Airbus Helicopters H225 vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Pilatus Pc 24
The Airbus H225 and Leonardo AW189 are twin‑engine helicopters optimized for offshore, search‑and‑rescue, and utility missions rather than point‑to‑point jet travel. The H225 is the larger “super‑medium” type, generally offering longer practical mission radius and higher typical seating than the AW189, with common configurations around the mid‑teens to roughly twenty passengers depending on layout. The AW189 is also a super‑medium helicopter, usually configured for roughly a dozen to mid‑teens passengers, with range suited to offshore sectors rather than transcontinental legs. The Cessna Citation XLS+ and Pilatus PC‑24 are light business jets designed for faster, longer point‑to‑point transport. The XLS+ typically carries about 7–9 passengers and offers roughly a 1,700–2,100 nautical mile class range depending on load and conditions. The PC‑24 usually seats about 6–10 passengers and delivers a similar roughly 2,000‑nautical‑mile class range, while standing out for its ability to operate from shorter or semi‑prepared runways compared with most jets in its category.
| Spec | AIRBUS H225 | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 | Pilatus PC-24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 20.87 | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 | $ 3.71 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 21 | 6 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR | — |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Cessna Citation | Leonardo | Pilatus |
| Aircraft Name | H225 | XLS+ | AW189 | PC-24 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 454 | 1906 | 651 | 2076 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.99 | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 | $ 0.62 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | VERIFIED | Un-Verified | VERIFIED |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 11929 | 7540 | — | 6680 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 2,963 | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 | $ 1,619 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | EFIS | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS | Pilatus ACE (Primus Apex) |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 142 | 430 | 155 | 440 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $ 29,500,000 | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 | $11,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 21 | 10 | 21 | 6 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 28 | 9 | 19 | 10 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 19 | 8 | 19 | 6 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — | 1 Enclosed Flushing |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — | No |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — | No |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — | FWD |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — | FWD |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — | 9.3 |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — | Optional Refreshment Center |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | — | 23500 |
| Cargo Door | — | — | — | Yes |
| Engine | ||||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Makila 2A1 | PW545C | CT7-2E1 | FJ44-4A-QPM |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel | — |
| TBO (hrs) | 3500 | 5000 | 4000 | 5000 |
| Horsepower | 2100 | — | 1983 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 684 | — | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | — | ISA + 23 |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — | 3435 |
| Dimensions | ||||
| Length (ft) | 63.4 | 52.5 | 57.8 | 52.2 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 16.3 | 17.2 | 16.6 | 17.4 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 53.2 | — | 48 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | 547 | — | 395 | — |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | — | 55.8 |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — | Flat Floor |
| Cabin Width (ft) | — | 5.5 | — | 5.6 |
| Cabin Height (ft) | — | 5.7 | — | 5.1 |
| Cabin Length (ft) | — | 18.5 | — | 23 |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — | 3.8 |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — | 17 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 80 | 85 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | — | 90 |