We take a look at some of the top helicopters in the world that are available for charter.
Top private helicopters
Most people know you can charter a private plane or yacht for a business trip or luxury holiday, but how much do you know about helicopter charter? From nimble two-seaters to luxury boardrooms in the sky, we take you through a list of some of the finest and most popular private helicopters available for charter today.
Similar to most passenger aircraft, helicopters range in size, range and functionality. This means that whether you’re flying solo, in a group, taking your team of executives to a meeting at another branch, or whisking family and friends off to a plush holiday destination, there’s a luxury helicopter that’s designed to suit your needs and fly you there in style and comfort. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and luxurious helicopters available for charter today.
Bell 222
The Bell 222 was the first light, twin-turbine-engine helicopter developed in the US, and is a popular choice for corporate travel. It features two main rotor blades made of stainless-steel-fibreglass, and twin Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines. This aircraft can reach cruise speeds of up to 240kph, and cover a range of up to 705km.
One of the best-looking civil helicopters ever designed, with its shark-like silhouette and stunning interior, this luxury helicopter has capacity for two pilots and five to six passengers in a choice of executive layouts. If it looks familiar, that may be because a modified version of the Bell 222 had a starring role in the 1980s US TV series, Airwolf.
Bell 206B Jet Ranger
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single and twin-engine helicopters, with this model boasting capacity for a single pilot and up to four passengers. The aircraft was originally designed for the US Military as the Bell YOH-4, but didn’t end up seeing any action. The airframe was then redesigned and successfully marketed commercially as the Jet Ranger.
This model features a single Rolls-Royce 250-C20J engine, comes standard with luxurious leather interiors, and can cover a distance of up to 693km at an average speed of around 216kph. The Jet Ranger also has movie credentials, having made an appearance in two Bond films, as well as in Terminator 2.
Bell 525
Another one of Bell’s luxury helicopters is the 525, and is also known as the ‘Relentless’. This rotorcraft is part of the super-medium class of luxury helicopters that the company is famous for. A sleek and distinctive exterior makes this an instantly recognizable aircraft, but it’s the interior that will really blow you away, with elegant finishing touches and huge amounts of room.
The Bell 525 comes with a Garmin G5000H avionics touchscreen, fly-by-wire control system, and a range of more than 925km. It can comfortably accommodate up to 20 passengers.
AgustaWestland AW109 Power Grand
The AgustaWestland AW109 Grand is a highly versatile, multi-purpose helicopter that has an extended cabin and main rotor, and can carry two pilots, along with up to seven passengers, over a distance of 948km. It is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207C turboshaft engines and boasts speeds of up to 458kph.
The bright and quiet cabin offers passengers exceptional comfort and luxury, as well as extended baggage compartments – so you’ll be able to bring that extra set of golf clubs. If the elegant interiors of this model aren’t enough, you can always upgrade to the Versace model, the result of a design collaboration between two Italian companies with the aim to create a super-luxury aircraft.
If you thought that precision engineering and fashion don’t go together, you’ve not seen this palace in the sky!
AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is one of the best in the intermediate class of helicopters in terms of capability, performance, cabin space and passenger comfort. Developed in collaboration with Bell as the AgustaBell AB139, Bell eventually sold the design rights to AgustaWestland.
This medium-sized aircraft might not seem so ‘medium’ when compared to others in its class. It’s able to fly much further (up to 1,249km), and its two powerful FADEC-controlled Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C turboshaft engines allow it to reach cruise speeds of 306kph.
The AW139 also has the largest passenger cabin in its class and can carry up to 10 passengers in unrivalled comfort. The extensive baggage compartments are accessible from both outside and inside the aircraft, making it an ideal choice for almost all personal and business needs.
Eurocopter 120 Colibri
Known as the ‘French hummingbird’, the EC120 Colibri is a five-seater, single-engine utility helicopter. The name was earned as a result of how quiet the aircraft is, as well as its size and maneuverability. This bird is powered by a single Turbomeca Arrius 2F turboshaft engine, and reaches cruise speeds of up to 220kph over a distance of up to 710km.
The EC120 (now owned by Airbus Helicopters and dubbed the ‘H120’) is also about as green as you can get: its design aims to reduce pollutant emissions and increase fuel efficiency in accordance with the Green Rotorcraft European Clean Sky Joint Technology Initiative, an environmental research program launched in 2011.
This helicopter also features a wide, ergonomic cabin with ample external visibility, so you can enjoy the view from nearly anywhere inside. It comfortably accommodates up to four passengers plus a single pilot, and can easily be changed to suit different requirements.
