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The Embraer E-Jets are a series of narrowbody, twin-engined, medium range, jet airliners produced in Brazil. Announced at the Paris Air Show in 1999, and entering production in 2002, the aircraft have been a success - as of October 5 2007, there are 420 firm orders for E-jets and 756 options.[2] The manufacturer reports 300 units had been delivered by October 24 2007, and predicts that by the end of 2016, another 1,112 units will be delivered.[3]
Design and development
The Embraer E-Jets line is composed of two main commercial families and a business jet variant. The smaller E-170 and E-175 make up the base model aircraft, with the E-190 and E-195 being stretched versions, with different engines and larger wing and landing gear structures. The 170 and 175 share 95% commonality, as do the 190 and 195. The two families share near 89% commonality, with identical fuselage cross-sections and avionics, featuring the Honeywell Primus Epic EFIS suite.
Although commonly referred to with simply an "E" prefix, the jets are technically still Embraer Jets ("ERJ"s).[4] Embraer dropped the ERJ prefix in its advertising early in production. The E-190/195 series of aircraft have similar capacities to the initial versions of the DC-9 and Boeing 737, which have always been considered mainline airliners.
Passenger accommodation
Embraer E-Jets use four-abreast seating. On the E-170s operated by Republic Airlines for US Airways Express, seats are 18.25 inches wide, with 33 inch seat pitch.[5]
Variants
E-170/175
The E-170 family is the smaller of the two, competing with regional aircraft such as the Bombardier CRJ-700/900, Bombardier Q400 and the Sukhoi Superjet 100. It also replaces older aircraft such as the BAe-146 and Fokker 70. The 170 and 175 are powered with GE CF34-8E engines of 13,800 pounds (61.39 kN) thrust each.
The Embraer 170 was the first version produced. The prototype was rolled out on 29 October 2001, with first flight 119 days later on February 19. The aircraft was displayed to the public in May 2002 at the Regional Airline Association convention. After a positive response from the airline community, Embraer proceeded with the launch of the stretched E-175 in June 2003. Certification for the 170 took nearly 2 years after the public debut; delivery of the first aircraft to the launch customer LOT Polish Airlines[citation needed] was in March 2004.
As of 2006, the E-170 is operated in the United States by Delta Connection, US Airways Express, Frontier JetExpress and United Express, with flights being operated for them by Shuttle America and Republic Airlines. Asia's first operator was Hong Kong Express Airways with a fleet of 4 Embraer 170s.
- Embraer 170 (or ERJ 170-100) - In August 2006 111 Embraer 170 aircraft (all variants) remain in airline service, with 30 orders. Major operators include: LOT Polish Airlines (10), Republic Airlines (28) and Shuttle America (45). Six airlines operate the type in smaller numbers.[6] In September 2006, EgyptAir announced that it will place a firm order of 6 airplanes with an option for another 6 for its newly launched subsidiary, EgyptAir Express. These Embraer 170 aircraft will be used to fly to domestic and regional destinations.
- Embraer 175 (or ERJ 170-200) - In August 2006, 20 Embraer 175-200LR aircraft were in airline service, with 68 further orders. Major operators include Air Canada with 15 aircraft and LOT Polish Airlines with 18 aircraft[citation needed]. Major firm orders include 30 aircraft for Republic Airlines and 36 aircraft for Compass Airlines (a subsidiary of Northwest Airlines).[6] India-based Paramount Airways has ordered ten 86-seater Embraer 175s.
E-190/195
The E-190 family is a larger stretch of the E-170 model fitted with a new, larger wing and a new engine, the GE CF34-10E, rated at 18,500 lb (82.30 kN). Being in the 100-seat range, it competes with smaller jets including the Bombardier CRJ-1000, Boeing 717-200 and 737-600 as well as the Airbus A318.[citation needed]
The first flight of the E-190 was in March of 2004, with the first flight of the 195 in December of the same year. The launch customer of the E-190 was New York-based low cost carrier JetBlue with 100 orders and 100 options. European low cost carrier flybe is launching the E-195 with 14 orders and 12 options.[citation needed]
As the 190/195 family is of mainline aircraft size, many airlines will operate them as such, fitting them with a business class section and operating them themselves, instead of having them flown by a commuter airline partner.[citation needed]
- Embraer 190 (or ERJ 190-100) - In August 2006, 36 Embraer 190 aircraft (all variants) are in airline service, with 249 orders. Operators include: Air Canada with 36 aircraft (and 9 firm orders) and JetBlue Airways with 27 aircraft (and 80 firm orders). Other orders include 57 aircraft for US Airways.[6] Hainan Airlines is to order 50 ERJ-190s, becoming the largest customer in China.
- Embraer 195 (or ERJ 190-200) - In August 2006, there were 36 orders for the Embraer 195 aircraft (all variants), from Royal Jordanian (7), Flybe (14) and Swiss International Air Lines. Flybe has taken delivery of the first Embraer 195 Jets (15).[6] Five are on order for Indian Paramount Airways.
Embraer Lineage 1000
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On 2 May 2006 Embraer announced plans for the business jet variant of the E-190. This would have the same structure as the E-190, but with an extended range of up to 4,200 nm, and luxury seating for up to 19.
Embraer C-390
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Main article: Embraer C-390
The technology developed for Embraer's E-jets will be incorporated in a future military transport aircraft called C-390.
Operational history
- The largest single order for any type of E-Jets has come from JetBlue with 100 orders for the E-190, and options for 100 more.[7]
- Régional became the first European operator of the Embraer 190 on 23 November 2006 when the first of six on order was delivered.[8]
- Kenya Airways has an order for 3 Embraer 170 jets to be leased through GECAS. Delivery is to start in the second quarter of 2007 and be completed in mid 2008. The 170 will replace a pair of Saab 340 turboprops serving domestic short haul routes.[9]
- SkyAirWorld, the first Australian operator, has taken delivery of its first E170 from Hong Kong Express in March 2007, with an additional 5 aircraft on order next year (4 E190 and 1 E170). From 1 May 2007, SkyAirWorld will operate an E170 on behalf of Solomon Airlines on flights from Honiara to Brisbane, Espiritu Santo and Nadi[10][11]
- EgyptAir Express, the regional subsidiary of the Egyptian national carrier, EgyptAir, launched operations in June 2007 with the arrival of the first of 6 Embraer 170. All 6 will be delivered before October 2007, when the 6 options are expected to be converted to firm orders for either the Embraer 190 or 195[citation needed].
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