Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Bombardier Global 7500 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are both rotorcraft optimized for vertical lift missions rather than long-range point‑to‑point travel. The H225 is a large, long‑range transport helicopter typically used for offshore, SAR, and utility roles, with roughly 540 nautical miles of range and seating commonly around 16–19 passengers depending on configuration. The MD 902 is a lighter twin‑engine helicopter aimed at EMS, law enforcement, and corporate/utility work, with about 300 nautical miles of range and usually 5–8 passengers. By contrast, the Bombardier Global 7500 and Cessna Citation XLS+ are fixed‑wing business jets focused on fast, long-distance travel. The Global 7500 is an ultra‑long‑range flagship with about 7,700 nautical miles of range and a typical cabin load around 14–19 passengers (higher in dense layouts). The Citation XLS+ is a super‑midsize/light jet suited to regional and transcontinental missions, offering roughly 2,100 nautical miles of range and typically seating 8–9 passengers.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Bombardier Global 7500 | Cessna Citation XLS+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 9.50 | $ 5.34 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 14 | 10 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Bombardier | Cessna Citation |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | Global 7500 | XLS+ |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 7700 | 1906 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.79 | $ 0.67 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 9 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — | 7540 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 12 | 8 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 4,900 | $ 2,303 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Bombardier Vision (Pro Line Fusion) | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 516 | 430 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $75,000,000 | $15,500,000 |
| Aircraft Type | — | Business Jet | — |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 14 | 10 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 9 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 12 | 8 |
| Lavatory | — | 2 Enclosed Flushing | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | Yes | No |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | AFT |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | Galley |
| Max Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 4500 | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | — | 9.3 |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | — | 25230 |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | Passport | PW545C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On-Condition | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 15 | ISA + 10 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 18920 | 4119 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 111 | 52.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 27 | 17.2 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 104 | 56.3 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 8 | 5.5 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6.2 | 5.7 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 54.5 | 18.5 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | — | 0.7 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | — | 3.9 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | — | 14.3 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 80 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | — | 10 |