Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Gulfstream G700 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Airbus H225 and the MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer are both helicopters, optimized for vertical lift and short-hop utility rather than long-range cruising. The H225 is a heavy, long-range rotorcraft typically used for offshore transport and search-and-rescue; it generally carries around 16–19 passengers and can fly roughly 450–500 nautical miles depending on configuration. The 902 Explorer is a lighter helicopter aimed at corporate, utility, and law-enforcement roles, usually seating about 6–8 passengers with a typical range around 300–350 nautical miles. The Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet designed for regional missions and frequent airport access; it commonly seats about 8–9 passengers and offers roughly 2,000 nautical miles of range. The Gulfstream G700 is an ultra-long-range large-cabin business jet intended for intercontinental travel, typically carrying about 13–19 passengers in executive layouts and reaching approximately 7,500 nautical miles, making it the clear leader in range and cabin space among the four.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Cessna Citation XLS+ | Gulfstream G700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 5.34 | — |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 16 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Cessna Citation | Gulfstream |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | XLS+ | G700 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | In Development |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1906 | 7500 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.67 | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 12 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,303 | — |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 430 | 516 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,500,000 | $78,000,000 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 16 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 12 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | Optional |
| Jump Seat | — | No | Yes |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | FWD / AFT |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | — |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | PW545C | Pearl 700 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 | On Condition |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | 18250 |
| Dimensions | |||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 52.5 | 109.9 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 17.2 | 25.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | 103 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5.5 | 8.2 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.7 | 6.25 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 18.5 | 56.9 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 80 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | 195 |