Have you ever been fascinated by helicopters? Those whirring contraptions break the sound barrier as they take off and land in places no other aircraft can.
With an interior fit for royalty, these choppers are among the world’s most luxurious and expensive helicopters in the world.
Helicopters have become a symbol of luxury and freedom, much more than a trusted form of transportation.
For many, it is a status symbol to display status and wealth.
Most expensive helicopters in the world offer convenience, speed, and control that no other form of transport can match while consuming significantly less fuel than airplanes.
Here on our blog are some of the most expensive helicopters in the world today.
These luxurious choppers have premium features intended to pamper passengers even up in the sky.
1. Airbus H225
- Price: $28m
The Airbus H225 is first on our list of the most expensive helicopters in the world.
It is a medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter used for over 30 years by the military and corporate industries.
It is the most modern helicopter in its class and features advanced avionics and sensor capabilities, including night vision compatibility and a single- or dual-pilot setup.
Powered by two Turbomeca Makila engines, the H225 can reach up to 155 km (284 km/ h) with a maximum range of 650 nm (1,202 km).
The helicopter’s cargo hold can accommodate up to 15 passengers and equipment or fuel reserves, depending on its application.
As such, it is suitable for missions like search and rescue operations, oil & gas transfers, EMS rescue flights, VIP transport services, and offshore operations, among others.
The Airbus H225 is one of the most expensive helicopters in the world; it was first introduced in the late 1980s as an upgrade to its immediate predecessor, the AS332 Super Puma.
With over 700 aircraft produced in total since then for civil operators around the world, including UAE’s Abu Dhabi Aviation, Malaysia’s Aviator Systematics Sdn Bhd, Singapore-based AW Singapore Pte Ltd, and Japan’s Robot Helicopters GK.
These most expensive helicopters worldwide have been known for their incredible performance across all conditions due to being designed with a robust airframe structure composed of materials such as Kevlar 49 composite skins coined Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).
The H225 has proven itself again numerous times. Still, one particularly famous incident occurred during France’s ‘Operation Serval’ when two pilots were credited with saving over 400 people located in Timbuktu using their helicopter despite severe weather conditions.
In recent news, however, the European Aviation Safety Agency announced that they would be banning all flights involving the Airbus H225 following previous reports detailing safety hazards, which led to multiple tragic incidents where critical parts failed, leading to disastrous crashes.
2. AW101
Price: $28m
The AW101, or ‘Leonardo,’ is also on our list of the most expensive helicopters in the world.
It is a military/civilian use helicopter manufactured by the Italian company Leonardo S.p.A (formerly AgustaWestland).
This type of aircraft enjoys large popularity due to its size and power. It is well-suited for myriad uses such as search and rescue, transportation of personnel and goods, combat missions, medical evacuation operations, civilian flights, etc.
The AW101 has a twin-engine capacity to provide additional safety margins in case of single-engine failure, allowing it to fly with only one engine if necessary.
It is also equipped with Marinelli B5 engines, which provide the AW101 with amazing flight performance while remaining incredibly fuel efficient, capable of flying up to three times further than other helicopters.
Due to its versatility and powerful engines, the AW101 can be altered according to various needs simply by adding or removing parts as needed.
This also greatly reduces service costs in using AW101, the most expensive helicopter in the world, since replacing spare parts is much easier.
The Leonardo AW 101 features specifically designed for landing on ships – including folding rotor blades that allow it to fit on smaller vessels like the Corvettes class warship, designed by Leonardo itself, giving it substantial military application regarding naval vessel surveillance capabilities.
Its advanced avionics system provides situational awareness through navigation and communication systems that support routine interactions between people via voice messages and text messaging from other airborne platforms and air traffic control operations around them.
3. Sikorsky S-92
Price: $27m
The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter is a medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter renowned for its reliability and durability in the most demanding conditions.
These S-92 most expensive helicopters in the world were first developed in the 1990s as an improved variant of the original Black Hawk helicopter.
They were certified in 2002 by the FAA for commercial and military use.
Its design incorporates numerous features that enhance safety, such as corrosion-resistant composite materials and redundant flight systems that reduce the chance of any single system failure causing an accident.
Compared to the other most expensive helicopters in the world, the S-92 offers superior performance with higher speed capabilities, increased carrying capacity, and longer range.
It also provides excellent stability in turbulent air conditions and improved sound dampening during takeoffs and landings, making it an ideal choice for corporate travel or emergency services like medical evacuations.
The S-92 is equipped with modern avionics designed to reduce pilot workload, such as the auto hover feature for vertical takeoffs/landings (VTOL) capability, making it amazingly easy to fly safely even in challenging environments.
