Tag Archives: Embraer ERJ 175

Mesa Airlines expands its E175 agreement with United Airlines

Mesa Airlines, Inc. (Phoenix) has announced the expansion of its agreement with United Airlines (Chicago) to operate three additional Embraer 175 aircraft, bringing the total number of United Express aircraft operated by Mesa to 68. In October, the Company announced an agreement for the addition of 15 new aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2016, which has now increased to 18. Mesa currently operates 30 Embraer E175 aircraft and 20 Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft under the United Express brand.

The E175’s 76-seat dual-class configuration features 12 First-Class, 16 Premium Economy and 48 Coach seats. The aircraft has Inflight Wi-Fi connectivity, leather seating and electric outlets in First Class.

Mesa Airlines currently operates as American Eagle from hubs in Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth and as United Express from Washington Dulles and Houston. Founded on a mesa in New Mexico in 1982 by Larry and Janie Risley, Mesa currently operates 115 aircraft, with more than 530 daily system departures to 103 cities, 38 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and Mexico.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N84307 (msn 17000419) departs from United’s Washington Dulles International Airport hub.

United Express-Mesa aircraft slide show:

SkyWest reports a 3Q net profit of $36 million

SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines) (St. George, Utah) today reported financial and operating results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015.

SkyWest generated $36 million of net income for Q3 2015, or $0.71 per diluted share. Excluding special items, SkyWest’s net income for Q3 2014 was approximately $26 million, or $0.50 per diluted share.

Operating income for Q3 2015 was $78 million, an increase of 32% from Q3 2014 of $59 million.

SkyWest reported $77 million of net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, or $1.49 per diluted share, a $88 million improvement from the corresponding period of 2014, which had net loss of $11 million, excluding 2014 special items.

Commenting on the results, Chip Childs, SkyWest, Inc. President said, “Our third quarter results reflect continued progress in the optimization of our fleet and flying contract mix. These improvements, along with solid operating performance, have contributed to our increasing operating margins. Additionally, we look forward to operating the E175 aircraft with three of our major partners by mid-2016, and we believe our operating performance continues to create additional opportunities to improve our fleet mix and operating margins.”

Fleet Information:

Total aircraft in service at September 30, 2015 was 656, a net decrease of 84 aircraft from September 30, 2014 of 740 aircraft. Changes in SkyWest’s fleet mix are as follows:

Added 26 new E175 aircraft with United Airlines (“United”)
Added three new E175 aircraft with Alaska Airlines (“Alaska”)
Added twelve used CRJ200 aircraft with Delta Air Lines (“Delta”)
Added 16 used ERJ145 aircraft with American Airlines (“American”)

Combined, 57 aircraft were added year-over-year

Removed 36 EMB120 30-seat turbo-prop aircraft (“EMB120s”) from multiple partners
Removed 69 ERJ145/135 aircraft from service from United
Removed 36 CRJ200 aircraft from service with multiple partners

Combined, 141 aircraft were removed year-over-year

SkyWest’s aircraft in service decreased by 20 net aircraft from June 30, 2015 to September 30, 2015, with changes in fleet mix as follows:

Added five new E175 aircraft with United
Removed eleven ERJ145 aircraft from service with United
Removed 14 CRJ200 aircraft from service from multiple major airline partners

Under its fleet transition, SkyWest generated approximately 24,800 additional block hours with its dual class aircraft (CRJ700s/900s and E175s) during Q3 2015, compared to Q3 2014.

SkyWest also had a reduction of approximately 89,000 block hours with its less profitable 50-seat and smaller aircraft (CRJ200s, ERJ145s/135s and EMB120s) during Q3 2015, compared to Q3 2014.

Under an agreement announced in Q3 2015, SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to place 18 additional new E175 aircraft into service with United, with anticipated scheduled delivery dates from Q4 2016 to Q2 2017. SkyWest Airlines is currently scheduled to have a total of 58 E175s in service with United by the end of Q2 2017.

