The Agusta 109 is the twin-engine helicopter Los Angeles clients ask for when the transfer has to feel like the jet it connects to. Six or seven seats, retractable gear, 154 knots, and a cabin finished to a standard the rest of this category does not attempt.
Leonardo, formerly AgustaWestland, built the A109 as a twin-turbine light helicopter with retractable landing gear, which is unusual in the class and is where much of its speed comes from. Six to seven passengers, 154 knots and roughly 500 nautical miles of range. Full specifications for the Agusta 109 are published by Leonardo Helicopters.
Performance and Cabin
- Category: Helicopter
- Manufacturer: Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland)
- Year introduced: 1996
- Seating: 6 to 7
- Crew: 1 to 2
- Range: 500 nautical miles
- Cruise speed: 154 knots
- Service ceiling: 19,685 feet
- Length: 43.9 feet
- Wingspan: 36.1 feet
- Height: 11.5 feet
- Baggage volume: 34 cubic feet
Why the Agusta 109 Fits Los Angeles
Twin engines are the reason this aircraft gets picked for the overwater legs, and around Los Angeles that means the Santa Catalina Island run and coastal routing toward Santa Barbara and Malibu. Whether a given operator is approved for a particular landing site is confirmed before the trip is sold, not assumed from the aircraft type.
The 109 is also the helicopter that most often connects to a departing jet. A transfer from the Westside or Beverly Hills into Van Nuys or Hollywood Burbank turns an unpredictable drive into a fixed number of minutes, which is what makes it worth arranging around an international departure with a hard slot.
It is the fastest helicopter on this site at 154 knots, and on a longer coastal leg that is the difference between a comfortable transfer and one people remember for the wrong reason.
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Vetting Behind Every Trip
Every operator, aircraft, and crew goes through our internal due diligence before we present any options. Our internal standards meet or exceed what the FAA requires:
- FAR Part 135 charter operators for traditional private aircraft, or FAR Part 121 for airliner-size and group trips (or the foreign equivalent on international legs)
- Operator subscription to Wyvern and ARGUS reviewed where the operator participates.
- Pilot experience and operator incident history reviewed before we recommend an aircraft.
- Fewer than 60 brokers worldwide hold Premium Wyvern Broker Member status, and Air Charter Advisors is one of them.
Charter Pricing Reference
Industry hourly rates for the Agusta 109 run $2,500 to $3,500 per hour as of 7/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
The Agusta 109 quotes above the single-engine helicopters and below the Sikorsky S-76, and for a Los Angeles overwater transfer the twin-engine configuration is usually what the difference buys.
Other Helicopters Available
The full helicopters category page lists every helicopter we arrange for Los Angeles departures.
Contact
For a quote on a Agusta 109 charter in or out of Los Angeles, call +1 (888) 987-5387 or head to our contact page. For the vetting work behind every trip, see our safety page. To browse cross-category options for the same trip, visit the aircraft directory.
The hourly rates provided are estimates based on 2026 market data and are for informational purposes only. These figures are subject to change and do not constitute a final offer. Final pricing is dynamic and depends on real-time factors including, but not limited to, specific itinerary requirements, aircraft positioning (“ferry” fees), fuel price volatility, and current market availability. These estimates exclude all applicable taxes, de-icing, landing and handling fees, special event fees, international surcharges, overnight crew expenses, and premium catering. Please contact Air Charter Advisors directly for a firm, all-inclusive quote tailored to your specific travel needs.