See inside the cabin and cockpit of a luxury Aero jet, which caters to wealthy clientele flying to Aspen, Ibiza, and elsewhere

Danielle BauterSep 17, 2022, 19:49 IST

Aero's Embraer ERJ-135 jet.Danielle Bauter

Aero is a luxury airline that operates in Europe and North America for $1,000 each way.
Danielle Bauter flew to Aspen on Aero and got to experience the amenities and tour the cockpit.

With so many reports of flight chaos nowadays, I've been thinking about a stress-free travel experience I had with Aero last year.

The outside of an Aero Embraer ERJ-135 jet.Danielle Bauter

Aero is a luxury jet service catering to wealthy clientele.

An Aero jet.An Aero Embraer ERJ135 aircraft.

It charters flights to and from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos, Mexico, as well as between Nice and Ibiza and London and between Mykonos and Ibiza.

The Aero logo outside the terminal.Aero

It charters flights to and from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos, Mexico, as well as between Nice and Ibiza and London and between Mykonos and Ibiza.

One-way fares start at around $1,000. It launched in Europe in 2020 and in the US in February 2021. The company raised $65 million in series B funding in August and is valued at $300 million.

An Aero jet.Danielle Bauter

One-way fares start at around $1,000. It launched in Europe in 2020 and in the US in February 2021. The company raised $65 million in series B funding in August and is valued at $300 million.

For this trip, I flew from Los Angeles to Aspen.

The view from the plane in Aspen.Danielle Bauter

As I entered the terminal, I immediately noticed how it lacked the chaos of an airport, and I was greeted upon arrival.

Outside the Aero terminal.Aero

After collecting my information and checking my bag, an Aero employee handed me a sleek, clear boarding pass.

Aero's boarding pass.Danielle Bauter

Aero offers the luxury of arriving at a private terminal only 20 minutes before departure.

The Aero terminal.Aero

They also have a dedicated concierge team, who can book you a driver or make sure your favorite drink is on board.

The Aero terminal.Aero

I quickly became a fan of Amass hard seltzer.

Amass seltzer, one amenity provided by Aero.Danielle Bauter

Brent Hoffman, a pilot who's been at the company for a year, recently invited me on board the aircraft so that I could view the cockpit and learn more about its features.

Brent Hoffman in front of an Aero jet.Danielle Bauter

Brent Hoffman, a pilot who's been at the company for a year, recently invited me on board the aircraft so that I could view the cockpit and learn more about its features.

Hoffman flies to Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos, Mexico, from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

An Aero engine.Aero

The plane I toured, the ERJ-135 jet, accommodates up to 16 passengers.

The stairs leading into the Aero jet.Danielle Bauter

It has hand-stitched Italian-leather seats and ample luggage storage.

The seats on Aero.Aero

The plane lacks overhead bins, but you can check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds each and one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.

You can enjoy both a window and aisle seat simultaneously on Aero's flights.Danielle Bauter

The plane lacks overhead bins, but you can check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds each and one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.

On my flight to Aspen last year, I especially enjoyed the mood lighting and a custom sound system by Bongiovi Acoustic Labs, which turns interior panels into speakers and feels like an immersive experience.

The inside of the cabin.Danielle Bauter

On my flight to Aspen last year, I especially enjoyed the mood lighting and a custom sound system by Bongiovi Acoustic Labs, which turns interior panels into speakers and feels like an immersive experience.

And the leg room was amazing, with 43" between my seat and the one in front of me.

Plenty of legroom.Danielle Bauter

Even the four-legged passengers seemed excited to be there, especially this little one.

A fellow passenger.Danielle Bauter

As I entered the plane, I got my first glimpse inside the cockpit, where all of the flight magic happens. Right outside the entrance is the flight attendant's seat.

The entrance to an Aero jet cockpit.Danielle Bauter

As I entered, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, as there seemed to be so many different buttons, switches, lights, and screens that I wasn't sure where to look.

The view of the cockpit from the doorway.Danielle Bauter

I watched Hoffman climb into the cockpit and settle into his seat, a place where he clearly felt comfortable.