Under a previously announced agreement, SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of twelve new E175 aircraft for Alaska from Q4 2015 to Q4 2016. SkyWest is currently scheduled to have a total of 15 E175s in service with Alaska by the end of Q4 2016.

Under an agreement announced last week, SkyWest Airlines is scheduled to take delivery of 19 new E175 aircraft for Delta from Q3 2016 through mid-2017.

The following reflects expected E175 aircraft that SkyWest anticipates will be placed into service by period:
Airline Q4 2015 2016 2017   Cumulative Total End of 2017
United – 7 11 58
Delta –   13 6 19
Alaska   2   10 –   15
Total 2   30 17

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines is already operating the Embraer 175 for Alaska Airlines. Alaska Skywest-titled Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N170SY (msn 17000483) taxies at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Alaska SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings disputes Delta’s complaint

Republic Airways Holdings (Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has issued this statement disputing a reported lawsuit by Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) claiming the carrier failed to fly its full contracted schedule according to the Indianapolis Business Journal:

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. has been made aware of a complaint filed by Delta. The Company has not been served and has not received the full complaint and therefore cannot comment further on the matter at this time. Republic can confirm that the Company is not in breach of any of its capacity purchase agreements with any of its mainline partners, including both Delta Connection Agreements.

Republic Airways Holdings Inc., based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is an airline holding company that owns Republic Airlines and Shuttle America, collectively called “the airlines.” The airlines operate a combined fleet of about 240 aircraft and offer scheduled passenger service with approximately 1,250 flights daily to about 100 cities in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean through fixed-fee flights operated under our major airline partner brands of American Eagle, Delta Connection, United Express and US Airways Express. The airlines currently employ about 6,500 aviation professionals.

Copyright Photo: Keith Burton/AirlinersGallery.com. Shuttle America Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N202JQ (msn 17000240) in Delta Connection colors climbs away from Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Delta Connection-Shuttle America aircraft slide show:

American to add three routes from New York LaGuardia, returns to normal operations after computer problems

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) on January 5, 2016 is adding daily American Eagle Embraer 175 regional jet service from New York (LaGuardia) to Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The carrier is also resuming service from LGA to Minneapolis/St. Paul on the same date per Airline Route.

In other news, AA is inserting the new Airbus A321-200 on the Miami – Guayaquil route starting on June 2, 2016.

Finally American today is returning to normal operations after “computer issues” delayed departures at three hubs yesterday. The airline issued this statement on Twitter:

We’ve resolved connectivity issues that caused challenges at DFW, ORD and MIA. We’re sorry and will have you on your way soon.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N405YX (msn 17000368) approaches the runway at Dulles International Airport.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

United Airlines boosts in-flight entertainment with more content on more aircraft

United Airlines (Chicago) has announced “complimentary personal device entertainment is now available on regional jet aircraft”. The in-flight entertainment offerings now includes expanded HBO content, Vevo videos and concerts. The company issued these further details:
United Airlines is continuing the expansion of its “United Private Screening” in-flight entertainment with the launch of free personal device entertainment on two-cabin United Express regional jets; expanded HBO programming; and exclusively curated content from Vevo, the world’s leading all-premium music video and entertainment platform.

United currently has one of the largest offerings of free streaming entertainment – already on more than 200 United aircraft – with scores of television shows and movies available for streaming directly to travelers’ laptop computers and iOS and Android mobile devices.

Customers on flights with personal device entertainment may enjoy popular films like “Birdman,” “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” and the “Taken” trilogy, as well as kid-friendly favorites such as “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” and “The LEGO Movie.” Hours of popular television shows are also available and may include HBO’s “Veep” and “The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst,” as well as “Mad Men,” “Orange is the New Black” and other hit shows.

Above Photo: United Airlines.

