I flew on Embraer's E190-E2 jet that competes with the popular Airbus A220 and I think the quiet and comfortable plane is underrated
Embraer E-2.Taylor Rains/Insider
- Embraer's next-generation E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets are the world's quietest aircraft.
- The planes compete with the Airbus A220 family, boasting better performance and operating costs.
Brazilian planemaker Embraer is taking on Airbus and Boeing in building next-generation aircraft.
Embraer E195-E2 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider
The manufacturer's latest series of E-jets, including the E175-E2, the E190-E2, and the E195-E2, launched in 2013 at the Paris Air Show.
KLM Cityhopper E190-E2. Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock
The effort comes as airlines seek modern, more fuel-efficient planes that reduce costs, like Boeing's 737 MAX family and Airbus A320neo series aircraft.
Boeing 737 MAX 10. Taylor Rains/Insider
In 2016, the E190-E2 was the first variant in the new E-2 family to take flight. Norway's Widerøe Airlines later launched the plane's inaugural passenger flight in 2018.
Widerøe Airlines' first E190 E-2. Embraer
The larger E195-E2 flew with Brazilian carrier Azul Linhas Aereas for the first time in 2019. Other carriers, like Swiss-based Helvetic Airways and Nigeria-based Air Peace, also operate the jet.
Azul's first E195-E2. Embraer
Source: Embraer, Air Data News
However, production of the E175-E2, which is the smallest model, has temporarily paused due to "ongoing US mainline scope clause discussions with the pilot unions regarding the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) limitation for aircraft for up to 76 seats."
Illustration of Embraer's E175-E2. Embraer
Source: AirInsight Group
Despite the E175-E2's halt, Embraer is pushing forward with its E190/195-E2 aircraft, believing they offer the perfect combination of capacity and potential fuel savings that airline customers want.
Air Astana snow leopard E190-E2. Oleksandr Naumenko/Shutterstock
The E-2 jets have been designed to tackle the sub-150-passenger market, with the E-190-E2 carrying up to 114 people in a single-class configuration or up to 97 in three classes.
Embraer E190-E2 Tech Shark cabin. Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Embraer
Meanwhile, the E195-E2 can carry up to 146 passengers in an all-economy layout or 120 in a three-class configuration.
Embraer E195-E2 cabin. Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Embraer
The E-2 series directly competes with Airbus' popular A220 jet. The planemaker's smallest variant — the A220-100 — can carry between 100 and 120 passengers in a two-class configuration…
SWISS A220-100. Conny Pokorny/Shutterstock
Source: Airbus
…while the larger A220-300 can carry between 120 and 150 passengers in two classes.
Delta Air Lines
Source: Airbus
For airlines that want to squeeze in as many seats as possible, the A220 jets can carry up to 135 and 160 people, respectively, in an all-economy configuration.
Delta Air Lines
Source: Airbus
While Embraer hoped its new series of E-2 planes would be a hit with airlines, it has been underselling. As of July 2022, the manufacturer has only amassed about 270 orders for the E190/E195-E2.
Embraer E190-E2. CV Grinsven/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Source: Insider
The most recent order announcement was from Canadian carrier Porter Airlines, which announced its purchase for 20 E195-E2s at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022 in July, bringing its total orders to 50.
Porter Airlines Embraer E195-E2. Porter Airlines
On the other hand, the A220 family has garnered over 750 orders as of August 2022, with Delta Air Lines as the largest operator with 56 currently in service.
Delta Air Lines
Source: Airbus, Insider, Delta Air Lines
One main factor pushing airlines to choose the A220 over an E-2 plane is its range.
Taylor Rains/Insider
The A220-100 offers a range of up to 6,390 kilometers (3,970 miles), while the A220-300 offers a 6,297-kilometer (3,913 miles) range.
Breeze Airways' inaugural A220 taking off from Richmond. Breeze Airways
Source: Airbus
By comparison, the E190-E2 and E195-E2 jets offer a 5,278-kilometer (3,280 miles) range and a 4,815-kilometer (2,992 miles) range, respectively. Both A220 models beat out the E-2 jets by at least 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).
Embraer SAF flight. Embraer
Source: Embraer
The A220's range gives operators more flexibility on long-haul routes, like Breeze Airways, which has opted for the A220 for its transcontinental network.
Breeze Airways A220. Breeze Airways
However, Embraer argues its E-2 family can fly most of the routes that the A220 is flying now. But, this would require potentially removing seats, lowering the jet's capacity and possible earnings.
Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Insider
This may have turned airlines like Breeze away from the E-2, but carriers like Porter, which already equips its Dash 8 planes with the world's lightest aircraft seat, may not have a problem pushing the jet to its limits.
