What does "a bordo de" mean?

The phrase "a bordo de" translates to "on board" or "aboard." It is a prepositional phrase used to express being inside or travelling on a vehicle — including ships, aircraft, trains, buses, and cars. It can also appear figuratively in formal or journalistic contexts to mean being part of a mission or project.

Examples

1.
¿Estás a bordo del avión ya?
Are you on board the plane already? (presente de indicativo)
2.
Cuando era niño, siempre estaba a bordo del ferry con mi familia.
When I was a child, I was always on board the ferry with my family. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Estuvimos a bordo del barco durante tres horas.
We were on board the boat for three hours. (pretérito)
4.
Mañana estaremos a bordo del vuelo a las seis de la mañana.
Tomorrow we will be on board the flight at six in the morning. (futuro)
5.
Con gusto estaría a bordo de ese proyecto.
I would gladly be on board that project. (potencial simple)
6.
Espero que todos estén a bordo del autobús antes de las ocho.
I hope everyone is on board the bus before eight. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
El capitán pidió que todos estuviéramos a bordo antes de medianoche.
The captain asked that we all be on board before midnight. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
¿Has estado alguna vez a bordo de un crucero?
Have you ever been on board a cruise ship? (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Cuando llegué al aeropuerto, mi familia ya había subido a bordo sin mí.
When I arrived at the airport, my family had already boarded without me. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron estado a bordo, la tormenta comenzó.
As soon as they had boarded, the storm began. (pretérito anterior — literary/formal)
11.
Para cuando aterricemos, habremos pasado diez horas a bordo del avión.
By the time we land, we will have spent ten hours on board the plane. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Habría estado a bordo del vuelo, pero perdí la conexión.
I would have been on board the flight, but I missed the connection. (potencial compuesto)
13.
No creo que hayan estado a bordo del barco en condiciones tan malas.
I don't think they have been on board the boat in such bad conditions. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubiéramos estado a bordo del barco, habríamos visto los delfines.
If we had been on board the boat, we would have seen the dolphins. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Sube a bordo del tren antes de que salga!
Get on board the train before it leaves! (imperativo)