possible), making it the clear choice for long-haul missions rather than vertical-lift operations.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Bombardier Global 7500 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 9.50 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 14 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Bombardier |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | Global 7500 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 7700 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.79 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 12 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 4,900 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $75,000,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | — | Business Jet |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 14 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 12 |
| Lavatory | — | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | Yes |
| Jump Seat | — | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD / AFT |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Galley |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 4500 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | Passport |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 15 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 18920 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 111 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 27 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 8 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 54.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 104 |