Brazilian manufacturer Embraer is a big name when it comes to regional aircraft. It has produced more than 1,500 examples of its popular four-abreast E-Jet family. This series first flew in March 2004 with LOT Polish Airlines. In recent years, the company has developed the next generation of its E-Jets, known as the E2. But which airlines fly the most examples of these new aircraft?
The E-Jet E2 family in a nutshell
Embraer is producing three variants of its next-generation E-Jet E2 family. These will draw on the success of its existing models, while implementing new technology to enhance their performance. The smallest of these is the E175-E2, of which Embraer has currently produced just one test aircraft. It completed its first test flight in December 2019, but isn't expected to enter commercial service until 2023.
However, the larger E2 family members have already been gracing the skies for several years. Widerøe flew the first-ever commercial E2 flight when it launched the E190-E2 on April 24th, 2018. The E195-E2 is the family's largest variant, and Brazilian carrier Azul took delivery of the first of these in September 2019.
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Operators of the E190-E2
As we have established, Widerøe had the honor of launching the E2 series commercially in April 2018, with the E190-E2. However, it is not the largest operator of the type. According to Planespotters.net, that is a title held by Swiss regional airline Helvetic Airways. This carrier operates eight examples of the E190-E2, the last of which arrived just a week ago.
Next-highest in the admittedly fairly short list of E190-E2 operators is Kazakh flag carrier Air Astana. The airline flies five examples of the type, which are fitted with a two-class 108-seat configuration. Rounding off the podium in third place is launch customer and Norwegian regional carrier Widerøe, which has four E190-E2s. The fourth and final E190-E2 is arguably the most obscure, namely Air Kiribati. This Pacific Island carrier operates just one example.
Operators of the E195-E2
Planespotters.net lists a slightly wider variety of carriers when it comes to operators of the larger E195-E2. The largest of these is Azul which, having received the first examples 18 months ago, now operates nine E195-E2s. One of these bears a striking special livery that features macaw birds and is based on São Paulo's famous street graffiti.
The next-largest operator of the E195-E2 is Spanish regional carrier Binter Canarias. It received its first example in November 2019, and now operates four of the type. It received its fourth E195-E2 just last night, arriving in Las Palmas at 23:45, according to RadarBox.com.
Third place in terms of E195-E2 operators is a position shared by the type's remaining operators. Each of these three carriers has two examples of the type. KLM Cityhopper received both of its examples last month, one of which had an eventful start to life after a lightning strike in Berlin!
Elsewhere, private Nigerian carrier Air Peace has also received two E195-E2 aircraft since the turn of the year. These feature an innovative business class cabin that gives passengers direct aisle access through a staggered 2-2 configuration.
Finally, Belarussian flag carrier Belavia received an early Christmas present in the form of its first E195-E2 on December 21st, 2020. It continued the celebratory theme by receiving its second example on its 25th birthday last week! With plenty more orders in the bag, it will be interesting to see how the E2 series shakes up the regional market in years to come.
Have you ever flown on an Embraer E2 family aircraft? If so, with which carrier, and what was it like? Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments!