Helicopters
Which helicopter flies your Bali charter: 4-seat class (up to 4 guests), 6-seat class and two-helicopter groups, with seat counts for R44, R66, H125, Bell 407.
Home›Flight Log›Helicopter types
R44 vs R66 vs H125 vs Bell 407: Which Helicopter Fits Your Group
A Robinson R44 takes the pilot and 3 guests, a Robinson R66 the pilot and 4, an Airbus H125 the pilot and up to 5, and a Bell 407 the pilot and up to 6. All four are single-engine light helicopters that cruise at about 110–135 knots, roughly 205–250 km/h. For Bali, choose by group size and bags: up to 3 guests suit an R44, 4 guests an R66 or H125 class, 5–6 guests a Bell 407 or Airbus H130 class, and 7–8 guests two helicopters. The exact aircraft is confirmed with your quote.
Short answer
R44 vs R66 vs H125 vs Bell 407: The Short Answer
You choose the class, and the operator assigns the aircraft that fits your weights, your route and the day. Our guide prices are set for two classes: up to 4 guests, and up to 6 guests at about 1.4 times the 4-seat rate. The quote states which class flies. We do not name one model as ours, because availability changes.
- Up to 3 guests: a Robinson R44 class is enough. A couple and one friend with small bags fit well.
- 4 guests: a Robinson R66 or an Airbus H125 class. The 4-seat price applies.
- 5 to 6 guests: a Bell 407 or an Airbus H130 class, which seats the pilot and up to 6. The 6-seat price applies.
- 7 to 8 guests: two helicopters flying together, one for each half of the group.
Our helicopter classes page shows the same split with photos, and the price page shows what each class costs for scenic flights and charter.
Side by side
The Helicopters Side by Side: Seats, Engine, Speed and View
Seat counts are the pilot plus the guests the model normally takes in tourist configuration. Speeds are typical cruise. Real figures vary with load, heat and routing.
| Model | Seats | Engine | Typical cruise | Cabin and view |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson R44 | Pilot + 3 guests | Piston | Lower end of the 110–135 knot range | Compact cabin, two seats front and two behind, large windows; small baggage space |
| Robinson R66 | Pilot + 4 guests | Turbine | Lower end of the range | The R44's layout with a turbine engine and one more seat; still a compact cabin |
| Airbus H125 | Pilot + up to 5 guests | Turbine | Upper end of the range | Tall, wide windows and a strong all-round view; strong in heat and over hills |
| Bell 407 | Pilot + up to 6 guests | Turbine | Upper end of the range | A roomy cabin and a steady ride; suits families and groups |
| Airbus H130 | Pilot + up to 6 guests | Turbine | Upper end of the range | Large windows and a cabin with a reputation for low noise; also seen on scenic flights |
Cabin descriptions are general. Window seats and seat order depend on the aircraft assigned. Read our safety questions to ask an operator before you compare quotes.
Pros and cons
Pros and Cons for Tourists in Bali
| Model | In its favour | Against |
|---|---|---|
| R44 | Fits small pads and tight sites; fine for a couple or a trio; a simple scenic flight | Three guests at most; piston engine; less payload margin in Bali heat; small hold |
| R66 | A turbine engine with room for four; the same compact feel as the R44 | Still a compact cabin; four adults plus bags can reach the load limit on a hot day |
| H125 | Strong performance in heat and over mountains, which suits Batur and hot afternoons; up to five guests; good visibility | Needs more landing space than an R44; the model flown depends on availability |
| Bell 407 | Space for up to six; a steady, roomy ride; good for families and mixed-age groups | A larger aircraft needs a larger site; a villa lawn may not qualify |
| H130 | Up to six guests, large windows and a cabin with a reputation for low noise; a good photo platform | Also a larger site; availability varies |
Which class
Which Class Fits Which Group
Prices are guide prices for the whole helicopter.
| Guests | Class | Aircraft in this class | Guide price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 4-seat class | R44-type | 18-minute Uluwatu flight $650 |
| 4 | 4-seat class | R66 or H125 type | 18-minute Uluwatu flight $650 |
| 5–6 | 6-seat class | Bell 407 or H130 type; H125 for five | Hourly charter $3,300 |
| 7–8 | Two helicopters | A pair, flying together | Priced as two aircraft |
Hourly charter for up to 4 guests is $2,300 and for up to 6 guests $3,300. The class is confirmed with the quote. See also group flights for 6 to 8 people.
