Do you want the Aston Martin DB11 interior or the Bentley Bacalar in your whirlybird?
Before, the only option was the Aston Martin, but now there’s a Bentley in the air.
Next weekend, Flexjet is showcasing its new Sikorsky S-76 helicopter with an interior inspired by the Bentley Mulliner Bacalar. The fractional air provider chose the Bacalar because Bentley only manufactured 12 of these open-air performance cars, with a different interior for each. Flexjet also has a matching Bentley interior on one of its Gulfstream G650s.
The S-76’s interior has the same intricate patterns in the seats as the Bentley. Courtesy Flexjet
The company will be displaying the S-76 at The Quail, a Motorsports Gathering on August 19th at the Quail Lodge and Golf Club. It’s part of a marketing move to get Flexjet’s new private helicopter division in front of what it sees as the right audience.
Flexjet launched its helicopter division for “last-mile” connections between private airports to final destinations like Midtown Manhattan. It will have seasonal locations of its helicopters in the Northeast and Florida.
The inspiration: The Bacalar’s interior. Courtesy Bentley
The design team went all out with interior details like a wood veneer that matches the 5,000-year-old river wood used on the console of the Bacalar, and a silver-green chameleon color for the livery that replaces the typical Flexjet red-gold chameleon paint. The copperhead shape of the Bacalar’s white-leather seating also inspired the captain’s seats on the S-76 and Gulfstream G650.
CEO Michael Silvestro said the Bacalar interior and livery colors will only be used on one S-76 and one G650.
The leatherwork on the Aston Martin ACH130 was inspired by its DB11. Courtesy ACH
Flexjet is not the only aviation firm with a luxury car connection. Aston Martin and Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) have been working together for three years on an DB11-inspired ACH130 helicopter. The first was delivered to a North American client this year. The special edition is available in four interior and exterior designs.
The seats and doors are upholstered in supple leather, with coordinating ultra-suede covering the rest of the cabin. The rear of each front seat also has the same brogue detailing in the DB11. The ACH130’s liveries also have gradient paint, with a contrasting underbelly, to give it ramp appeal, even on takeoff. The concept was so popular that the first series of 15 sold out, so a second series is now in the works.
