Helicopters
Airbus AS350 Ecureuil
A light single-engine helicopter for up to five passengers, marketed today as the H125, with forward-facing seats and three luggage holds.
Reviewed by Kevin Singh, Founder · Specifications checked against manufacturer and type certificate data · Last updated 14 September 2026
At a glance
Airbus AS350 Ecureuil specifications
Figures are representative of the type; individual aircraft vary with configuration, load and conditions.
Where it fits
The single-engine helicopter known for hot and high work
The Airbus AS350 Ecureuil is sold today as the H125, and as the AStar in North America. The current AS350 B3 flies on one Safran Arriel 2D turbine and carries one pilot with five passengers in the standard layout.
It holds the world helicopter altitude record at 29,029 feet, and its certified hover ceiling out of ground effect is 12,700 feet at maximum weight. That reserve of performance is why it copes well with heat, weight and elevation.
The AS350 family dates from 1977, and the B3 was certified in December 1997. Earlier B, D, B1, B2, BA and BB versions preceded the current Arriel 2D model, which is still in production.
Flights in cloud, or long open-water sectors where a second engine matters. The AS350 has one engine and flies VFR only (day, and night with the required equipment). For the same family with two engines and IFR certification, the AS355 Ecureuil 2 is the better tool.
Missions
What the desk books it for
Five passengers to the islands
Athens or Mykonos to the Cyclades with five aboard and bags split across three separate holds.
Athens to Crete and Corfu
Athens to Heraklion is 167 NM and Athens to Corfu 214 NM, both inside the 340 NM published range. No reserve is stated, so the desk plans fuel and weather before it quotes.
Short hops across the Aegean
Mykonos to Porto Cheli at 105 NM and Mykonos to Bodrum at 111 NM, with the cross-border paperwork for Turkey filed alongside the trip.
Mountain and hot-day flying
Its hover performance suits summer heat and higher landing sites, from Riviera hills to Kenya, planned against the weight of the party on the day.
Where it flies
Routes the desk flies on the AS350
Sectors from our Athens and Mykonos route guides that sit inside the AS350's published range. Each opens to the airports at both ends and what to know before you fly; the desk confirms the fuel plan and landing sites for the specific aircraft.
Cabin and baggage
Forward-facing seats and three holds
The cabin volume is 105.94 cubic feet excluding the pilot area, with forward-facing seats. Airbus lists one pilot and five passengers as standard, four in a VIP layout and six in a high-density sightseeing layout; the European type certificate sets five as the maximum for the B3.
Luggage goes in three separate holds. AS350 B3 technical data from 2008 gives about 35 cubic feet in total, and the type certificate sets limits of 120 kg on the left, 100 kg on the right and 80 kg at the rear.
Soft bags spread across the holds work best. Tell the desk the count and rough weights when you enquire, because with five aboard the bags decide the load as much as the seats do.
Performance and airports
Speed, weather and landing sites
Airbus gives the H125 a fast cruise of 136 knots at maximum takeoff weight, a published range of 340 NM at that speed on standard fuel, and 4 hours 27 minutes of endurance. Maximum takeoff weight is 2,370 kg with dual hydraulics.
On Greek island and Riviera transfers the sectors are short, so range is rarely the limit. Weather is: the AS350 is certified for day VFR, and night VFR with the required equipment, so low cloud or poor visibility can hold a departure.
Villa lawns, hotel pads and private sites each need approval before a helicopter can land there. The desk checks the landing site, the pilot's approvals and the forecast for the specific AS350 before a quote goes out.
Compare the class
AS350 against the other helicopters
How the AS350 lines up against the other helicopters we cover. The H130 seats more, the AS355 publishes longer range, and the H135 and AS355 add a second engine; the AS350's case is five seats, three holds and the fastest published cruise of the single-engine types we cover.
| Aircraft | Passengers | Range | Cruise | Engines | Luggage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leonardo A109C | Up to 7 | n/a | n/a | Twin turbine | 150 kg |
| Airbus H130 | Up to 7 | 327 NM | 128 kts | Single turbine | 39 cu ft |
| Bell 407 | Up to 6 | 337 NM | 133 kts | Single turbine | 16 cu ft |
| Airbus AS350 EcureuilThis aircraft | Up to 5 | 340 NM | 136 kts | Single turbine | 35 cu ft |
| Airbus H135 | Up to 6 | 342 NM | 136 kts | Twin turbine | None |
| Robinson R44 | Up to 3 | 350 NM | 109 kts | Single piston | Under-seat only |
| Robinson R66 | Up to 4 | 350 NM | 110 kts | Single turbine | 18 cu ft |
| Airbus H120 | Up to 4 | 383 NM | 120 kts | Single turbine | 28 cu ft |
| Airbus AS355 Ecureuil 2 | Up to 5 | 395 NM | 120 kts | Twin turbine | 33 cu ft |
Chartering with Icarus Jet
How we charter the AS350
We source AS350s from operators vetted and approved for passenger transport, and the operator's name is on the quote. The desk checks the pilot's approvals, the landing sites at both ends and the weather minima for the flight before it checks availability, so the aircraft offered is one that genuinely fits the trip.
Quotes are all-in and itemised: aircraft and pilot, positioning, landing and handling, fuel and taxes, with nothing added after the flight that was not on the page. The number depends on where the nearest suitable helicopter is based, the dates and the landing sites, which is why we price your actual trip rather than publish a rate.
Questions
AS350 questions the desk gets
How far can an AS350 fly?
Airbus publishes 340 NM for the H125 at fast cruise on standard fuel, with no reserve stated, and 4 hours 27 minutes of endurance. Real flights keep a reserve, so the usable figure is lower. It still covers sectors such as Athens to Corfu at 214 NM.
How many passengers does an AS350 carry?
Five in the standard layout, four in a VIP layout, and six in a high-density sightseeing layout. The European type certificate sets five as the maximum for the B3, and the desk confirms the layout of the specific aircraft.
What is the seating like?
The passenger seats face forward in a cabin of 105.94 cubic feet, excluding the pilot area. Everyone faces the direction of travel, which suits sightseeing and short transfers.
How much luggage fits in an AS350?
Three holds totalling about 35 cubic feet, per 2008 AS350 B3 data, with limits of 120 kg, 100 kg and 80 kg. Tell the desk the bag count early so weight and space are planned before the aircraft is offered.
Is the AS350 the same as the H125?
Yes. The current AS350 B3 with the Arriel 2D is marketed by Airbus as the H125, and as the AStar in North America. Older AS350 versions are still flying, and the desk tells you which one is on the quote.
Can an AS350 fly at night or in cloud?
It is certified for day VFR, and night VFR with the required equipment. It is not certified for IFR, so it does not fly in cloud. If that matters, the desk will quote the twin-engine AS355 alongside it.
How does the AS350 handle heat and altitude?
It holds the world helicopter altitude record at 29,029 feet, and its hover ceiling out of ground effect is 12,700 feet at maximum weight. On hot days and high landing sites, that margin matters.
Related
Around the AS350
Get your number
Charter the AS350
Send the route, the dates and the passengers. The desk checks range and baggage against the trip, then comes back with the aircraft that genuinely fit and an itemised quote.
Prefer to talk? Call +1 888 277 7203. The desk is staffed 24/7.
Comparing aircraft? Browse the Aircraft Guides in the Aviation Library, 600+ guides on chartering and operations.