Speed
Does Speed Matter on a Tour?
Less than you expect. On a 30 km leg, the difference between a 110-knot cruise and a 135-knot cruise is under two minutes. On a 12- to 30-minute scenic flight the pilot sets the pace for the view, not the aircraft, and the faster types only pull ahead on longer transfers.
It shows up on longer transfers. The crossing from the airport area to Lombok International Airport is 35–50 min. The shorter figure fits a fast turbine and the longer one a slower light helicopter, and wind adds or removes minutes on the day. The Bali to Lombok page gives the price and compares the flight with the boat and the plane.
For a sightseeing flight, choose the aircraft by seats and landing site, not by speed.
Weight and heat
Seats Are Not the Same as Capacity
A four-seat or five-seat helicopter will not always carry four or five adults with bags. In Bali's heat the air is thin, so the aircraft lifts less, and fuel and the pilot use part of what remains. Combined passenger and bag weight is the limit, which is why we ask for approximate weights before we confirm a class.
Three tips follow from this. First, pack soft bags and keep them light. Second, fly early when the air is cooler if you are near the limit. Third, tell us honestly. A heavier group or a lot of luggage simply moves you to the larger class. Our guide to weight limits and baggage has details.
How it works
How the Aircraft Is Chosen for Your Booking
You send guests, weights and bags
Rough figures are enough. Mention children and any heavy bag.
We match a class
Up to 4 guests is the 4-seat class, up to 6 guests the 6-seat class, and 7 to 8 guests two helicopters. The route and the landing site can also limit the choice.
The operator assigns the aircraft
A licensed Indonesian air operator flies the booking. The quote names the class and, where confirmed, the model.
Requests are noted, not promised
If you prefer a turbine aircraft or a model with large windows for photography, say so. We pass it on, but availability decides.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How many passengers fit in an R44, R66, H125 and Bell 407?
A Robinson R44 takes the pilot and 3 guests, an R66 the pilot and 4, an Airbus H125 the pilot and up to 5, and a Bell 407 the pilot and up to 6. Weight and bags can reduce that in Bali heat.
Which helicopter is best for a Bali sightseeing flight?
Whichever matches your group. A couple does well in any of them. Four guests suit an R66 or H125 class, and five or six guests suit a Bell 407 or Airbus H130 class. Groups of 7–8 fly in two helicopters.
Are these helicopters single-engine?
Yes. Most tourist flights in Bali use single-engine light helicopters. Ask the operator about the route, equipment for water crossings and the pilot's experience; our safety questions guide has the list.
Can I choose the exact helicopter model?
You choose the class. The operator assigns the model that fits your weights, route and day, and the quote states it. We note requests, such as turbine power or large windows, but we do not promise a model.
How fast is a tourist helicopter in Bali?
Typical cruise is about 110–135 knots, roughly 205–250 km/h. The Robinsons sit at the lower end and the larger Airbus and Bell types at the upper end.
What if my group has 7 or 8 people?
Two helicopters fly together, one for each half of the group, and you land at the same site if it has space for two. The price is for two aircraft. See group flights.
Send Your Group Size and Weights
Tell us the date, how many guests and rough weights and bags. We reply the same day on WhatsApp with the class, the pad and a fixed price for the whole helicopter. Nothing is paid on this site.
Get My Quote on WhatsAppRelated
Read next
Helicopter Weight Limits and Baggage
Why weight is the limit in Bali heat, how we ask for weights, soft bags only, and what happens if the group is heavy.
Group Helicopter Flight for 6 to 8 People
One 6-seat helicopter or two together: how to split a group, what it costs per person, weights, formation and who flies first.
Is It Safe to Fly a Helicopter in Bali?
Twelve practical questions to ask any Bali helicopter operator, the red flags to watch for, and what we do on the booking side.
Helicopter Charter by the Hour
From $2,300 per hour · whole helicopter
Hire a private helicopter by the hour. You choose the route and the stops. 4-seat and 6-seat classes, pilot and fuel included.
Prices
Bali helicopter prices for 2026: scenic flights from $450, charter $2,300 per flight hour, island transfers by flight time. Whole-helicopter USD rates.