AIR.ONE

Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Airbus H225 sits in the heavy, long-range offshore/utility category, typically carrying around 19 passengers and offering roughly 800+ km class range depending on fit and reserves, making it well suited to offshore energy, SAR, and high-payload transport. The Leonardo AW189 is a super‑medium helicopter aimed at offshore and corporate/utility missions; it commonly seats about 16–19 passengers and delivers mid-to-long range in the roughly 700–800 km class, trading a bit of payload and cabin volume versus heavy types for lower operating footprint. The Bell 525 Relentless is also a super‑medium, designed for modern offshore and executive roles, generally configured for about 16–19 passengers, with projected range also in the mid‑to‑upper hundreds of kilometers (about 700–800+ km class) depending on configuration. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a much lighter twin intended for EMS, law enforcement, and corporate shuttle; it typically carries about 8–10 passengers and has a shorter range, commonly around the 500–600 km class, prioritizing agility and lower operating costs over cabin size and endurance.

SpecAIRBUS H225Bell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 15.57
Min Crew221
Total Seats211821
Flight RulesIFRIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersBellLeonardo
Aircraft NameH225525 RelentlessAW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)454580651
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats281619
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)119296675
Standard Cabin Seats191619
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 2,413
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISGarmin G5000HEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142160155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$15,000,000$2,413,000
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew221
Total Seats211821
Max Cabin Seats281619
Standard Cabin Seats191619
Engine
FADECYesDual-ChannelYes
ModelMakila 2A1CT7-2F1CT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)350040004000
Horsepower210018001983
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)684641
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.461.5857.8
Overall Height (ft)16.318.1816.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.254.548
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)547395
Width (ft)25.77
Cabin Width (ft)7.58
Cabin Height (ft)4.5
Cabin Length (ft)15.5
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)12885