When it comes to travel, nothing is more exotic and luxurious than your own private helicopter. In fact, many celebrities and business owners choose private helicopters over a private airplane, and for many good reasons (1). They are easier to land, easier to maneuver, and carry less people. They are efficient at taking you from one place to another very quickly and are versatile enough to land on the top of a building, rather than an airplane which would require an entire landing strip. Many choose a helicopter for short distances over heavy street traffic or overcrowded areas.
While many of us may never own private helicopters in our lifetime, we can’t help but be intrigued by those who do. The amount of money required to maintain one, let alone own one, is baffling. What’s even more so baffling is the different options available to those who have the money to own one. While there are many incredible options on the market, and some even less expensive than you would think, there are also elite options used by those of British Royalty, celebrities, athletes, politicians, and many others. From designer fabrics, to luxurious seating options, the most expensive helicopter for private ownership takes it to the next level of luxury and is sure to blow you away.
AgustaWestland AW109 Grand Versace VIP
This helicopter is extremely exclusive, coming in at about $5.5 million, only obtained by VIP passengers (2). The AgustaWestland AW109 Grand Versace VIP, yes you read that right this is a Versace helicopter, another brilliant collaboration between AugustaWestland, a luxury helicopter brand, with the infamous Italian fashion house, Versace. The two proved to be a powerful pair, designing one of the most luxurious air travel options on the market. Each sticking to what they know best, AgustaWestland created yet another beautiful AW109 and Versace dripped the helicopter with designer interior fabrics, the famous Versace pattern, and even put the Versace pattern on the trim of the outside of the helicopter – a sure way to brag about your luxurious buy.
It seats the same as the AW109, about 4-6 passengers, although the cabin is a bit longer that the regular AW109. It still has a top speed of about 177mph with a range of 599 miles. The only difference between the AW109 and the AW109 Grand Versace VIP, is that passengers with be covered in designer patterns as they travel.
The interior is covered in subtle Versace patterns, as mentioned before, and stuck to the clean, traditional grey color scheme of the original AW109. It includes comfortable leather seats, large windows, and large doors for easy entry. The exterior of this magnificent airbus is white with black accents, and of course, black Versace patterns on the trim. In case you couldn’t get enough Versace on the ground, you can now fly in a custom Versace helicopter, a beautiful masterpiece from the house of Versace.
Eurocopter Mercedes-Benz EC 145
For $8.5 million, this helicopters careful design and collaboration of the most brilliant minds of luxury, this flying machine provides practical, comfortable, and classy transfers to avoid the busiest streets of any city. The Eurocopter Mercedes-Benz EC 145 is a beautiful luxurious collaboration between the European aircraft company Airbus and the Germany luxury car brand, Mercedes-Benz (3). The goal was to turn the Eurocopter EC145 into the ultra-luxury option for elite travelers, and aimed to take on the characteristics of the classic Mercedes-Benz. The collaboration resulted to be one of the most elegant, exclusive models on the market, and is being produced out of the Mercedes-Benz office in Como, Italy.
This helicopter seats 4 to 6 people and encompasses the style and comfort that Mercedes-Benz has been known for since 1926. It is a dual-turbine helicopter with deluxe leather seats, aluminum and polished wood and specialty design options tailored to your style of travel including entertainment systems, double door for easier boarding, and LED light systems. The interior is very classic Mercedes-Benz with its signature white and black leather module seats and polished wood accents. Big windows allow you to see the city or landscape go by from up above as you travel. The outside of the airbus is painted silver with black accents, setting it apart from the competition.
Airbus H225 Super Puma
For a whopping $27 million dollars, the Airbus H225 Super Puma is built for more than just your average quick commute (4). This helicopter is built with distance and durability in mind. It holds up to 24 passengers, an additional 2 crew members, and 1 cabin attendant. From take off to landing, this magnificent bus in the sky is built with the ultimate luxurious set up, from comfortable seats, tall overhead space, and of course, some extra leg room, the Airbus H225 Super Puma is an incredible machine.
As the newest member of the Airbus’ Super Puma family, this twin-turbine rotorcraft offers the industry’s best range, speed, and reliability. With proven technology and experience, the Super Puma family settles for nothing less than excellence, and that could not be more perfectly displayed than in their H225 helicopter creation. While this copter is available for private ownership, its durability and reliability also make it practical for a wide range of missions, both demanding and long distance.
Final Words
In our busy world today, many executives, politicians, celebrities, athletes, and others with demanding schedules find it difficult to maneuver around some of the busiest cities in the world including Los Angeles, New York, Tokyo, Mumbai, to name a few. With calendars filled up and time carefully planned out, being stuck in traffic can be detrimental. However, in recent years, helicopter travel has not just been a frivolous overspend, but rather a necessity. With its speed, comfort, and versatile abilities, helicopters are on the rise as the newest form of quick travel. But whatever distance you may be traveling and to whatever location, meeting, or appointment, you might as well do it in luxury.
