Inside the next-generation Airbus helicopters at this year's Monaco Yacht Show

From the quieter, design-led ACH160 to the adaptable new ACH140, Airbus is developing helicopters that bring together aviation innovation, bespoke interiors and the practical demands of superyacht ownership. BOAT stepped on board during the Monaco Yacht Show 2026...

Airbus Corporate Helicopters brought a taste of next-generation private aviation to the Monaco Yacht Show, showcasing two aircraft designed with the needs of yacht owners and their guests in mind. BOAT joined Airbus for a demonstration flight on board the ACH160 on the opening morning of the show, taking in a bird’s-eye view of the yachts gathered in Port Hercule before flying along the Riviera and into the surrounding mountains. 

The ACH160 was designed with input from superyacht studio Harrison Eidsgaard, which helped shape its initial design in 2016. The aircraft is now Airbus’ flagship offering in the private and business aviation market.

The ACH160 combines a predominantly composite construction with Airbus’ Blue Edge rotor blades, which use a distinctive ‘hockey-stick’ profile to reduce noise. The result is an aircraft that Airbus says is 35 per cent quieter than previous-generation helicopters. It also features a canted Fenestron tail rotor – a shrouded design that improves safety and contributes to the aircraft’s performance.

With a maximum cruise speed of 155 knots and a range of up to 460 nautical miles, the ACH160 is designed to offer both performance and comfort, with a highly customisable cabin available in Line, Lounge and Exclusive configurations.

Meet the ACH140

Meanwhile, on the Yacht Club de Monaco rooftop, Airbus was displaying a full-scale cabin mock-up of its new ACH140, which is due to enter service in 2030. The aircraft sits between the established H135 and H145 in Airbus’ range, while offering a larger cabin within a footprint designed to remain compatible with yacht operations.

The ACH140 retains the same D-value – the aviation term for an aircraft’s footprint – as the H135, but provides almost 30 per cent more cabin space. Its reconfigurable seating means the cabin can be adapted according to its role, from carrying yacht guests to transporting supplies or equipment. It could also be configured for emergency medical transport.

The cabin shown in Monaco was developed with F/LIST, bringing together the Austrian company's expertise in yacht and aircraft interiors. F/LIST is among the outfitters contributing to the ACH140’s new ACH Line interior concept, alongside Borghino. Airbus unveiled the full-scale ACH140 cabin mock-up at Verticon in March, with launch customers in the US, Brazil and Europe and deliveries expected from 2030.

The presence of both aircraft at Monaco reflects the increasingly close relationship between private aviation and yachting, with helicopters offering owners a way to move between shore, yacht and destinations beyond the reach of conventional road transport.

Airbus Corporate Helicopters is part of Airbus Business Aviation, the company's dedicated offering for private and business aviation across both fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.