Furthermore, this aircraft can be optionally fitted with additional fuel tanks, which enhance its maximum operating range to 800 miles (1287 km).
All combined features make the Sikorsky S-92 one of the best multirole, most expensive helicopters in the world available today in terms of versatility and cost efficiency.
4. Airbus H175
Price: $17m
The Airbus H175 helicopter is a modern, twin-engine workhorse for heavy-lift operations and commercial transportation.
The H175’s most expensive helicopters in the world feature a cabin space of 15.6 m3 (551 ft³), providing ample room for up to 15 passengers or an additional 3 tons of internal payload.
The two Turbomeca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines generate a maximum output of 1,245 kW (1,670 ), enabling the helicopter to reach 135 knots (250 km/h).
The exterior design of the Airbus H175 is both functional and aerodynamic, with high blades optimized for superior lift performance.
It has many transmission options, including a quiet Mode 4 system and improved navigation systems such as inertial reference systems, advanced mission computers, and digital flight control systems.
It also includes an electro-optical/infrared system that enhances situational awareness in low visibility conditions.
The H175 is capable of local and long-distance missions due to its exceptional endurance, reaching maximum range distances over 750 nautical miles (1,389 km).
Moreover, it can carry impressive feats at up to 12,000 feet (3,657 m), regardless of whether light or heavy payloads are attached during operation.
5. Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma
- Price: $15m
The Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma is a medium-sized, twin-engine helicopter.
Developed by Eurocopter, the AS332 is a high-performance multi-role aircraft that is used in various roles, including passenger transport, search and rescue operations, and cargo transport.
With the ability to carry up to 20 or 24 people, the AS332 is well-suited for carrying large payloads over long distances.
The aircraft is also utilized for offshore operations due to its superior landing capabilities and range.
These most expensive helicopters in the world feature twin Turbomeca Makila engines, providing powerful lifting capability, fuel efficiency, and exceptional reliability.
Overall, this offers operators excellent performance in all types of weather conditions.
The cabin of the AS332 was designed with an ergonomic layout, offering passengers comfortable seating and amplified crash survivability since vehicles inside the frameworks make up the cabin walls that are pressurized during flight, which allows for additional protection from water, fire, and impact-related emergencies.
In addition to this impressive safety feature, the cockpit was equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems, including innovative avionics from Garmin, such as SkyWatch traffic avoidance systems enabling pilots to detect potential hazards far away, allowing them to take action ahead of time, granting an effective bonus when flying over mountainous terrain or in crowded airspace.
Outfitted with advanced aeronautical features like expensive deicing technology, semi-rigid rotor blades, and redundant hydraulics system, among many other features, these most expensive helicopters in the world are ideal for use in extremely challenging missions!
6. Airbus H155
- Price: $14m
Airbus H155 is a twin-engine, ten-seat utility helicopter manufactured by Airbus Helicopters in France.
It was initially introduced as the Eurocopter Dauphin in 1975 and was developed for light transport missions and emergency medical services (EMS).
It is one of the most successful and most expensive helicopters in the world in its class, having been used by over 820 customers from over 70 countries worldwide.
The H155 has a maximum speed of 161 knots (184 mph) and a range of 311 miles on standard fuel tanks.
It has two Turbomeca Arrius 2B2 turboshaft engines, which provide an impressive 602 kW combined output.
The cabin can be configured for up to 10 passengers and features large sliding doors for easy loading and unloading and baggage compartments capable of carrying up to 33 cubic feet of cargo.
It also comes with adjustable pedals, tiltable seats, and dimmable windows to optimize comfort during long flights.
The H155’s most expensive helicopters in the world also feature a large floor area that allows room for patient transport stretchers or additional cargo when needed.
Furthermore, back windscreen wipers are installed to help improve safety during low visibility operations.
To top it off, the aircraft comes with optional infrared cameras that offer superior vision in all weather conditions at night while allowing safer approach landings under all conditions.
7. Leonardo AW139 (AgustaWestland AW139)
- Price: $9m
The Leonardo AW139 (AgustaWestland AW139) is a twin-engine, medium-size helicopter marketed as an ideal transport solution for passenger and cargo transport needs.
The aircraft has excellent performance in high and hot operation scenarios, making it well-suited to operations in oil platforms and regions with especially difficult terrain or elevation.
Due to its modern avionics suite, the aircraft’s aerodynamic design also provides exceptional autorotation characteristics, allowing these most expensive helicopters in the world to land safely without power in case of an emergency.