Hoffman preparing to explain the cockpit's features.Danielle Bauter

He explained that Aero operates Embraer ERJ-135 shuttles. Currently, there are three in the North American fleet and three in Europe, with plans to expand to 30 total jets.

Controls in the cockpit of an Aero jet.Danielle Bauter

He explained that Aero operates Embraer ERJ-135 shuttles. Currently, there are three in the North American fleet and three in Europe, with plans to expand to 30 total jets.

Hoffman said the jets are in high demand because they have low operating costs.

An Aero jet.An Aero Embraer ERJ135 aircraft.

The first thing he reviewed was the preflight checklist, a series of tasks that must be performed before takeoff. Many are done with call and response between the captain and first officer.

The preflight checklist.Danielle Bauter

The first thing he reviewed was the preflight checklist, a series of tasks that must be performed before takeoff. Many are done with call and response between the captain and first officer.

From my vantage point in the first officer's seat, I took in my set of screens, including the primary flight display, which makes altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, and other measurements, and the multifunction display, which displays the route, the weather radar, the traffic-collision-avoidance system, and a moving map.

My view of the PFD and MFD from the first officer's seat.Danielle Bauter

From my vantage point in the first officer's seat, I took in my set of screens, including the primary flight display, which makes altitude, airspeed, vertical speed, and other measurements, and the multifunction display, which displays the route, the weather radar, the traffic-collision-avoidance system, and a moving map.

Above my head are the ice-protection and air-conditioning panels, which keep moisture from accumulating on aircraft surfaces and also keep the plane cool.

Controls in the cockpit.Danielle Bauter

I was also curious about the big yellow lever. Turns out, it prevents wind from causing unexpected movement of the control surfaces.

Danielle Bauter

I couldn't comprehend how someone could remember all these different bells and whistles, but Hoffman reassured me that not only do the pilots go through extensive training, they're also regularly monitored by the FAA and Aero's own in-house team.

Hoffman explains the features of the cockpit.Danielle Bauter

I couldn't comprehend how someone could remember all these different bells and whistles, but Hoffman reassured me that not only do the pilots go through extensive training, they're also regularly monitored by the FAA and Aero's own in-house team.

The cockpit voice recorder starts recording the moment the batteries are turned on before takeoff, and is a useful component in determining what happened in the case of a crash.

Cockpit voice recorder.Danielle Bauter

The cockpit voice recorder starts recording the moment the batteries are turned on before takeoff, and is a useful component in determining what happened in the case of a crash.

In case of fire, there's a protocol that must be followed, but pulling the red fire-extinguishing handle will essentially shut down the engine.

Aero’s fire extinguishing handle.Danielle Bauter

There's also a good old-fashioned fire extinguisher if necessary.

Fire extinguisher and other safety equipment along the back wall.Danielle Bauter

Oxygen tanks are available for pilots in case of emergency.

Aero’s oxygen tanks.Danielle Bauter

Hoffman also said the different screens in front of the pilot mirror each other, with one for each pilot. At the bottom is the flight management system, where pilots enter the flight plan and ensure the data is correct.

Aero’s LED screens including the Flight Management System.Danielle Bauter

Hoffman also said the different screens in front of the pilot mirror each other, with one for each pilot. At the bottom is the flight management system, where pilots enter the flight plan and ensure the data is correct.

The rows of buttons above my head were circuit breakers, something that Hoffman said he doesn't mess with. If he notices anything that could potentially be missing, he'll instead call one of Aero's mechanics for assistance.

Aero’s circuit breakers.Danielle Bauter

The rows of buttons above my head were circuit breakers, something that Hoffman said he doesn't mess with. If he notices anything that could potentially be missing, he'll instead call one of Aero's mechanics for assistance.

Once Hoffman explained the features to me, I felt even more confident about Aero's security procedures. It also made me long for an experience like the flight I took to Aspen. I can't wait to fly with them again.

Bauter in front of the plane.Danielle Bauter

Once Hoffman explained the features to me, I felt even more confident about Aero's security procedures. It also made me long for an experience like the flight I took to Aspen. I can't wait to fly with them again.

