8 seater helicopter
Every helicopter on the US charter list that carries 7 or 8 passengers, what it costs per hour to charter, and what it costs to buy.
- Models
- 10
- Aircraft on charter
- 848
- Operators
- 129
- Per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
What counts as an 8 seater helicopter
The Airbus H130, Bell 206L LongRanger, Airbus H145 and Sikorsky S-76 are the 8-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 $6 million to buy.
Operators count passenger seats, with the pilot extra. In everyday use a "8 seater" often includes the pilot, so this page lists helicopters that carry 7 or 8 passengers.
10 models on the US Part 135 charter list seat 7 or 8 passengers; together they make up 848 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 8 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
- 6 to 7
- On charter in the US
- 260
- Operators
- 21
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 5 to 7
- On charter in the US
- 232
- Operators
- 62
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 7 to 9
- On charter in the US
- 184
- Operators
- 23
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- 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
- On charter in the US
- 31
- Operators
- 8
- Charter per hour
- $1,500 to $4,500
- Type
- Helicopter
- Passenger seats
- 6 to 10
- On charter in the US
- 15
- Operators
- 4
- 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
- 6 to 8
- On charter in the US
- 4
- Operators
- 1
- 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.
8 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus H145 | $6 million | Average pre-owned |
| Leonardo AW139 | $7 million | Average pre-owned |
Prices exclude sales tax, delivery and completion. Pre-owned values vary with age, hours and maintenance programmes.
Sources:Aircraft Cost Calculator: Airbus H145Aircraft Cost Calculator: Leonardo AW139
8 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 8 people?+
The Airbus H130, Bell 206L LongRanger, Airbus H145 and Sikorsky S-76 are the most common. In all, 10 models on charter in the US carry 7 or 8 passengers.
How much does an 8 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 an 8 seater helicopter?+
From about $6 million to $7 million on published list prices and pre-owned averages.
How many 8 seater helicopters are there in the US?+
848 aircraft across 10 models are on the US Part 135 charter list, flown by 129 operators.
Does an 8 seater helicopter include the pilot?+
It depends who is counting. Operators quote passenger seats, with the pilot extra; in everyday use "8 seater" often includes the pilot. This page lists helicopters that carry 7 or 8 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.