Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Boeing Bbj Max 9 vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are helicopters optimized for short-to-medium missions with vertical lift, offshore, EMS, and utility roles; they trade speed and range for access to confined areas. The H225 is the larger, longer-legged option, typically carrying around 16–19 passengers in transport layouts and offering roughly 450–500 nautical miles of range depending on configuration. The MD 902 is smaller, commonly seating about 7–8 passengers, with a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles. The Dassault Falcon 8X and Boeing BBJ MAX 9 are long-range business jets aimed at point-to-point travel. The Falcon 8X prioritizes ultra-long range and efficiency, flying about 6,450 nautical miles with a typical cabin for 12–16 passengers (and higher maximums in dense layouts). The BBJ MAX 9 emphasizes cabin volume and customization; it can be outfitted for roughly 19–50 passengers depending on VIP configuration, with range generally around 6,000–6,600 nautical miles with auxiliary tanks.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Boeing BBJ MAX 9 | Dassault Falcon 8X |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 15.74 | $ 7.66 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 12 | 17 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Boeing | Dassault Falcon |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | BBJ MAX 9 | 8X |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 6376 | 6450 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 1.97 | $ 0.64 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 35 | 16 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 77120 | 36900 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 14 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 7,396 | $ 3,805 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Honeywell | Honeywell Primus EASy II |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 470 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $107,700,000 | $ 62,500,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 17 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 35 | 16 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 14 |
| Configuration | — | Green Interior | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9 | 10.2 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 24000 | 29200 |
| Lavatory | — | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | — | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | — | FWD / AFT |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | — | Galley |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 3900 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | LEAP-1B | PW307D |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | On-Condition |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 15 | ISA + 17 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 28000 | 6722 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 138.4 | 80.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 40.3 | 26.1 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 1695 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 117.9 | 86.3 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 11.6 | 7.7 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 7.1 | 6.2 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 107.2 | 42.7 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 10.7 | 6.3 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 100.6 | 29.2 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 1485 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 140 |