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Bell 525 Relentless vs Boeing Bbj Max 9 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer

The Bell 525 Relentless is a super‑medium twin helicopter aimed at fast, long‑range vertical missions; in typical layouts it carries roughly 12–16 passengers and offers on the order of 500–600 nautical miles of range depending on reserves and configuration. The Boeing BBJ MAX 9 is a long‑range business jet based on the 737 MAX 9, operating in an entirely different category: it can be configured for roughly 25–50+ passengers in VIP cabins and can fly several thousand nautical miles (commonly cited around 6,000+ nm with auxiliary tanks), far exceeding any helicopter. The Leonardo AW189 is a large twin helicopter optimized for offshore and utility transport; it commonly seats about 16–19 passengers and typically offers roughly 450–550 nm class range. The MD Helicopters 902 Explorer is a light twin helicopter used for law enforcement, EMS, and corporate shuttle; it generally carries about 6–8 passengers and has a shorter range, commonly in the ~300–400 nm class. Overall, the BBJ MAX 9 dominates range and cabin volume, while the helicopters trade cruise speed and range for vertical access and point‑to‑point flexibility.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessBoeing BBJ MAX 9AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189
Summary
Cockpit222
Min Crew241
Total Seats181221
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellBoeingLeonardo
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessBBJ MAX 9AW189
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)5806376651
Max Cabin Seats163519
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)667577120
Standard Cabin Seats16819
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HHoneywellEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160470155
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000$107,700,000$2,413,000
DOC / nm$ 15.74$ 15.57
DOC / nm / Seat$ 1.97$ 0.74
Direct Operating Cost$ 7,396$ 2,413
Cabin
Cockpit222
Min Crew241
Total Seats181021
Max Cabin Seats163519
Standard Cabin Seats16819
ConfigurationGreen Interior
Cabin Pressure (psi)9
SL Cabin Altitude (ft)24000
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYesYes
ModelCT7-2F1LEAP-1BCT7-2E1
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)4000On-Condition4000
Horsepower18001983
No. of Engines222
Fuel Capacity (gal)641
Flat RatingISA + 15
Thrust (lbs)28000
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.58138.457.8
Cabin Width (ft)7.5811.6
Cabin Height (ft)4.57.1
Cabin Length (ft)15.5107.2
Overall Height (ft)18.1840.316.6
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.548
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128148585
Wingspan (ft)117.9
Aisle Step (ft)Flat Floor
Cabin Width - Floor (ft)10.7
Cabin Length - Seating (ft)100.6
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)395