Aura Aero reveals new interior layout designs for its ERA hybrid-electric regional airliner
April 22, 2026
Aura Aero, the French aerospace company developing a hybrid-electric regional aircraft, has unveiled three new design concepts for the ERA.
The designs demonstrate the versatility of the cabin on the aircraft, from a 19-seat economy configuration to a luxurious eight-seat VIP layout. The reveal follows Aura Aero’s recent announcement of a further funding raise and the ERA moving into production.
The ERA is expected to take its maiden flight in 2027 with certification targeted for the end of the decade.
Aura Aero reveals new interior layout designs for its ERA aircraft
Showcasing the flexible use cases for its radical aircraft, Aura Aero has presented three potential configurations for its eco aircraft. As well as these flexible interior options, the ERA will also be available in a cargo configuration.
Announced at the AERO Friedrichshafen event being held in Germany from 22 to 25 April, Aura Aero said that the ERA cabin has been designed as a “true space for mobility, work, and relaxation. They added that the ERA cabin redefines the regional flight experience by “combining perceived comfort, operational flexibility, and environmental performance.”
Aura Aero also highlighted the sense of space on board. With no overhead luggage bins, room to stand, and large cabin windows, the ERA will offer a more comfortable cabin experience. Cabin baggage is stored at the front of the aircraft in dedicated areas of 70 cubic feet (two cubic meters).
As well as being capable of flying up to 900 nmi with an 80% reduction in carbon emissions, Aura Aero wants to ensure its aircraft is eco-concious on the inside too. It plans to use bio-based materials such as linen, basalt and cork, as well as other recycled materials, to improve the cabin’s overall environmental footprint while reducing weight.
Each seat will be equipped with USB-C charging ports, while Starlink internet connectivity is promised for passengers, enhancing the experience travelling on the ERA.
One hybrid-electric aircraft, three passenger layouts
In its eight-seat VIP lounge configuration, the ERA layout features four two-seat club sections, with each seat offering 23 inches of width. The rear section can be transformed into a lounge space with the seats converting into sofas.
Space for a self-service galley is also included, so that passengers can be catered for on the relatively short flights for which the ERA has been designed.
The nine-seat all business class version offers a 1-1 configuration and generous accomodation. The seats are 23 inches wide and boast 38 inches of pitch, making for a high end regional offering.
For operators wishing to use their ERA aircraft in a higher-density layout, the ERA can be configured to carry 16, 18, or 19 passengers depending on the customer’s needs. Designed to perform as a short-haul regional air shuttle, the economy layout has 17-inch seats with 29 inches of pitch.
However, for more spacious layouts, the 16-seat option allows the seat pitch to increase to 34 inches. Seats are arranged in a 2-1 layout, with either five or six rows along the cabin’s length.
ERA can also be a cargo carrier
Aura Aero is also making the ERA available in an all-freight version, with a cargo volume of 760 cubic feet (21 cubic meters). The aircraft will be able to accommodate either bulk cargo or standard pallets – either six US pallets or seven EU pallets.
The aircraft is planned to have a large access door to allow efficient cargo loading. The company notes that it would also be possible to have a mixed-use aircraft, thanks to the ease of access for removing and restoring the seating.
ERA is heading down the path towards certification
Aura Aero is pushing its ERA hybrid-electric regional aircraft into production after securing €340m of additional investment in early April. The funding package, which combines equity, public support and industrial financing, is intended to support both the continued development of ERA and the infrastructure required to produce it at scale.
Aura Aero executives have said that key technological elements of the aircraft have now been secured, with the programme entering a critical phase in which long-lead components are being prepared and final supplier selections are nearing completion.
To date, ERA has generated more than 700 purchase intentions, representing a potential backlog valued at around $12bn. Of these, 10 have now been converted into firm orders. The company is currently focused on converting its earliest partners, many of whom were involved in shaping the aircraft’s design, into confirmed customers.
To support production, Aura is developing parallel industrial footprints in Europe and the United States. A new facility in Toulouse will serve as the primary development and production hub, with capacity for around 100 ERA aircraft per year alongside 50 units of the company’s Integral training aircraft.
In parallel, a US facility in Florida will focus primarily on ERA production for the North American market, reflecting the region’s expected demand for regional aircraft.
Featured image: Aura Aero
