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.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 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 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | 85 |