Just commissioned a beautiful new superyacht with a helicopter deck? Whether your new to the aerial world or an experienced buyer, our guide will give you plenty of options for your next purchase.

Leonardo AW169

The latest release from Leonardo, the AW169 aims to be the perfect blend of style, luxury and safety. Cutting-edge soundproofing provides an unbelievably quiet cabin which can be configured for between five and eight passengers and even comes with entertainment and environment systems controlled by your smartphone. At 48 feet in length the AW169 isn't small but if you can find the space you'll be rewarded with a max range of 440 nautical miles. Expect to pay around $8.5 million.

Formerly known as the Eurocopter EC135, the mid-sized H135 is based on a design first seen 20 years ago — one that has become highly regarded for its reliability, quiet running and competitive price. It is renowned for its ability to land in tricky spaces (making it ideal for superyachts) and for its operational capability at high altitude and in hot weather. It also has an exceptional long-distance carrying capacity. All of which explains why more than 1,150 are in use around the world in the hands of private, commercial and military operators. An H135 also will appeal to those who don’t mind spending more than $4 million on a helicopter but do resent paying through the nose to run it. Its relatively simple design, long inspection intervals and moderate fuel consumption make it one of the lowest-cost twin-engined helis to run. From $4.2 million.

For speed and comfort, Bell’s 407GXP is difficult to beat in the field of single-engined helicopters. Its Rolls-Royce turbine engine allows a 133-knot cruise and the spacious cabin seats five passengers in the rear, plus one more in the cockpit on single-pilot flights. A favourite with rescue teams because of its manoeuvrability, the 407GXP is also known for its smooth and quiet ride. While already claimed to be the best in its class, it can be further enhanced with the optional “quiet cruise” kit. Add to this the availability of sumptuous upholstery and large windows, and this is one heli that really is “a nice place to be.” Pilots, meanwhile, love its Garmin G1000H-model glass cockpit and highly responsive controls. A great choice for yachts with a tight landing area. Your for $2.7 million.

Despite a pedigree that dates back to the original AW109, when the company was known as AugustaWestland, the twin-engined AW109 GrandNew still looks fresh and purposeful. Capable of carrying up to six passengers in a quiet cabin with luxurious seating that can be arranged in various configurations, it has a range of 460 nautical miles, an altitude ceiling of 16,000 feet and a 180mph cruising ability that’s made possible by its drag-reducing retractable undercarriage. But at 42 feet in length, it’s more suited to gigayachts than mere superyachts, but all that fuselage area does make the ideal blank canvas for an eye-catching paint job. From $6.5 million.

The first of Airbus' super-luxe H175 VIP helicopters was recently delivered with Arsenal football club shareholder Alisher Usmanov reportedly installing one on board his new 156 metre LürssenDilbar. The luxury helicopter can seat eight and has a customisable interior by Pegasus Design meant to rival the finest investment-worthy private jets. Dimmable panoramic windows, mood lighting, TV screens and WiFi all come as standard in the soundproofed cabin and, while Airbus have not disclosed an exact price, the H175 helicopter is thought to be in the range of $20-25 million.

Anyone who has seen the 1967 Bond film You Only Live Twice will remember Little Nellie, the gyrocopter that could be packed into four suitcases. The modern equivalent is the MTOsport, which is powered by a Rotax engine and can carry two people in its open-top pod. Available in kit form from €26,250.

If you want to be at the cutting edge of helicopter design, put your name down for the recently unveiled H160. It features a fully composite airframe, twin Turbomeca Arrano turboshafts and a shrouded tail rotor for silent travel. It will carry 12 passengers and cruise at 185mph for 500 miles. First deliveries are due in 2018, POA.

If you have a large family (or lots of friends) the commercial S-76C could be for you. Capable of carrying up to 14 people, it is powered by twin turboshaft engines and even has retractable landing gear. A new one will set you back upwards of $13 million.

One of the most popular full-sized, entry level helicopters – almost 6,000 have been sold. Powered by a single six-cylinder piston engine, it carries four people, cruises at 135mph, and has a range of 350 miles. In 1997 Jennifer Murray used one to become the first woman to circumnavigate the globe by heli. It costs from $375,000.