The AW139 is designed for comfort and can easily accommodate a pilot plus 16 passengers or up to 2450 kilograms of cargo with custom seat configurations.
The spacious cabin also offers passengers various entertainment features, such as Wi-Fi connections and extra storage space.
It also has a digital flight control system (DFCS), ensuring that pilots can always make safe and intuitive decisions during critical situations.
It is a must for challenging deployments at night or in low visibility conditions.
This makes it one of the most reliable helicopters available today, offering superior flexibility and reliability compared to competing models.
8. Airbus EC145
- Price: $8m
The Airbus EC145 helicopter is a twin-engine light utility helicopter produced by Airbus; it’s one of the most expensive helicopters in the world.
Designed for passenger and general aviation use, the EC145 has been certified for single-pilot operations in normal and instrument flight conditions.
Two Turbomeca Arriel 2 engines power it and feature state-of-the-art avionics, including 4-axis autopilot control, advanced navigation systems, and high safety standards.
The EC145 includes two large cabin doors that can be installed for up to five forward-facing seats and two rear-facing side windows, along with optional provisions to mount two zonal medical stretchers.
The EC145’s most expensive helicopters also boast impressive flight performance capabilities, making it an ideal aircraft for many missions.
Its maximum speed is 153 knots, and its operational altitude allowed is 18,500 feet.
Additionally, its hover ceiling performance allows it to operate above a 10,000-foot density altitude with 1200 pound useful load making it suitable for high and hot operations within mountainous terrain or extreme weather conditions if required.
The robust airframe design ensures the aircraft can perform precise and precise landings through hovering trips in challenging terrains like snow-covered glacier landings or helipads on rugged cliffsides.
Furthermore, due to its smooth operation from takeoff to landing and its enhanced Piloted Autorotation System (PAS), this state-of-the-art aircraft ensures safe transfers by providing passengers with greater comfort and stability in every mission profile.
9. Sikorsky S-76C++
- Price: $8m
The Sikorsky S-76C++ is a light utility helicopter that has been in production since its introduction in 1986.
Igor Sikorsky designed the most expensive helicopter in the world and is an updated version of the S-76A.
The aircraft can accommodate up to 11 passengers, serving multiple purposes ranging from VIP transportation to private medical services, law enforcement, offshore oil operations, and other specialty services.
It is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210 engines, which provide efficient performance.
The aircraft also features a five-bladed main rotor and improved aerodynamics due to its stretched airframe design.
The S-76C++ is well known for its versatility and reliability as it offers superior performance compared to its predecessors.
This makes it an ideal choice for operators looking for a multi-mission capable aircraft that remains affordable and easy to maintain over time.
It also boasts good maneuverability characteristics, including flight stability, fast climb rate, and superior handling, even during adverse weather conditions or high altitudes.
With top speeds of up to 159 mph (145 knots), this model is highly adaptable for short and long-range missions thanks to its powerful engines integrating FADEC technology for better control during flight operations.
This aircraft is a great option amongst executive helicopters as it offers superior comfort inside the cabin and impressive range capabilities, making it suitable for short-haul and longer cross-continental flights.
10. Agusta A109 Grand New
- Price: $6m
Lastly, The Agusta 2015 A109 Grand New is a stylish, luxurious multi-mission helicopter that combines performance, safety, comfort, and efficiency.
Its Pratt & Whitney 303C engines provide ample power for its class and outstanding fuel economy.
It boasts a spacious two-person cabin with ample room for supplies and equipment and an anti-collision system for enhanced flight safety.
The fully digital cockpit includes two HD multifunctional displays to streamline pilot workflow and help minimize fatigue during long flight hours.
Advanced avionics such as Synthetic Vision System (SVS) bring brilliant landscape colors into the cockpit by projecting an animated 3D scene of the outside environment to enhance terrain awareness.
Additionally, it has integrated health monitoring systems that can monitor aircraft components in real-time to detect potential issues before they become critical while reducing maintenance downtime.
The Agusta 2015 A109 Grand, one of the most expensive helicopters in the world, also features advanced aerodynamics, incorporating rotor blade tips to reduce drag in forward flight and improve hovering capabilities.
It has powerful engine performance and reduced vibration levels thanks to its triple dampening system, making transportation over longer distances more comfortable.
It can be equipped with rugged weather systems like “High Visibility Modes” or auto-feathering blades for increased security in challenging conditions such as thunderstorms or volcanoes, providing added safety when flying in extreme conditions.
As one of the most elegant helicopters around today, the Agusta 2015 A109 Grand New.
One of the most expensive helicopters in the world will be sure to turn heads on any aerial mission you choose to embark on!
