A helicopter suits the Philadelphia trip where the destination has no runway at all.
Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) introduced the Agusta 109 in 1996. It is flown by a crew of 1 to 2. The type carries 6 to 7 passengers, cruises at 154 knots, tops out at 19,685 feet, covers 500 nautical miles and holds 34 cubic feet of baggage. 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 Philadelphia
There is a local reason the AW109 comes up often here. Leonardo’s United States helicopter business, AgustaWestland Philadelphia Corporation, is based at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, so the type is familiar to the operators and handlers in this market.
Most Philadelphia helicopter work is short: a transfer from the city out to a meeting in the western suburbs, a hop to the Jersey shore, or a connection to one of the regional airports rather than a trip that covers distance.
Northeast Philadelphia and Trenton-Mercer are the two fields in this market with based helicopter fleets, and Trenton-Mercer has the larger of the two, so repositioning is usually straightforward.
Landing sites take more planning than the flying does. A helipad needs permission, local noise procedures apply, and daylight matters on a winter afternoon, so your advisor confirms all three before your date.
Gallery
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 8/2026. Actual quotes vary by operator, routing, positioning, and date.
As a rough guide, Philadelphia to Toronto is about 298 nautical miles, which is about 2.0 hours of flight time at this aircraft’s cruise speed before winds and routing are applied.
Other Helicopters Available
Contact
For a quote on a Agusta 109 charter to or from Philadelphia, call 1-888-987-5387 or visit 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.