Embraer E-Jet Modernization Tweaks Detailed

Embraer will offer cabin features of its E2 range into the E175 E1 widely used by US regional carriers.

Improvements announced Tuesday include installing larger overhead bin design from the E2 onto the E175 E1. These enable each passenger to put a single standard wheeled bag above their seats.

The E2’s cabin mood lighting will also be incorporated on the E175 E1, “another feature customers have been asking for,” Embraer commercial aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer said. New Recaro seats will also be installed.

The aircraft will gain the capability to use geostationary and low-Earth orbit satellite connectivity, using Ka and Ku-band, via a new-generation lightweight electronic antenna. There will also be avionics enhancements and a new-generation weather radar.

Changes were also announced for the E190 and E195 E2. A 2.5% improvement in fuel burn will be achieved through a combination of several measures, including taking less bleed from the engines. However, the 2.5% measure is to some extent merely formalizing what Embraer says its customers have been telling it for some time: that the officially claimed 17.5% improvement in fuel burn over the previous-generation E190/195 was conservative.

An extra row of seats will also be added to the E190/195 E2. While some space savings have been found at the front and rear of the cabin, the installation of the extra row will result in reduced seat pitch throughout the aircraft.

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