Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls
The Airbus H225 and Bell 525 Relentless are large twin‑engine helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a light business jet, so their range and capacity reflect very different mission profiles. The Airbus H225 is typically used for offshore energy support, search and rescue, and government transport; it offers a large cabin and generally seats more people than the Bell 525, with typical passenger layouts around the mid‑teens and maximum seating often higher depending on configuration. Its range is commonly on the order of roughly 500–600 nautical miles, varying with fuel, payload, and reserves. The Bell 525 is a newer super‑medium helicopter aimed at corporate and offshore roles, usually configured for about 10–16 passengers, with a broadly similar but often slightly shorter practical range in the ~450–560 nautical mile class depending on mission profile. The Citation XLS+ is a fixed‑wing jet designed for fast point‑to‑point travel; it typically carries about 7–9 passengers and has significantly longer range than either helicopter, roughly around 1,800–2,100 nautical miles, along with much higher cruise speed.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 5.34 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | XLS+ |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1906 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.67 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 7540 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,303 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 430 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Galley |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 25230 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | PW545C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 10 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 4119 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 17.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | 18.5 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | 80 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | 56.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | 0.7 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 14.3 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 10 |