Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225, Bell 525 Relentless, and Leonardo AW189 are all large, twin‑engine helicopters aimed at offshore transport, SAR, and utility roles, while the Pilatus PC‑24 is a twin‑engine fixed‑wing business jet optimized for point‑to‑point travel, including shorter and less‑prepared runways. In category terms, the H225 is the heaviest, long‑range heavy helicopter; the Bell 525 and AW189 sit in the “super‑medium” class, generally lighter and often cheaper to operate for similar missions. For range, the PC‑24 typically offers the longest practical trip length overall, commonly around the 2,000‑nautical‑mile class, whereas the helicopters are usually in the several‑hundred‑nautical‑mile class depending on payload and reserves. Among the helicopters, the H225 is commonly strongest on radius with meaningful payload; the 525 and AW189 are broadly comparable, mission‑fit dependent. For passenger capacity, the H225 is usually highest (often up to about 19), the 525 and AW189 typically sit around the mid‑teens to high‑teens in high‑density layouts, and the PC‑24 is normally configured for roughly 6–10 passengers in executive seating.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bell 525 Relentless | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | IFR | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bell | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | 525 Relentless | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 580 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 6675 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Garmin G5000H | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 160 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,000,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 18 | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 16 | 19 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 16 | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | — | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | — | No |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | — | 23500 |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | CT7-2F1 | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 4000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | 1800 | 1983 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | — | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | — | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 61.58 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 18.18 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | 54.5 | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 395 | — |
| Width (ft) | — | 25.77 | — | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 7.58 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 4.5 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 15.5 | — | 23 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 128 | 85 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | — | — | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | — | 90 |