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Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Enstrom 480b

The Airbus H225 is a heavy twin‑engine helicopter designed for offshore transport, search and rescue, and utility missions. It typically carries around 16 to 19 passengers in an airline‑style layout and offers roughly a 450–500 nautical mile range depending on configuration, reserves, and payload. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet aimed at fast point‑to‑point travel; it usually seats 7 to 9 passengers (up to about 12 with optional seating) and can fly about 1,800–2,100 nautical miles, making it the clear leader in range and cruise speed among the three. The Enstrom 480B is a light single‑engine helicopter optimized for training, patrol, and utility work. It generally accommodates 4 to 5 people and has a typical range on the order of 250–350 nautical miles. In short, the H225 emphasizes lift and cabin capacity for rotary‑wing missions, the XLS+ emphasizes speed and long‑range corporate travel, and the 480B emphasizes simplicity, lower operating scale, and short‑range helicopter utility.

SpecAIRBUS H225Cessna Citation XLS+
Summary
Cockpit22
DOC / nm$ 20.87$ 5.34
Min Crew22
Total Seats2110
Flight RulesIFR
ManufacturerAirbus HelicoptersCessna Citation
Aircraft NameH225XLS+
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)4541906
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.99$ 0.67
Max Cabin Seats289
OEM VerificationUn-VerifiedVERIFIED
Useful Load (lbs)119297540
Standard Cabin Seats198
Direct Operating Cost$ 2,963$ 2,303
Flight Deck (Base Spec)EFISRockwell Collins Pro Line 21
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)142430
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$ 29,500,000$15,500,000
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew22
Total Seats2110
Max Cabin Seats289
Standard Cabin Seats198
Lavatory1 Enclosed Belted Flushing
Crew RestNo
Jump SeatNo
Galley LocationFWD
Lavatory LocationAFT
Cabin Pressure (psi)9.3
Galley / RefreshmentGalley
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)25230
Engine
FADECYesYes
ModelMakila 2A1PW545C
Fuel TypeJetFuel
TBO (hrs)35005000
Horsepower2100
No. of Engines22
Fuel Capacity (gal)684
Flat RatingISA + 10
Thrust (lbs)4119
Dimensions
Length (ft)63.452.5
Overall Height (ft)16.317.2
Rotor Diameter (ft)53.2
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)547
Wingspan (ft)56.3
Aisle Step (ft)0.7
Cabin Width (ft)5.5
Cabin Height (ft)5.7
Cabin Length (ft)18.5
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)3.9
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)14.3
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)80
Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft)10