e175

United Airlines has entered into an agreement with Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer for the purchase of 30 Embraer 175 regional jets for the United Express fleet, with options for an additional 40 of the same model.

The deal, including the optional order, is estimated to be valued at $2.9bn based on the current list prices.

Embraer Commercial Aviation president and CEO Paulo Cesar Silva said this order from United validates the company’s investment strategy in the E-Jets, where it offers an optimised product with all of the additional benefits of a proven and mature platform.

"With this order for the new enhanced E175 jet, we are delighted to reinforce and extend our long-standing partnership with United Airlines, which was the ERJ 145 launch customer back in 1996, known at that time as Continental Airlines," Silva added.

United’s vice chairman and chief revenue officer Jim Compton added: "With a large first-class cabin, wider fuselage, and larger overhead bins, this aircraft brings an improved regional flying experience to our customers."

The new E175s, which will be operated under the United Express brand, will be configured in a 76-seat layout, and the first aircraft is expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2014.

United was formed following the merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines in 2010.

"This aircraft brings an improved regional flying experience to our customers."

The partnership between Embraer and United started with the sale of EMB 120 Brasilia turboprops to Continental Airlines in the 1980s.

In addition, Continental was the launch customer for ERJ 145 jetliner, eventually purchasing 275 jets, the largest ERJ fleet in the world.

Currently, United’s regional partners operate 38 E170s under the United Express brand.

To date, more than 150 E175s are in service with 12 carriers worldwide.

Embraer stated that it would continue to invest in the E-Jets line, which is operated by some 60 airlines from 40 countries globally.

The company has started implementing a series of improvements to the current generation of E-Jets, including new wing-tips, systems optimisation and aerodynamic refinements that are expected to boost fuel efficiency by 5%.

Image: The new E175s will be operated under the United Express brand, with the first aircraft expected to be delivered in the first quarter of 2014. Photo: courtesy of Embraer SA.

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