Regional Jet Entertainment and Onboard Experience

United has begun rolling out personal device entertainment on its fleet of more than 120 Wi-Fi-equipped United Express Embraer E170, E175 (above) and Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets, with more than half of these aircraft now offering free streaming entertainment. The airline plans to offer the service on all Wi-Fi-equipped regional jets by the end of next week.

The launch of personal device entertainment on regional jets follows United’s introduction this year of an all-new premium-cabin experience on United Express, featuring freshly prepared meals served on chinaware on regional jet flights of at least 800 miles.

Expanded HBO Content

Additionally, the airline has expanded HBO content on aircraft that offer personal device entertainment as well as on those with seatback on-demand entertainment. Available HBO entertainment includes full seasons of popular television shows such as “Entourage,” “Game of Thrones” and “True Detective.”

Videos and Concert Entertainment from Vevo

United has also joined with Vevo to offer hundreds of music videos and concert performances for customers to view at no charge on United aircraft offering personal device entertainment. Vevo content is also available through seatback on-demand entertainment.

Tribeca Film Festival

Meanwhile, United is in its second year as the official airline of the Tribeca Film Festival. Flights with live television, seatback on-demand entertainment and personal device entertainment offer unique in-flight content curated by Tribeca, including independent feature narratives and documentaries as well as short films.

Tablet Rentals

This summer, United also launched a pilot program offering tablets for rent on Boeing 777 flights between the continental United States and Honolulu and between Honolulu and Guam. The 8.4-inch tablets contain stored entertainment, including television shows, movies and games.

In-flight Entertainment Availability

United aircraft offer several in-flight entertainment options, with Wi-Fi also available on 85 percent of mainline aircraft and regional jets receiving the technology. In addition:

United plans to install personal device entertainment on more than 650 mainline and regional aircraft, including its intercontinental fleet;
The airline operates more than 200 intercontinental and p.s. Premium Service aircraft with seatback on-demand entertainment; and
Another 227 mainline aircraft offer live television, more than any other airline in the world.
Customers may learn before departure which entertainment option will be available by checking their flight status at united.com or via the United mobile app.

Top Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (E175) N86322 (msn 17000465) prepares to land at Toronto’s Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ).

United Express-Mesa Airlines aircraft slide show:

Republic Airways Holdings reports preliminary 2Q results, will reduce contract flying

Republic Airways Holdings Inc. (Republic Airlines 2nd and Shuttle America) (Indianapolis) has announced its preliminary second quarter 2015 financial results. The company also gave guidance from its perspective on the on-going contract negotiations with its pilots, represented by the IBT. The company also warned of possible operational disruptions (see below – the highlights are mine)

Preliminary Second Quarter 2015 Results

The Company expects to report second quarter net income of $4.0 to $5.0 million or $0.08 to $0.10 per diluted share, and pretax margins of 2.5% to 3.0% on operating revenues of $338 to $340 million. The second quarter results were negatively impacted by, among other factors, an operation that produced approximately 4% fewer block hours than forecasted due to the ongoing operational disruption caused by regulatory changes and further intensified by our ongoing pilot labor dispute.

National Pilot Shortage and Labor Dispute Continue to Disrupt Operations

The Airline Safety and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Extension Act of 2010 directed the FAA to enact significant regulatory changes. The law had several elements, one of which was a change to pilot qualification standards that became effective on August 1, 2013, adding new requirements for first officers to hold an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate, requiring additional training and a minimum 1,500 hours total flight time as a pilot. Previously, first officers were required to have only a commercial pilot certificate, which required 250 hours of flight time before beginning an FAA approved commercial airline training program. Another element of the law required the FAA to implement more restrictive limits on pilot flight and duty times. The new limits became effective on January 1, 2014 and immediately had the effect of reducing pilot productivity 5-7%, further exacerbating the growing pilot shortage.

