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10 Luxurious Helicopters You Didn't Know Existed

Image Source: Aircraft.com

Luxury helicopters provide a lush form of transportation. While many people know of the private and charter jets out there, helicopters can be more affordable, more eco-friendly, and still be a status symbol for the rich and famous. A number of celebrities own helicopters, including Brad Pitt, Donald Trump, and others.

As a result of demand from the wealthy, the number of helicopters is growing – and identifying the best luxury helicopter is harder since there are so many incredible options.

We’ve come up with ten luxury helicopters that you probably didn’t even know existed.

Our Methodology

The best luxury helicopter is one that is not only expensive but also packed with incredible features. Some helicopters are quite spacious, so they’re not the traditional ones that you may have ridden on as part of a news crew or for a tourist’s view of a certain attraction.

In order to come up with our list, we explored a few factors to include:

  • Price
  • Specifications of the helicopter
  • Amenities
  • Who has owned such a helicopter

We’ve used luxury lifestyle blogs to help us determine more about the helicopters as well as lists such as ones from Luxify.com to determine which helicopters have the reputation for being the most luxurious in the world. We also use some of the helicopter manufacturer websites to determine specs such as speed and range.

10. Eurocopter EC145 – $4.9 million

Eurocopter’s EC145 features a number of seating configurations and is designed to maximize comfort. It has a spacious, quiet cabin that has thick insulation and flooring that dampens vibrations. In addition to a host of safety and aviation features, the EC145 luxury helicopter is packed with amenities that will make any flight more pleasant.

Air conditioning, an interactive map, 30 30-hour music player with slots for six SD cards, a BluRay player, an XM satellite radio, and a 10.2-inch LCD viewing screen are just some of this ride’s entertainment features. The Eurocopter EC145 seats up to 9 passengers, and its outside visibility is among the best.

If you want to see inside this beauty, there’s a Cloud9 video that offers you a full tour to show off the Mercedes-Benz style of this luxury helicopter. You’ll definitely realize that this is the kind of chopper that is used by the rich and famous. Oh, what a life to live as a billionaire.

9. Eurocopter EC135 – $6.77 million

The Eurocopter EC135 stands out for a number of reasons, and it’s one of the few on the list that was built in Germany. While there are a few different models for this, it has been used in police missions and flying rescue as well as providing VIP transportation. It has also been used in quite a few movies, such as to capture an incredible car chase.

Take world-class engineering and combine it with the style of an iconic fashion house, and you’ll get the Eurocopter EC135. The designer version of this luxury helicopter was the result of a collaboration between Eurocopter’s engineers and Hermès, and it is decadent.

Flying Mag talks about how the fashion house offered an incredible makeover to the best-selling chopper. Hermès signature fabrics, calf leather banquettes and seating, and butter-soft leather make this rotorcraft the epitome of style. The footprint of the cabin is maximized with hidden compartments, sliding doors, and recessed consoles. A glass partition creates privacy by separating the helicopter’s cockpit from the cabin. Of course, the Hermes makeover also adds about $1 million to the otherwise reasonable price tag of the EC135.

Here’s a fun addition: If you want a matching look so that your luxury helicopter matches your luxury Bugatti Veyron, the Hermes fashion house will be glad to comply. The cost will only be an added $2.4 million.

Even the exterior has nice aesthetics, and this exclusive version of the EC135 is quiet all around. The maneuverability and stability of this chopper are unmatched, and in terms of style, it doesn’t get much better.

There are two different engines that are available within the helicopter, too – both offering almost 650 hp. It’s what allows a top speed of 161 mph as well as a range of around 385 miles.

8. Airbus H155 – $10 million

$10 million isn’t what most people would consider a budget ride, but the Airbus H155 falls into that category. Though it has a relatively low price, this luxury helicopter still has world-class features, styling, and safety. It’s available in different seating arrangements and can hold between 8 and 12 passengers along with two pilots.

There’s a wealth of in-light entertainment onboard in addition to air conditioning, leather seats, and a cabin that’s the ultimate in comfort. The Airbus H155 can reach a cruise speed of 324km/h, and has a range of 857 km.

What used to be known as the EC155 B1 (a Eurocopter), the H155 Airbus serves as an air ambulance, passenger transport, and a VIP transport option. It’s only been on the market since 2003, and yet, it’s being classified as luxurious, even by jet standards. Business Jet online even manages to discuss the many specs of the Airbus chopper for those interested in a premium air travel option.

7. Sikorsky S-76C++ – $12.95 million

This luxury helicopter isn’t just a stylish helicopter produced by Lockheed Martin, but it also has exquisite performance. The interior has a wide selection of customization options, from fabrics to woodwork and exclusive trims.

Top-of-the-line audio systems, custom bar and snack cabinets, satellite phones, and separate work areas are all part of what makes this ride so luxurious. Sikorsky’s S-76C++ features two turboshaft engines and a superlight construction.

The executive seating arrangement of this helicopter seats up to eight people, and Sikorsky’s signature Quiet Zone technology allows passengers to ride in comfort. The S-76C++ is the choice of many of the world’s dignitaries, including the British Royal Family. After all, with a range of 472 miles and a cruise speed of 178 miles per hour, it’s hard not to be impressed by these specs.

6. AgustaWestland AW609 – $14 million

The AW609 is also known as the Tilt Rotor, which is one of the reasons why this helicopter has made it onto the list. It’s so much more than one of the best luxury helicopters on the market. One of the most notable and attractive features of the AgustaWestland AW609 is its ability to both take off and land vertically, enabling this ride to reach a wide assortment of locations.

With its advanced technology, it’s easy to fly above bad weather thanks to a pressurized cabin.

This luxury helicopter also flies two times farther and faster than other choppers in its class, reaching cruise speeds of 316 mph and attaining a range of 860 miles. The AW609’s plush cabin provides VIP level comfort and amenities, and depending upon the customization options chosen, it seats 6 or 9 passengers. VIPs can enjoy a bathroom, a refreshment center, and so much more.

If the helicopter looks familiar, it’s because quite a few celebrities have been known to fly on the AW609, including Mike Bloomberg, the former mayor of New York City.

Here’s another cool fact about the Agusta Westland AW609: Her Highness Sheikha Mozah bint Marwan bin Mohammed bin Hasher Al Maktoum, a member of the Emirati Society, was the first female to fly the chopper.

5. Bell 525 – $15 million

Bell has become synonymous with luxury over the years – and Harrison Ford is well known for having owned several Bell helicopters over the years. While he hasn’t needed such a large passenger luxury helicopter as the Bell 525, you can bet that he’s at least flown on one if he hasn’t had the pleasure of piloting one himself.

Bell’s 525, otherwise known as the Relentless, is part of the company’s super-medium class of luxury helicopters. Its exterior is sleek and distinctive, and the interior has a generous amount of space and tons of exciting amenities. The Bell 525 has a Garmin G5000H avionic touchscreen, uses a fly-by-wire control system, and has a range of 926 km. With a range of 580 nm and a speed of 160 knots, this helicopter was built for performance.

This ride seats up to 20 passengers and was engineered for optimal safety. Inside, the cabin is like a high-end boardroom complete with plush seating and a modern look. There are quite a few flexible cabin layouts allowing you to get the look and feel that works best for you and your purposes.

For those who want not only a luxury helicopter but also an eco-friendly one, the Bell 525 impressions with its chemical reduction, green compliance, and its green procedures with cooling and heating systems that run independently from the main engines. Even more, it uses recycled consumables, including the gearbox oils and turbine.

4. Airbus H215 Super Puma – $15.5 million

Formerly known as the AS332, the Airbus H215 Super Puma is a brilliant mix of performance and style, which is why it’s an important part of the Super Puma/Cougar family. It reaches top speeds of 252 km/hour and has a range of 841 km, and this is the luxury helicopter to pick if you need a lot of space and amenities.

