Virgin Blue Orders 20 Embraer E-Jets

[needaholiday]

News just released form the ASX, Vrigin Blue has ordered 20 Embraer E-Jets worth A$950 Million.

More to follow shortly....

 

[NM]

The order is for 11 Embraer E190 aircraft and 3 Embraer E170 aircraft. They also hold options for a further 6, making the reported 20 aircraft.

No word on routes at this time.

 

[clifford]

Sounds like a false step to me.

Check out Jetblue's experiences with these beasts and does anyone remember Ansett's CRJ's?

Good luck to them anyway.

 

[maninblack]

I have read a bit about the Jetblue issues with the Embraer, they don't seem to be all that drastic. As for Ansett, what problems did they have with the CRJ? After all, in the end Ansett demonstrated that they weren't fully fit to operate any sort of aircraft. (sorry but true)

Prefer the CRJ (not been on the Embraer) to a Dash 8.

 

[Shano]

Prefer the CRJ (not been on the Embraer) to a Dash 8.

I also prefer the CRJ to the Dash 8, with the Embraer being on par with the CRJ, IMHO

 

[NM]

And the Embraer seems to be the current choice for small jet by most airlines. Bombardier have just announced they will be slowing production on the CRJ line due to slow sales, while Embraer are ramping up. The E-series jets are a generation later than the CRJs, being more efficient, quieter etc.

 

[needaholiday]

I flew on a previous generation BMI EMB145 LBA - CDG last year.
The cabin was cramped with tight headroom, they collected any carry on luggage larger than a small handbag at the bottom of the fold out airstairs and stowed it in the hold. It seemed funny that they didn't police this at check in as often happens on smaller planes like the Saab 340. My clearest recollection was feeling very low to the ground and on take-off it felt like a rocket ship, was great fun - felt really fast.

 

[crazydave98]

I flew on a previous generation BMI EMB145 LBA - CDG last year.
The cabin was cramped with tight headroom, they collected any carry on luggage larger than a small handbag at the bottom of the fold out airstairs and stowed it in the hold.

The ERJ145 is a totally different aircraft with different application - comparing it to the E190 is like comparing an A320 to an A330. See this link for external views Embraer - Empresa Brasileira de Aeronáutica S.A. and more information at Embraer Commercial Jets
I thought the attached diagram comparing the cross-sections of the CRJ (which is same as Crash8) to the E-Jets might be of interest too.
cheers
CrazyDave

 

[NM]

I flew on a previous generation BMI EMB145 LBA - CDG last year.
The cabin was cramped with tight headroom, they collected any carry on luggage larger than a small handbag at the bottom of the fold out airstairs and stowed it in the hold. It seemed funny that they didn't police this at check in as often happens on smaller planes like the Saab 340. My clearest recollection was feeling very low to the ground and on take-off it felt like a rocket ship, was great fun - felt really fast.

I think you will find the E-series jets (E170, E190) are larger than the 145 types. But these are regional jets and are always going to be smaller inside than a 737. But they will be more spacious than a Dash-8.

If I have to fly a route that is too thin to be serviced by a 737, I would prefer an E170/E190 over a CRJ, EMB145 or Dash-8.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

If I have to fly a route that is too thin to be serviced by a 737, I would prefer an E170/E190 over a CRJ, EMB145 or Dash-8.

Agreed - and prefer all of these over S340, SF3, 1900D or J32.

 

[dajop]

If I have to fly a route that is too thin to be serviced by a 737, I would prefer an E170/E190 over a CRJ, EMB145 or Dash-8.

From the sounds of the press release of DJ, with wider seats the E170/E190s are to going to be preferable to flying in a 737 (which is pretty cramped when full). Then again, if it wasn't for the slower speed, I'd certainly prefer to fly in a Dash 8 than the current sardine can domestic 737 configurations anyway (... unless in J..)

 

[needaholiday]

After looking at the website the E-Jets are completely different to the 145's, and look very roomy and comfortable inside, and given their recent development should be quiet & effecient.

http://www.embraercommercialjets.com/english/inc/df.asp?Caminho=ejets/doc/Brochure_170Family.pdf

 

[ColinP]

I flew on a previous generation BMI EMB145 LBA - CDG last year.
The cabin was cramped with tight headroom, they collected any carry on luggage larger than a small handbag at the bottom of the fold out airstairs and stowed it in the hold. It seemed funny that they didn't police this at check in as often happens on smaller planes like the Saab 340. My clearest recollection was feeling very low to the ground and on take-off it felt like a rocket ship, was great fun - felt really fast.

As others have pointed out, there is no comparison. crazydave's PDF compares a CRJ with an E190 and the difference is obvious. However the difference between an ERJ145 and an E190 is even more stark. The ERJ is 45cm narrower than the CRJ and a full 64cm narrower than the 190.
The headroom in an ERJ is 182 cm a CRJ is 189 cm and the E190's headroom is a full 2 metres.
I hope that crazydave can tell us that they've ordered the 32" seat pitch version and not the 31" version. (pigs might fly)

EDIT ----- WOOPS! -- posted this before reading #12


--------------------

 

[JohnK]

If I have to fly a route that is too thin to be serviced by a 737, I would prefer an E170/E190 over a CRJ, EMB145 or Dash-8.

How anyone been on an EMB120 (EM2)? How does this compare to the EMB145? I guess you could not really compare it to the newer models.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Not sure, I'd have to check. I have flown both E145 and newer models.

 

[jaxjax]

I remember flying in the CRJs when AN downgraded the LST-MEL run from BAe146s and/or 727s (á la QF flying Crash 8s on the same route now :evil.

The problem wasn't with the leg room. I couldn't sit in the window seat due to the curvature of the fuselage, I'd end up with a crook neck. From the look of the height of these Embraers, I doubt this would problem.

Maybe DJ intends to do the same and use these jets on the shorter routes and increase the frequency?

jaX

 

[jazzamcc]

Here's a picture of the E170 in DJ's colours.

Here is a picture of the interior of an E170 of US Airways Express.