Embraer Legacy 650 E vs Gulfstream G700 vs Leonardo Aw189 vs Md Helicopters (mcdonnell Douglas) 902 Explorer
The Embraer Legacy 650E and Gulfstream G700 are long-range business jets, while the Leonardo (Agusta) AW189 and MD Helicopters (McDonnell Douglas) MD 902 Explorer are twin‑engine helicopters oriented to vertical-lift missions such as offshore, utility, EMS, and VIP transport. In range, the G700 leads by a wide margin as an ultra‑long‑range jet (roughly 7,000+ nautical miles), enabling intercontinental nonstop travel; the Legacy 650E is also long‑range but notably shorter (about 3,900 nautical miles). Helicopter range is much lower due to speed and fuel limits: the AW189 is typically on the order of ~450–500 nautical miles (mission dependent), and the MD 902 is shorter, commonly around ~300–400 nautical miles. For passenger capacity, the G700 generally seats up to about 19, the Legacy 650E typically up to about 13, the AW189 commonly carries around 16–19 in high‑density configurations (fewer in VIP), and the MD 902 is smaller, typically around 7–8 passengers (configuration dependent).
| Spec | Gulfstream G700 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW189 |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 3 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 |
| Manufacturer | Gulfstream | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | G700 | AW189 |
| Certification | In Development | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 7500 | 651 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| OEM Verification | Un-Verified | Un-Verified |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 516 | 155 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $78,000,000 | $2,413,000 |
| DOC / nm | — | $ 15.57 |
| Flight Rules | — | IFR |
| DOC / nm / Seat | — | $ 0.74 |
| Direct Operating Cost | — | $ 2,413 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 4 | 1 |
| Crew Rest | Optional | — |
| Jump Seat | Yes | — |
| Total Seats | 16 | 21 |
| Galley Location | FWD | — |
| Max Cabin Seats | 19 | 19 |
| Lavatory Location | FWD / AFT | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 12 | 19 |
| Engine | ||
| Model | Pearl 700 | CT7-2E1 |
| TBO (hrs) | On Condition | 4000 |
| Thrust (lbs) | 18250 | — |
| No. of Engines | 2 | 2 |
| FADEC | — | Yes |
| Fuel Type | — | JetFuel |
| Horsepower | — | 1983 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 109.9 | 57.8 |
| Wingspan (ft) | 103 | — |
| Aisle Step (ft) | Flat Floor | — |
| Cabin Width (ft) | 8.2 | — |
| Cabin Height (ft) | 6.25 | — |
| Cabin Length (ft) | 56.9 | — |
| Overall Height (ft) | 25.4 | 16.6 |
| Baggage Volume Int. (cu. ft) | 195 | — |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | — | 48 |
| Cabin Volume (cu. ft) | — | 395 |
| Baggage Volume Ext. (cu. ft) | — | 85 |