Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport and utility missions. The H225 generally sits in the heavier class with long over‑water legs and a typical passenger fit in the high‑teens to around 19, while the AW189 is slightly smaller, commonly configured around 16–19 passengers, with strong medium‑to‑long range capability but usually less overall lift than the H225. The Bell 525 Relentless is a newer super‑medium helicopter positioned between the AW189 and H225 in size; it targets offshore and corporate/VIP roles with a typical layout around 16–20 seats and range competitive with long‑range offshore profiles. By contrast, the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a fixed‑wing super‑light/midsize business jet: it carries fewer people in a standard executive cabin, typically about 7–9 passengers, but it offers substantially higher cruise speed and a longer point‑to‑point range than the helicopters, making it better suited to intercity travel rather than vertical‑lift missions.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Cessna Citation | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 1906 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 430 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| 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 | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | 4119 | — |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 52.5 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 17.2 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — | 395 |
| 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 | 85 |
| 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 | — |