Bell 525 Relentless vs Cessna Citation Xls vs Leonardo Aw189
The Bell 525 Relentless and Leonardo AW189 are super‑medium twin‑engine helicopters, while the Cessna Citation XLS+ is a midsize business jet. In category terms, the XLS+ is designed for fast point‑to‑point travel between airports, whereas the 525 and AW189 emphasize vertical access, offshore/utility capability, and short‑range regional flexibility without runways. On range, the Citation XLS+ typically offers the longest practical trip length, commonly around 2,000 nautical miles class depending on payload and conditions, making it well suited to multi‑state or cross‑country missions. The Bell 525 is generally in the ~500–600 nautical mile class, and the AW189 is broadly similar, often cited around ~450–500+ nautical miles, with exact figures varying by fit, reserves, and mission profile. For passenger capacity, the Citation XLS+ usually seats about 8–9 passengers in a standard executive layout (more with belted lav/optional seating). The Bell 525 and AW189 can be configured from executive layouts to higher‑density transport, commonly carrying around 12–16 passengers, with the AW189 often marketed toward 16‑seat configurations.
| Spec | Bell 525 Relentless | Cessna Citation XLS+ | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Flight Rules | IFR | — | IFR |
| Manufacturer | Bell | Cessna Citation | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | 525 Relentless | XLS+ | AW189 |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 580 | 1906 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 6675 | 7540 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G5000H | Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 160 | 430 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $15,000,000 | $15,500,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 5.34 | $ 15.57 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.67 | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,303 | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | |||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 18 | 10 | 21 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 16 | 9 | 19 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 16 | 8 | 19 |
| Lavatory | — | 1 Enclosed Belted Flushing | — |
| Crew Rest | — | No | — |
| Jump Seat | — | No | — |
| Galley Location | — | FWD | — |
| Lavatory Location | — | AFT | — |
| Cabin Pressure (psi) | — | 9.3 | — |
| Galley / Refreshment | — | Galley | — |
| SL Cabin Altitude (ft) | — | 25230 | — |
| Engine | |||
| FADEC | Dual-Channel | Yes | Yes |
| Model | CT7-2F1 | PW545C | CT7-2E1 |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | — | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 4000 | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 1800 | — | 1983 |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 641 | — | — |
| Flat Rating | — | ISA + 10 | — |
| Thrust (lbs) | — | 4119 | — |
| Dimensions | |||
| Width (ft) | 25.77 | — | — |
| Length (ft) | 61.58 | 52.5 | 57.8 |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 7.58 | 5.5 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 4.5 | 5.7 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 15.5 | 18.5 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 18.18 | 17.2 | 16.6 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 54.5 | — | 48 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | 128 | 80 | 85 |
| Wingspan (ft) | — | 56.3 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | — | 0.7 | — |
| Cabin Width - Floor (ft) | — | 3.9 | — |
| Cabin Length - Seating (ft) | — | 14.3 | — |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | — | 10 | — |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | — | 395 |