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Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Dassault Falcon 8x vs Leonardo Aw189

The Airbus H225 and Agusta/Leonardo AW189 are large, twin‑engine helicopters optimized for vertical access, offshore transport, and rescue-style missions rather than long nonstop cruise. In category, they sit well apart from the Cessna Citation XLS+ and Dassault Falcon 8X, which are fixed‑wing business jets designed for fast, high‑altitude point‑to‑point travel. For range, the Falcon 8X is the clear leader, capable of true intercontinental legs (roughly 6,400 nm class), while the Citation XLS+ is a midsize jet suited to regional and transcontinental trips (about 2,100 nm class). The H225 and AW189 have much shorter ranges than the jets (generally a few hundred nautical miles, mission and payload dependent), reflecting helicopter speed and fuel constraints. In passenger capacity, the Falcon 8X typically seats around 12–16 in executive layout, the Citation XLS+ usually about 7–9, while the AW189 and H225 can be configured for higher headcounts than most business jets, commonly around the mid‑teens to near twenty depending on cabin fit and mission equipment.

SpecAIRBUS H225Cessna Citation XLS+Dassault Falcon 8XAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit2222
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 5.34$ 7.66$ 15.57
Min Crew2221
Total Seats21101721
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersCessna CitationDassault FalconLeonardo
Aircraft NameH225XLS+8XAW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)45419066450651
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.67$ 0.64$ 0.74
Max Cabin Seats2891619
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)11929754036900
Standard Cabin Seats1981419
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 2,303$ 3,805$ 2,413
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISRockwell Collins Pro Line 21Honeywell Primus EASy IIEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142430516155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$15,500,000$ 62,500,000$2,413,000
Cabin
Cockpit2232
Min Crew2221
Total Seats21101721
Max Cabin Seats2891619
Standard Cabin Seats1981419
Lavatory1 Enclosed Belted Flushing2 Enclosed Flushing
Crew RestNoNo
Jump SeatNoYes
Galley LocationFWDFWD
Lavatory LocationAFTFWD / AFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)9.310.2
Galley / RefreshmentGalleyGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)2523029200
Max Cabin Altitude (ft)3900
Engine
FADECYesYesYesYes
ModelMakila 2A1PW545CPW307DCT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)35005000On-Condition4000
Horsepower21001983
No. of Engines2232
Fuel Capacity (gal)684
Flat RatingISA + 10ISA + 17
Thrust (lbs)41196722
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.452.580.257.8
Overall Height (ft)16.317.226.116.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.248
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)5471695395
Wingspan (ft)56.386.3
Aisle Step (ft)0.7
Cabin Width (ft)5.57.7
Cabin Height (ft)5.76.2
Cabin Length (ft)18.542.7
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.96.3
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)14.329.2
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)8085
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)10140