The Company’s ongoing labor dispute with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT), the union which represents the bargaining rights of all Republic pilots, is further amplifying our pilot staffing challenges. The IBT and the Company are currently negotiating under the supervision of the National Mediation Board for an amended collective bargaining agreement. Since April 2015, limited progress has been made in the negotiations due to the IBT’s unrealistic and unsustainable demands. The Company has presented a comprehensive proposal to the IBT that would place our pilots ahead of their peers in the regional airline industry for both compensation and work rules. The lack of a new agreement for our pilots requires the Company to maintain its below market contract and is contributing to increased levels of attrition and an inability for the Company to attract new pilots.

Due to the IBT’s unrealistic bargaining position, the Company cannot predict with any certainty a timeline for resolution. As a result, the Company anticipates continued operational disruption related to the ongoing labor dispute and the growing national pilot labor shortage. The Company has initiated discussions with our mainline partners to take the necessary actions to both temporarily and permanently reduce scheduled flying commitments for the remainder of 2015 and the first half of 2016.

In light of the anticipated fleet reductions, the Company is rescinding all previously issued financial and operational guidance.

On July 9, 2015, the IBT filed suit against the Company alleging that the Company unilaterally increased compensation for its pilots and new hire pilots in violation of the Railway Labor Act. We believe the suit is completely without merit, and the Company will take appropriate steps to respond.

The Company is exploring all of its options to mitigate any adverse impact from these matters and restore its operational and financial performance to normal levels. The Company has engaged Seabury Group as an advisor to assist in these efforts.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. From this statement, it is unclear which mainline partner contracts could be reduced creating opportunities for other carriers. In the case of Shuttle America, it flies Embraer aircraft for both Delta and United. Shuttle America’s Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N209JQ (msn 17000258) approaches the runway at Washington’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) in Delta Connection colors.

Delta Connection-Shuttle America aircraft slide show:

Current Combined Route Map (click to expand):

SkyWest today starts operating Embraer ERJ 175s for Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) today inaugurates service between Seattle/Tacoma and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Seattle/Tacoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Portland, Oregon and St. Louis.

The daily flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines (St. George) with 76-seat Embraer E175 jets (above and below) featuring 12 seats in first class and 64 in coach, and boasting cabin dimensions on par with a 737.

Photo Above: Alaska Airlines.

Onboard amenities will include Alaska Beyond Delicious, featuring food and beverages sourced with items from iconic Pacific Northwest brands, and Inflight Internet access. By mid-July the planes will also be equipped with Alaska Beyond Entertainment, which offers free and premium entertainment direct to customer devices, First class customers will also enjoy power outlets at each seat.

In other news, Alaska Airlines has also announced it is doing away with the standard fee for the first checked bag for Alaska Airlines Visa Signature consumer cardholders.

Top Copyright Photo: Raul Sepulveda/AirlinersGallery.com. The pictured SkyWest Airlines Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N171SY (msn 17000485) was delivered via San Juan.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show:

Alaska SkyWest aircraft slide show:

SkyWest Airlines orders eight additional Embraer 175s for Alaska Airlines

Embraer S.A. and SkyWest, Inc. (SkyWest Airlines) (St. George, Utah) have announced today at the 51st International Paris Air Show, a firm order for eight E175 jets. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest Airlines under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with Alaska Airlines as Alaska SkyWest. The value of the contract, which will be included in Embraer’s 2015 second-quarter backlog, is estimated at $355 million based on 2015 list prices.

Embraer issued this statement:

This is the second agreement between SkyWest and Alaska Airlines involving the E175. In November of last year, the two companies signed a CPA for seven aircraft of the same model. The first airplane in Alaska Airlines livery enters service next month.

These eight new aircraft are part of SkyWest’s previous order for 100 (40 firm and 60 reconfirmable) E175 current generation E-Jets – with an additional 100 options – placed in May 2013. This reconfirmation brings the total number of firm orders to 55 aircraft. The E175s for Alaska Airlines will be configured with 76 seats and include 12 First Class seats. Delivery for the additional eight E-Jets is scheduled for 2016.

