Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna 208b Grand Caravan Ex vs Gulfstream G700 vs Leonardo Aw189
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are large twin‑engine helicopters suited to offshore transport, SAR, and utility missions. They trade cruise speed for vertical lift and typically fly a few hundred nautical miles per trip, with the H225 generally offering the higher payload/seat potential in high‑density layouts, while the AW189 is commonly configured in the mid‑teens for passengers with similar short‑to‑medium mission ranges. The Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX is a single‑engine turboprop utility airplane aimed at regional, rugged, and short‑field operations. It carries roughly 9–14 passengers depending on configuration and has a much longer stage range than the helicopters, commonly around the 900–1,000+ nautical mile class. The Gulfstream G700 is an ultra‑long‑range business jet built for intercontinental travel. It typically seats around 12–19 in executive layouts and has by far the greatest range of the group, roughly in the 7,000+ nautical mile class, while cruising much faster than the turboprop and helicopters.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Gulfstream G700 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | — | $ 15.57 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 16 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Gulfstream | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | G700 | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 7500 | 651 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | — | $ 0.74 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | — | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 12 | 19 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | — | $ 2,413 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $78,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 16 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 19 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 12 | 19 |
| Crew Rest | — | Optional | — |
| Jump Seat | — | Yes | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | FWD / AFT | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | — | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | Pearl 700 | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | On Condition | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 18250 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 109.9 | 57.8 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 25.4 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 395 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 103 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 8.2 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 6.25 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 56.9 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 195 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | — | 85 |