Eurocopter AS350 Ecureuil AStar
The AS350 Ecureuil was originally designed in France by Aérospatiale and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters), and is now marketed in North America as the AStar. This aircraft is a single-engine, multipurpose aircraft equipped with a Turbomeca Arriel 1D1 engine. It can reach cruise speeds of up to 257kph and cover a distance of 669km. The engine drives a three-blade main rotor furnished with a Starflex rotor head and is known for delivering an impressive performance at high altitudes.
This single-pilot aircraft is widely popular, not least for its multiple cabin configurations seating between four and six passengers in absolute comfort. Newer versions of the AStar feature a Stylence interior, which is designed to enhance passenger comfort and luxury.
Airbus H215 Super Puma
While it may not be as sleek in the looks department when compared to the other helicopters on this list, the medium-sized Airbus H215 Super Puma – with twin Safran Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines – makes up for it with its performance and standard of interior accommodation.
Formerly known as the Eurocopter AS332, it has a range of 840km, and it’s a great choice if you’re looking for space, comfort, and luxury amenities. The H215 can hold up to 19 passengers comfortably, but that’s not this aircraft’s biggest claim to fame. The cabin itself is fully customizable and can include a full bathroom, lounge, kitchen and in-flight entertainment area – making it perfect for luxurious family and business trips alike.
McDonnell Douglas MD900
The McDonnell Douglas MD900 is a twin-engine light utility helicopter and the first ever to be designed entirely from scratch using CAD (computer-aided design) tools. Originally named MDX, this aircraft is the first from McDonnell Douglas Helicopters to use the NOTAR (no tail rotor) design. Two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW207E turboshaft engines allow for cruise speeds of up to 245kph, and the MD900 can travel up to 304km.
The MD900 can carry four to six passengers, depending on the interior layout you choose, along with a single pilot. This aircraft also features a bearingless five-blade main rotor with composite blades, and the tail and fuselage are built from carbon fiber.
The combination of modern technology, quiet operation, and low maintenance costs make this helicopter a serious competitor in the world of private aircraft.
Robinson R22
The Robinson R22 is a two-seater, single-engine light utility helicopter, and while it has room for only two passengers, this aircraft is packed with everything you need to enjoy a comfortable and luxurious flight. Inside there are leather seats, a cabin heater and defogger, and ample cabin space for you and your pilot.
Outside, the R22 features a horizontally mounted Lycoming O-320 engine, which allows for cruise speeds of up to 175kph and a range of up to 458km.
Though small, the R22 is a proven workhorse that puts out exceptional performance in a variety of applications. It has a two-bladed main rotor and a two-bladed tail rotor system. The normal production variant features skid landing gear, while the mariner version (which is no longer manufactured) provided floats, but no wheeled landing gear is available. This is fine if you want to be able to land and take off from anywhere you like, as the R22 is able to take off and land directly onto a trailer, which could be hooked up to your car or RV.
Sikorsky S-76
The Sikorsky S-76 brings together the ideal combination of modern technology, style and comfort. Equipped with two Pratt & Whitney PW210S turboshaft engines, this aircraft is able to reach cruise speeds up to 288kph, and travel distances of up to 816km. The S-76 features a standard rotor configuration of a four-bladed, fully articulated main rotor and a four-bladed anti-torque tail rotor, as well as retractable wheeled landing gear.
Inside, the aircraft is almost entirely soundproof, meaning headsets are not required during your trip, and the large cabin can accommodate up to six passengers. More space can be achieved depending on the layout you choose. With luxurious leather seats and impeccable design, the S-76 offers a truly luxurious and comfortable flying experience.
Sikorsky S-92
If you are travelling with a party of up to 19 people, you may think a private helicopter is out of bounds. This is where the Sikorsky S-92 comes in. Powered by twin General Electric CT7-8A turboshaft engines, and equipped with a composite four-bladed main rotor with extended blades, this helicopter is able to reach cruise speeds of 278kph and cover distances of up to 998km. It also features an active vibration-control system, which works to increase comfort and decrease noise in the cabin.
The S-92 is available in a variety of versions and layouts designed to suit your specific needs. For those with a desire to fly in a literal airborne palace, the interior options for the S-92 are nearly limitless, and offer the absolute pinnacle of luxury and style. Some custom interior designs include options such as granite flooring, custom woodwork and crocodile leather, with details such as satin gold finish on the seat-belt buckles. There are also layout options with fewer seats that allow for facilities such as a galley or a bar to be installed.
Book a helicopter or private plane rental with ACS today
Private helicopter charter is generally more affordable than chartering a private jet, so it could be the solution to a wide range of aviation needs. At Air Charter Service (ACS), we can help plan your trip, whether you need to attend several meetings in different cities in a single day, or want to take a helicopter tour to enjoy a bird’s-eye view of your destination. Our local team is happy to provide you with recommendations, and book the ideal luxury private helicopter for you (or private plane, if that’s a better option for you). Please contact us for more information or to book your private charter flight today.