SkyWest is the largest regional airline group in the world and is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. Both companies have long histories with Embraer and were early customers for the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft. In a separate deal with Embraer announced in June of 2013, SkyWest became the launch customer for the E175-E2, ordering 100 aircraft with 100 additional options. Deliveries begin in 2020.

Alaska Airlines also issued this statement:

SkyWest Airlines announced today that they will purchase eight new, dual-class Embraer E175 jets to fly for Alaska Airlines. The new planes, to be delivered in 2016, will replace eight older regional jets SkyWest currently flies for the Seattle-based carrier.

The announcement comes the same month SkyWest takes ownership of the first of seven E175s purchased last fall to be flown for Alaska under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA). The regional carrier will begin flying the planes for Alaska on July 1 with the start of new service from Seattle to both Milwaukee and Oklahoma City, and between Portland, Oregon and St. Louis.

The 76-seat E175 jet will feature 12 seats in first class and 64 in coach. Onboard amenities include Alaska Beyond Entertainment featuring free short subject videos and movies and TV shows for purchase direct to customer devices. Inflight Internet access is also available, as well as Alaska Beyond Delicious which offers Pacific Northwest-inspired food and beverages. Additionally, customers seated in first class will enjoy 110 volt power in every seat.

SkyWest expects to retire its current Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets fleet flying for Alaska by the fall of 2016.

United Airlines orders 10 additional Embraer 175s

Embraer S.A. (São José dos Campos) announced today at the 51st International Paris Air Show an agreement with United Airlines (Chicago) to add additional E175 jets to the United Express fleet. The agreement consists of ten firm orders, which will be included in Embraer’s 2015 second-quarter backlog. Additionally, Embraer expects that United or one of the carriers that operates as United Express will convert options for 18 aircraft to firm orders in the near term. The ten firm orders have an estimated value of $444 million based on current list price.

Delivery of the first of these aircraft is expected in 2016. The E175s are configured in a dual class 76-seat layout and will operate under the United Express brand. The carrier’s 76-seat jet fleet will be comprised exclusively of E175s. This latest acquisition is in addition to a previous order from United Airlines for 30 E175s in April 2013.

United’s E175 will be equipped with a 12 First class, 16 Economy Plus Seats, and 48 Economy seats. Wi-Fi will also be included.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4% lower than first-generation E175s. In North America, the E175 is the preferred aircraft of carriers operating 76-seat jets. In the last two years, the E175 has captured over 80% of orders among aircraft in its class from airlines in the USA.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N110SY (msn 17000405) departs from Washington (Reagan National).

United Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery):

United Express-SkyWest aircraft slide show:

American introduces the Embraer 175 to the Los Angeles market today

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today (June 4) is introducing the 76-seat Embraer 175 (ERJ 175) to the Los Angeles market specifically on the Los Angeles – Vancouver route.

The airline issued this statement today:

American Airlines continues to elevate the flying experience for its customers with more comfort and choice by adding the new two-class Embraer 175 (E175) to its twice-daily, nonstop American Eagle service between two of the world’s most important markets for the entertainment industry – Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

Beginning on June 4, 2015, these large 76-seat regional jets will offer customers a more seamless transition between American and American Eagle service, including first-class seating, inflight Wi-Fi and more overhead bin space to accommodate larger carry-on bags.

Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) will operate the E175s on this route.

Photo Above: American Airlines.

The E175 aircraft features a two-class configuration with 12 First Class seats; 20 seats in Main Cabin Extra, offering up to six inches of more leg room; and 44 seats in the Main Cabin. The E175 features Wi-Fi for customers who want to stay connected on their personal devices during flight. Additional modern amenities include leather seating and in-seat power in all cabins. American has firm orders for 60 E175s with options for 90 more and expects 20 of these new E175s to eventually be based out of LAX as new deliveries continue.

Top Copyright Photo: Mark Durbin/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Compass Airlines, Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N201NN (msn 17000461) taxies at San Francisco International Airport.