Regional Jet Resurgence Buttressed by United-Embraer Deal
United Airlines expects the first of 30 Embraer E175s to enter service with one of its regional affiliates early next year. (Image: Embraer)
United Airlines expects the first of 30 Embraer E175s to enter service with one of its regional affiliates early next year. (Image: Embraer)

Another sign of what Embraer CEO Frederico Curado has characterized as a resurgent regional jet market appeared last week, when United Airlines inked a firm order for 30 of the Brazilian manufacturer’s E175s. The deal, which includes options on another 40 of the 76-seat airplanes, marks the first move by United to exploit its newfound freedom to alter the composition of its regional jet network since its pilots agreed to relax the scope clause in their labor contract last December. Since then both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have committed to 76-seat regional jet flying as well, following similar modifications to the scope clauses in their pilot contracts.