Porter Airlines Dash 8 interior. Porter Airlines
Source: Porter Airlines
So far, only foreign airlines, like Brazilian carrier Azul and Dutch airline KLM Cityhopper have opted for the E-2 jet, with US carriers, including JetBlue Airways, Delta, and Breeze, preferring to invest in the A220.
Flying on a JetBlue Airways Airbus A220-300. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Despite its lower range, the E-2 aircraft shines in terms of capacity, fuel savings, and noise. The family currently holds the title of the quietest single-aisle jets in production.
Helvetic E190-E2. Michael Derrer Fuchs/Shutterstock
I flew on the E190-E2 at the Farnborough International Air Show 2022 to see what passengers can expect and if the E-2 series lives up to expectations — take a look.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
Wrapped in a unique "Tech Shark" livery and dubbed the "Profit Hunter," the E190-E2 proved to have a nice, modern cabin.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
There was plenty of overhead bin space that could fit full-size carry-ons…
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
…and the lavatories were spacious.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The demonstrator jet was configured in a 2x2 all-economy configuration with 104 seats of varying pitches to show the different layouts that could be achieved.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The exit row on this particular jet offered 39 inches of pitch, while standard and extra-legroom seats offered between 29 and 34 inches.
Flying on Embraer's E190 -E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
Meanwhile, the 2x2 configuration means no one will be stuck in the dreaded middle seat.
Embraer E190-E2 Tech Shark cabin. Taylor Rains/Insider
The A220, by comparison, is configured in a 2x3 layout, meaning a handful of passengers will get assigned the middle.
Delta Air Lines
Trying out the different seats, the ones with 29-30 inches of pitch were cramped, as expected. However, considering the plane will mostly fly short, regional routes, the minimal legroom shouldn't be too much of a burden.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
But, if you find yourself flying on an E190-E2 in the future and want more space, opt for an extra-legroom seat, especially if you're tall. I'm only 5'3" and on the smaller side, so I fit in most airline seats.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The E-2 jets can also be equipped with a uniquely staggered first class seat made by Embraer, though it was not onboard the E190-E2 I flew on.
Embraer E195-E2 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider
A mockup of the seat was on display on the Embraer’s E195-E2 at the Farnborough air show. The seat was extremely spacious with 54 inches of pitch, and the staggered design gives window-seat passengers easier access to the aisle.
Embraer E195-E2 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider
However, the layout could allow travelers to look over each other's shoulder, reducing privacy, but Bordais told Insider that that has not been a complaint during testing.
Embraer E195-E2 at the Farnborough International Airshow. Taylor Rains/Insider
While the E190-E2 cabin was nice, it mirrored other regional planes I've been on, like the first-generation E-jets or the Bombardier CRJ700/900. So, I was not immediately wowed when I boarded.
American Airlines Embraer 175. Taylor Rains/Insider
However, it was the aircraft's performance that stood out.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The takeoff from Farnborough Airport was extremely quiet, which was a nice change from the loud screeching I've experienced on older generation planes.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
I could hear the conversations in front and behind me, which is not something I've noticed before.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
According to Embraer, the E-2 jet's Pratt & Whitney GTF engines reduce its noise by 11% compared to the A220, which is also equipped with the same engine type.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
Luís Carlos Affonso, Embraer's head of engineering and technology development, told Simple Flying that noise reduction also promotes efficiency. "Noise is energy," he said. "If you're making a noise, you're wasting energy. A quiet plane is an efficient plane."
Flying on Embraer's E190 -E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
Source: Simple Flying
For example, Embraer has created covers for the E-2's landing gear during flight. This reduces noise, and, in turn, lowers fuel burn and overall operating costs.
Embraer E-2 landing gear covers. Embraer
Source: Insider
The wheels on prior models were exposed, increasing noise, according to the planemaker.
Embraer E-2 landing gear covers. Embraer
Source: Insider
The E-2's cockpit also got an upgrade, boasting four large high-definition display screens. This compares to the six screens on the first-generation E-jets.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The screens can display airport maps, charts, and other pertinent information to give pilots better situational awareness.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
The screens are the primary difference between the old and new generation E-jets, meaning the E190/195-E2's flight deck is nearly identical to its predecessors.
A first-generation Embraer E175 cockpit. Taylor Rains/Insider
Similar cockpits allow airlines to save on pilot training because the type ratings are the same. Crews will just need to complete a "difference training" course, according to Bordais.
Flying on Embraer's E190 -E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
Overall, my flight on the E195-E2 jet was a surprisingly calm and relaxing experience. The minimal noise made it easier to enjoy the ride, and the 2x2 configuration ensures passengers will avoid the middle seat.
Flying on Embraer's E190 -E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
However, I see how its low range can be a dealbreaker for airlines, forcing them to choose the A220 or other competing jets. But the E-2's underrated performance and economics could attract more customers despite its rocky start.
Flying on Embraer's E190-E2 Tech Shark aircraft. Taylor Rains/Insider
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