Leonardo Aw109 Grand New vs Leonardo Aw139 vs Leonardo Aw189

The Leonardo AW109 Grand New is a light twin helicopter aimed at short-to-medium missions such as VIP transport, EMS, and utility work. It typically carries about 6–7 passengers (depending on layout) and offers a practical range on the order of roughly 500–600 nautical miles with standard reserves, emphasizing speed and agility over cabin volume. The Leonardo AW139 sits in the medium twin category and is designed for broader roles including offshore transport, SAR, HEMS, and government operations. It provides a significantly larger cabin than the AW109, commonly accommodating around 12–15 passengers, and delivers a medium-to-long range typically around 600–700 nautical miles, balancing payload, cabin space, and mission flexibility. The Leonardo AW189 is a super-medium twin optimized for offshore and long-range missions with higher payload and endurance. It generally carries around 16–19 passengers in typical transport configurations and offers long-range capability in the same general class or slightly beyond the AW139 depending on tanks and reserves, with a focus on comfort, payload, and rough-weather operational margins.