American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth), a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group Inc., announced today that it has signed agreements with Bombardier Inc. and Embraer S.A. to purchase 90 new 76-seat regional jets. Consistent with American’s Plan of Reorganization and Merger Agreement, these aircraft will provide much improved economics for the airline as they will replace smaller, less efficient 50-seat regional aircraft scheduled for retirement.

American has firm orders for 30 Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen aircraft, with options for up to 40 more. The CRJ900s will have 12 First Class, 32 Main Cabin Extra and 32 Main Cabin seats, and the firm order of CRJ900 aircraft will be operated on behalf of American by PSA Airlines, Inc. (2nd) (Dayton), a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways. American expects to begin taking delivery of the CRJ900s in the second quarter of 2014.

American also has firm orders for 60 Embraer ERJ 175 type aircraft with options for up to 90 more. They will feature 12 First Class, 20 Main Cabin Extra and 44 Main Cabin seats, and American expects to begin taking delivery in the first quarter of 2015. The company will determine which regional carrier will fly the E175s at a later date. Both the CRJ900 and the E175 will fly in the American Eagle livery.

Both the CRJ900 and the E175 are powered by General Electric CF34-8 engines. “GE Aviation has enjoyed a strong relationship with American Airlines and US Airways. We are thrilled to be part of the fleet renewal program underway following the merger,” said Allen Paxson, general manager of the Regional Engines and Services at GE Aviation.

The pilots of PSA Airlines, represented by ALPA, issued this statement on this news:

“The pilots of PSA Airlines, a wholly owned subsidiary of US Airways, welcome the news of American Airlines’ purchase of 30 CRJ900s as an important and exciting step forward for PSA. This firm order fulfills the pledge made to us in a letter of commitment our pilots ratified in September.

“When PSA pilots voted on our new contract in March, and on subsequent agreements, we had to make some difficult decisions. As a result, we preserved core provisions in our contract and improved pilots’ job security here at PSA and career progression to our mainline partner. Today’s announcement of a new aircraft order, coupled with our first scheduled seniority-based interviews at US Airways, prove that our tough decisions have borne fruit.

“While we acknowledge that the planned delivery schedule of these new aircraft is ambitious, the pilots of PSA stand ready to work with our managements to protect and improve our airline and our futures as an integral part of the new American Airlines.”

Copyright Photo: TMK Photography/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines (2nd) currently is the only Embraer ERJ 175 operator for American Airlines. ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N401YX (msn 17000363) taxies at Toronto (Pearson).

American Airlines: 

US Airways Express-PSA Airlines: 

American Eagle-Republic: