When you think about flying private, you probably think of luxury private jets with on-board gyms and spacious bedrooms. That’s one way to fly in luxury, but have you ever considered chartering a luxury private helicopter? 
The top private helicopters
Most people know about chartering private planes or yachts for business trips or luxury holidays, but how much do you know about private 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 helicopters available for charter today.
Similar to most passenger aircraft, helicopters vary in size, range and functionality. This means that whether you’re flying solo, 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 perfectly, and deliver you to your destination in style and comfort. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular and luxurious helicopters that are available for charter today.
Bell 222
The Bell 222 was the first light, twin-turbine-engine helicopter developed in the US, and is a highly popular choice for corporate travel. The design features two main rotor blades of stainless-steel-fibreglass, and twin Lycoming/Honeywell LTS101-650 turboshaft engines. These engines allow this aircraft to reach cruise speeds of up to 240kph, and cover distances 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 222 had a starring role in the TV series, Airwolf.
Bell 206B Jet Ranger
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single and twin-engine helicopters, with the 206B Jet Ranger boasting capacity for a single pilot and up to four passengers. This 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.
AgustaWestland AW109 Power Grand
The AgustaWestland AW109 Power Grand is a highly versatile, multi-purpose aircraft that has an extended cabin and main rotor. It 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 459kph.
The bright and quiet cabin offers passengers exceptional comfort and luxury, as well as extended baggage compartments – so that you can 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 of creating a super-luxury aircraft.
This veritable palace in the sky represents the perfect combination of precision engineering and fashion.
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. Originally developed in collaboration with Bell as the AgustaBell AB139, Bell eventually sold the rights to the design to AgustaWestland.
This medium-sized aircraft might not seem so ‘medium’ when compared to others in its class as 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: it 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.
AgustaWestland AW609
The AgustaWestland AW609 is likely one of the most interesting-looking and attractive of this manufacturer’s helicopters. It boasts the ability to take off and land completely vertically. This might not sound so impressive for a helicopter, but this aircraft has an ‘aeroplane mode’ where the engines and propellers are rotated forward, allowing for higher speeds and range capabilities. The AW609 can fly nearly twice as fast, and twice as far, as any other helicopter in its class – which makes this aircraft a brilliant choice for your next private helicopter rental.
Powered by twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6C-67A turboshaft engines, the AW609 can reach cruise speeds of up to 509kph, and can cover a distance of about 1,384km. This aircraft truly is in a league of its own in terms of performance, as well as aesthetics. As for the interior, the plush cabin and amenities provide passengers with a VIP level of comfort, with options for alternative interior layouts, depending on what kind of budget you’re sporting.
Airbus Helicopters EC120 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 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 programme which was launched in 2011.
The EC120 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. The cabin can also be easily changed to suit different requirements.
Airbus Helicopters H125 ‘AStar’
The AS350 Ecureuil, now the H125, 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 specifically to enhance passenger comfort and luxury.
Airbus H225 Super Puma
There is no operation that the H225 Super Puma cannot fulfil – it is the crème de la crème of private helicopters. Although it is a little slower than other choppers in its class, the H225 has enough features and versatility to more than make up for the lack of speed. Well, we say ‘lack of speed’, but it’s hard to sneer at an 10-ton multipurpose helicopter that can move at maximum speeds of just over 322kph being pulled by two Safran Makila 2A1 turbine engines, and travel a distance of almost 840km with standard tanks.
The cabin can be outfitted in a number of configurations, depending on the operation intended. The Super Puma can seat two pilots and eight to 12 passengers in style and comfort in the standard executive layout, and maxes out at 25 passengers in a dedicated transport layout.
McDonnell Douglas MD 900
The McDonnell Douglas MD 900 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 MD 900 can travel up to 304km.
The MD 900 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 fibre.
The combination of modern technology, its quiet operation, and low maintenance costs make this 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 459km.
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) provides 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 can take off and land directly onto a trailer, which can 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 can 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 hoping to fly with a party of up to 19 people, you may think a private helicopter is out of the question. This is where the Sikorsky S-92 comes in. Powered by twin GE CT7-8A turboshaft engines, and equipped with a composite four-bladed main rotor with extended blades, this helicopter can reach cruise speeds of 278kph and cover distances of up to 998km. This aircraft 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 including 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.
Charter a flight with ACS today
Because private helicopter charter is generally more affordable than the equivalent private plane cost, it could be the solution to a wide range of aviation needs. 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, Air Charter Service (ACS) can help you plan your trip, provide you with recommendations, and book the ideal luxury private helicopter for you. Contact our office to book your flight today – or if you’re more interested in private plane rental, we’d be happy to talk you through private jet costs and choice of aircraft we can offer you.