AIR.ONE

Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw139

Both the Bell 525 Relentless and the Leonardo AW139 are twin‑engine, IFR-capable helicopters commonly positioned in the super‑medium/medium‑twin space, but they emphasize slightly different roles. The Bell 525 is generally marketed as a super‑medium with a strong offshore and executive tilt, aiming for longer legs and higher cruise performance for its class. The AW139 is a widely fielded medium twin used across offshore energy, EMS, SAR, law enforcement, and VIP transport, with a mature global support footprint. On range, the Bell 525 is typically presented with a longer advertised range capability than the AW139 in comparable configurations, making it attractive for missions that prioritize fewer fuel stops or longer overwater segments, though real‑world range depends heavily on payload, reserves, and cabin fit. On passenger capacity, both can be configured for VIP or utility seating; the AW139 is commonly arranged around 12 to 15 passengers, while the 525 is often cited in a similar low‑teens cabin count, with layouts varying by operator needs and regulatory limits.

SpecBell 525 RelentlessAGUSTA / LEONARDO AW139
Summary
Cockpit22
Min Crew22
Total Seats1817
Flight RulesIFRIFR
ManufacturerBellLeonardo
Aircraft Name525 RelentlessAW139
CertificationFAA / EASAFAA / EASA
Max Range (nm)580573
Max Cabin Seats1615
OEM VerificationVERIFIEDUn-Verified
Useful Load (lbs)66754701
Standard Cabin Seats1615
Flight Deck (Base Spec)Garmin G5000HEFIS
Max Cruise Speed (ktas)160165
Base Aircraft Price (USD)$15,000,000 $15,900,000
DOC / nm$ 11.69
DOC / nm / Seat$ 0.69
Direct Operating Cost$ 1,929
Cabin
Cockpit22
Min Crew22
Total Seats1817
Max Cabin Seats1615
Standard Cabin Seats1615
Engine
FADECDual-ChannelYes
ModelCT7-2F1PT6C-67C
Fuel TypeJetFuelJetFuel
TBO (hrs)40005000
Horsepower18001679
No. of Engines22
Fuel Capacity (gal)641414
Dimensions
Width (ft)25.77
Length (ft)61.5854.7
Cabin Width (ft)7.58
Cabin Height (ft)4.5
Cabin Length (ft)15.5
Overall Height (ft)18.1816.4
Rotor Diameter (ft)54.554.7
Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft)128120
Cabin Volume (cu. ft)282