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.
September 7, 20240
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.
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.
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.
By contrast, the A220 cabin is configured in a 2-3 layout.
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.
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.