I went on board Embraer's next-generation rival to the Airbus A220. Look inside the regional jet that may never be used in the US.
Pete Syme
- Embraer showcased its new E195-E2 jet at the Farnborough Airshow in July.
- The E195-E2 features automatic takeoff and has orders from Porter Airlines and KLM.
The Brazilian firm Embraer has made a niche for itself in the regional airplane market.
American, Delta, and United's regional subsidiaries operate its E175 jets.
With a 2-2 configuration, there is no middle seat, unlike its main competitor, the Airbus A220.
At July's Farnborough Airshow, Embraer exhibited its newest jet, the E195-E2. It is set to include a pioneering new feature that lets it take off automatically.
The jet has received orders from Canadian Porter Airlines and KLM in the Netherlands, but a US airline has yet to become a customer.
The contract between US airlines and their pilots' unions limits the number of passengers a regional aircraft can carry, and the E2 jets exceed this.
Unless this scope clause is renegotiated, it's unlikely that the E2 would come to the US.
Embraer displayed an E195-E2 at July's Farnborough Airshow.
With a full load of passengers, the E195-E2 can fly for 2,600 nautical miles, which means that from Dallas, it could reach Venezuela, or just about get from Los Angeles to New York.
It has a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82, which is about 540 miles-per-hour at its altitude ceiling of 41,000 feet.
The planemaker also announced a pioneering automated takeoff technology for the E2 jets.
Automated landing systems have been used on commercial airliners since the 1960s, but an automated takeoff would be an industry first.
Embraer says it would require no pilot action to lift off from the runway, and that it produces more precise takeoffs and flight trajectories that could improve range by 400 miles.
However, it's up against difficult competition in the Airbus A220.
There have been nearly three times more orders for the A220 than for the Embraer E2.
The A220 began life as the Bombardier C-Series before Airbus acquired a majority stake in Bombardier in 2017.
Canada's Porter Airlines is the top customer for the E2, with 50 confirmed orders.
Other customers include Azul Brazilian Airlines, KLM, and Royal Jordanian Airways.
However, the E2 has no orders from the US — largely due to the scope clause.
The scope clause, part of the contract between airlines and pilots' unions, limits the number of passengers a regional aircraft can carry.
As the hard cap is 76 seats, US airlines can't fly the higher capacity E195-E2.
The clause is designed to limit the role of regional aircraft to prevent mainline carriers from outsourcing too many flying jobs to their smaller partner airlines.
Stepping on board, there were a few rows of premium seats at the front of the cabin.
In a three-class setup, the E195-E2 can seat 120 passengers according to the manufacturer.
Some of these were staggered so passengers could enjoy more space to themselves.
Embraer says premium seats have a 36-inch seat pitch — the distance between the same spot on one seat and the one in front.
The economy seats are also laid out in a 2-2 configuration.
The E195-E2 has a maximum capacity of 146 seats, with an extra three rows compared to the previous generation.
With no unpopular middle seats, this added comfort could be a key selling point.
By contrast, the A220 cabin is configured in a 2-3 layout.
The new E2 jets also have larger overhead bins.
This update allows every passenger to have hand luggage. It also opens flush to the ceiling, which speeds up the boarding process.
The legroom was also quite plentiful.
In a typical three-class setup of 120 seats, economy class has a 31-inch seat pitch. However, if an airline wanted to fit the maximum 146 seats instead, the seat pitch would be just 28 inches.
The E195-E2 is the largest aircraft that can operate out of London City Airport.
London City is a unique airport that was built on an old wharf in the British capital's docklands. Nearby is a financial district so it's convenient for business travelers. But the shorter runway and nearby skyscrapers mean only certain planes can land there.
But with the scope clause, the A220 is likely to maintain its market dominance.
In 2022, aviation outlet Leeham News reported that United Airlines wouldn't change the scope clause in its pilot contract as Embraer had hoped for.
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