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See inside the cabin and cockpit of a luxury Aero jet, which caters to wealthy clientele flying to Aspen, Ibiza, and elsewhere

With so many reports of flight chaos nowadays, I've been thinking about a stress-free travel experience I had with Aero last year.

Aero is a luxury jet service catering to wealthy clientele.

It charters flights to and from Los Angeles, San Francisco, Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos, Mexico, as well as between Nice and Ibiza and London and between Mykonos and Ibiza.

One-way fares start at around $1,000. It launched in Europe in 2020 and in the US in February 2021. The company raised $65 million in series B funding in August and is valued at $300 million.

For this trip, I flew from Los Angeles to Aspen.

As I entered the terminal, I immediately noticed how it lacked the chaos of an airport, and I was greeted upon arrival.

After collecting my information and checking my bag, an Aero employee handed me a sleek, clear boarding pass.

Aero offers the luxury of arriving at a private terminal only 20 minutes before departure.

They also have a dedicated concierge team, who can book you a driver or make sure your favorite drink is on board.

I quickly became a fan of Amass hard seltzer.

Brent Hoffman, a pilot who's been at the company for a year, recently invited me on board the aircraft so that I could view the cockpit and learn more about its features.

Hoffman flies to Aspen, Sun Valley, and Los Cabos, Mexico, from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

The plane I toured, the ERJ-135 jet, accommodates up to 16 passengers.

It has hand-stitched Italian-leather seats and ample luggage storage.

The plane lacks overhead bins, but you can check two pieces of luggage weighing up to 50 pounds each and one small personal item that fits under the seat in front of you.

On my flight to Aspen last year, I especially enjoyed the mood lighting and a custom sound system by Bongiovi Acoustic Labs, which turns interior panels into speakers and feels like an immersive experience.

And the leg room was amazing, with 43" between my seat and the one in front of me.

Even the four-legged passengers seemed excited to be there, especially this little one.

As I entered the plane, I got my first glimpse inside the cockpit, where all of the flight magic happens. Right outside the entrance is the flight attendant's seat.

As I entered, I felt a bit overwhelmed at first, as there seemed to be so many different buttons, switches, lights, and screens that I wasn't sure where to look.

I watched Hoffman climb into the cockpit and settle into his seat, a place where he clearly felt comfortable.

He explained that Aero operates Embraer ERJ-135 shuttles. Currently, there are three in the North American fleet and three in Europe, with plans to expand to 30 total jets.

Hoffman said the jets are in high demand because they have low operating costs.

The first thing he reviewed was the preflight checklist, a series of tasks that must be performed before takeoff. Many are done with call and response between the captain and first officer.

Above my head are the ice-protection and air-conditioning panels, which keep moisture from accumulating on aircraft surfaces and also keep the plane cool.

I was also curious about the big yellow lever. Turns out, it prevents wind from causing unexpected movement of the control surfaces.

I couldn't comprehend how someone could remember all these different bells and whistles, but Hoffman reassured me that not only do the pilots go through extensive training, they're also regularly monitored by the FAA and Aero's own in-house team.

The cockpit voice recorder starts recording the moment the batteries are turned on before takeoff, and is a useful component in determining what happened in the case of a crash.

In case of fire, there's a protocol that must be followed, but pulling the red fire-extinguishing handle will essentially shut down the engine.

There's also a good old-fashioned fire extinguisher if necessary.

Oxygen tanks are available for pilots in case of emergency.

Hoffman also said the different screens in front of the pilot mirror each other, with one for each pilot. At the bottom is the flight management system, where pilots enter the flight plan and ensure the data is correct.

The rows of buttons above my head were circuit breakers, something that Hoffman said he doesn't mess with. If he notices anything that could potentially be missing, he'll instead call one of Aero's mechanics for assistance.

Once Hoffman explained the features to me, I felt even more confident about Aero's security procedures. It also made me long for an experience like the flight I took to Aspen. I can't wait to fly with them again.