United Airlines has got out its chequebook again and has ordered 30 Embraer ERJ-175 Regional Jets, with options for 40 more aircraft.
Image rendering – United Airlines
The aircraft will operated by United Express with the exact operators of the aircraft “to be decided”.
The ERJ-175’s will be used to swap out existing “50 seat jet aircraft” in the United Express fleet.
In terms of configuration, United will be loading the planes with:
- 12 United First seats
- 16 Economy Plus seats
- 48 United Economy seats.
It goes without saying that compared to existing Embraer ERJ-145’s and Bombardier CRJ-200’s, there is a lot more space in the cabin for luggage and to move around in.
Deliveries are due to commence in 2014 through to 2015.
As airlines seek to improve costs, the 50 seat planes are the next target for replacement. With the 76 – 90 seat segment dominated by Embraer (with their ERJ-170, 175), Bombardier (with their CRJ-700, CRJ-900 and Dash8-Q400’s) and with minor competition from Sukhoi’s SuperJet 100, the Antonov An-148 and the upcoming Mitsubishi Regional Jet (that Trans-State Airlines and Skywest seem so keen on), there is still plenty of room in the market for airlines to choose replacement regional jet fleets.
Thumbs up to this decision – especially the 12 F seats!
I wish they would move back to main line UA jets. These RJs are just not comfortable. While the ERJ-175 is more comfortable and better equipped than the CRJ-200s that United runs out of cities like TUS, this is only a baby step towards providing a decent inflight experience