12 seater helicopter
Every helicopter on the US charter list that carries 11 or 12 passengers, what it costs per hour to charter, and what it costs to buy.
- Models
- 4
- Aircraft on charter
- 122
- Operators
- 31
- Per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
What counts as a 12 seater helicopter
The Sikorsky S-76, Leonardo AW139, Bell 412 and Airbus AS365 Dauphin are the 12-seat helicopters you will most often be offered in the US. A helicopter like these costs about $1,500 to $4,500 per flight hour to charter, and from about $7 million to buy.
Operators count passenger seats, with the pilot extra. In everyday use a "12 seater" often includes the pilot, so this page lists helicopters that carry 11 or 12 passengers.
4 models on the US Part 135 charter list seat 11 or 12 passengers; together they make up 122 aircraft.
Seats are not the only limit. On hot days and at high elevations operators may fly fewer people than the seats fitted, because the helicopter can lift less. Expect to give passenger and bag weights when you book.
Charter is priced for the whole aircraft by the flight hour: about $1,500 to $4,500 for a helicopter in the US. Tell us the route and we confirm an aircraft and price from Part 135 operators.
Every 12 seater helicopter on charter in the US
Seats are typical passenger seating for each model; "up to" figures are the published maximum. Counts are aircraft on the FAA Part 135 charter list (2 September 2026).
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 5 to 12
- On charter in the US
- 67
- Operators
- 17
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 8 to 15
- On charter in the US
- 41
- Operators
- 9
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 7 to 13
- On charter in the US
- 13
- Operators
- 8
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 5 to 13
- On charter in the US
- 1
- Operators
- 1
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
Charter per hour is our typical range for the aircraft type, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges.
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
12 seater helicopter price
What it costs to buy the models above. Robinson figures are the maker's list prices; the others are dealer listings and published pre-owned averages.
To charter, you pay by the flight hour, not for the seats: about $1,500 to $4,500 per hour for a helicopter like these in the US, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges. An empty seat costs the same as a full one, so price the trip for the whole aircraft.
See our private jet price guide for charter costs by route and aircraft size.
| Model | Price (USD) | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Leonardo AW139 | $7 million | Average pre-owned |
Prices exclude sales tax, delivery and completion. Pre-owned values vary with age, hours and maintenance programmes.
12 seater helicopters on charter in the US
Photos, operators and fleet counts for each model.
Helicopter operators in the US
Licensed operators with the largest helicopter fleets. 431 operators fly helicopters in the US.
344 helicopters: Airbus H135, Bell 407, Airbus H130
186 helicopters: Bell 206L LongRanger, Bell 407, Airbus H130
170 helicopters: Airbus H145, Airbus H135, Bell 407
151 helicopters: Bell 407, Airbus H135, Airbus H125
100 helicopters: Bell 407, Airbus H135, Airbus H125
61 helicopters: Airbus H135, Airbus H125, Airbus H130
61 helicopters: Leonardo AW139, Airbus H125, Leonardo AW119 Koala
54 helicopters: Bell 407, Sikorsky S-92, Sikorsky S-76
45 helicopters: Airbus H125, MD 500, Airbus H130
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistWhich helicopters seat 12 people?+
The Sikorsky S-76, Leonardo AW139, Bell 412 and Airbus AS365 Dauphin are the most common. In all, 4 models on charter in the US carry 11 or 12 passengers.
How much does a 12 seater helicopter cost to charter in the US?+
About $1,500 to $4,500 per flight hour, before federal excise tax, positioning and airport charges. Tell us the route and date for an all-in price.
What is the price of a 12 seater helicopter?+
From about $7 million to $7 million on published list prices and pre-owned averages.
How many 12 seater helicopters are there in the US?+
122 aircraft across 4 models are on the US Part 135 charter list, flown by 31 operators.
Does a 12 seater helicopter include the pilot?+
It depends who is counting. Operators quote passenger seats, with the pilot extra; in everyday use "12 seater" often includes the pilot. This page lists helicopters that carry 11 or 12 passengers.
Related pages
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 14 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
Tell us where you are going.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.