Not only can the H215 Super Puma hold up to 19 passengers, but the cabin can also be customized to include a lounge, full bathroom, kitchen, and tons of in-flight entertainment. It’s like having a full office in a chopper. The Airbus website calls the twin-engine helicopter “proven and versatile,” and as you explore the many amenities, it will be hard to disagree.

It’s not just the seating of 19 passengers that’s impressive. It can also accommodate two crew members as well as a flight attendant, allowing you to get that truly VIP experience. There’s both a short and a long configuration, which will determine just how many passengers/flight crew will be able to fit comfortably.

As the air.one showroom explains, too, “The H215 Super Puma continues to grow market share with 1,000+ deliveries, thanks in part to its outstanding power to weight ratio.”

3. Sikorsky S-92 Executive – $17.7 million

Those who want a roomier executive luxury helicopter often turn to the Sikorsky S-92, which was built by Lockheed Martin. It has seating for up to 19 passengers, a well-planned lavatory, galley and closet spaces, and a cabin that’s relatively quiet. It’s the largest private helicopter, which is why it’s such a popular option when you look at the charter market.

Custom options include beefed-up exterior armor, satellite phones, and advanced monitoring systems. The presidents and heads of state of more than ten countries around the world have chosen the Sikorsky S-92 for an official mode of transportation because of its great safety features and spaciousness. Who could resist reclining leather seats and a fully stocked bar? Of course, there’s also a premium audio system as well as high-speed internet, making this helicopter feel more like a jet, which is the whole idea.

There are also other reasons to fall in love with the S-92. Chopper Spotter has referred to it as a “true billionaire’s dream,” which is fitting since it offers a range of 630 miles and a top speed of about 190 mph. It allows you to get to where you’re going in a stylish way.

2. AgustaWestland AW101 – $21 million

The AW101 is AgustaWestland’s premiere executive luxury helicopter, and its cabin is the largest in its class. This chopper seats up to 24 passengers and is both wide and tall enough for passengers to walk upright with no problem. It was created by Leonardo and can be created on a number of platforms, including those for the charter industry as well as for the military. As the product brochure explains, it is a multi-role helicopter and has been designed for even the harshest environments.

This particular helicopter has been tested and proven to be safe and resilient in all types of environments, including the Antarctic and Arctic circles. The exacting technological and safety standards of the AW101 make it a popular choice in the military and government realms, but it’s also available for personal use.

The technology is impressive, with a side-facing engine intake as well as three civil-certified engines. While some may not say that this isn’t a luxury helicopter, it all depends on the additional equipment that is incorporated. Thanks to the vibration control and the many tech specs, it is one of the smoother rides you’ll have – and for many, that is all the luxury that you need when you’re taking flight.

1. Airbus H225 Super Puma – $27 million

It’s not surprising that Airbus has decided to start manufacturing helicopters. They are known the world over for the planes that they offer of all sizes, being used by major airlines. The Airbus H225 Super Puma is the creme de la creme of helicopters. It’s suitable for just about any purpose you can imagine. It’s a bit slower than other rides in its class. However, the H225 has enough features to make up for it, including its ability to carry up to 24 passengers, two pilots, and a cabin attendant.

This heavy lifter is frequently used by offshore drilling companies, search and rescue crews, and wealthy executives. The cabin is super comfortable, and the customization options are seemingly endless.

The H225 offers a top speed of 171 mph and has a range of 521 miles before there’s the need to stop for a gas fill-up. According to the product brochure, the helicopter is also known as a “true all-weather helicopter,” which allows it to be used in even the most severe, icy conditions.

The helicopter has held the “most expensive” helicopter title for a while, too. With it being used for offshore support as well as VIP passenger transport, it’s all a matter of how you want the chopper to be used. When you consider that celebrities such as Elon Musk, Taylor Swift, and Kim Kardashian own the H225, you know that it can be decked out to be the best luxury helicopter that money can buy.

Garrett Parker

Written by Garrett Parker

Garrett by trade is a personal finance freelance writer and journalist. With over 10 years experience he's covered businesses, CEOs, and investments. However he does like to take on other topics involving some of his personal interests like automobiles, future technologies, and anything else that could change the world.

Read more posts by Garrett Parker

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