Typically I go out of my way to avoid regional jets. They’re loud, tight, require you to gate-check your bag, sometimes don’t have first class, etc. However, there’s one regional jet I love — the Embraer E175 (perhaps more accurately, the entire family of Embraer jets, as I like the Embraer E190, etc., as well, but just don’t fly them as much).
I most frequently fly the Embraer E175 on American Eagle, and I think I almost prefer the plane to American’s domestic mainline fleet. Why?
No middle seats on the entire plane
There aren’t really any bad seats on the Embraer jets, as there are no middle seats. This is great if you’re traveling with someone, since you can have a window and aisle. Not only that, but the seats are over 18″ wide, making them among the widest economy seats you’ll find on any plane.
Speaking of economy seats on this aircraft, the bulkhead economy seats on the Embraer E175 might just be the best economy seats you’ll find anywhere. They have virtually unlimited legroom, and in some ways might just offer more space than first class. Keep in mind there’s even a trick to snagging these last minute.
Great ratio of first class seats
This of course varies by airline, but American Eagle’s Embraer E175s have a fantastic ratio of first class seats (and the same is true on most airlines). The planes have a total of 76 seats, and 12 of those are first class seats, representing ~16% of the overall capacity.
Compare that to American’s Boeing 737s (the carrier’s most common plane), which have 172 seats, with 16 first class seats, representing ~9% of the overall capacity. Upgrade chances don’t get much better than on the Embraer E175, thanks to the percentage of first class seats.
For those curious, there’s a reason that there are so many first class seats. American mainline pilots have a scope clause that limits the regional jet flying that airlines can do. Regional jets flying for American’s subsidiaries are capped at having 76 seats — that’s exactly how many seats American Eagle Embraer E175s have, including the large first class cabin and extra legroom economy cabin. In an all-economy configuration, the jet could comfortably have 88 seats.
Single first class seats
As someone who loves looking out the window but also likes having access to the aisle, this is something I value. While economy on the Embraer E175 is in a 2-2 configuration, first class is in a 1-2 configuration. If you’re lucky, you can snag one of the solo first class seats and have both a window and an aisle.
Big windows
This might sound minor to some, but continuing on the above, I love looking out windows. Many regional jets have small windows that aren’t even at eye-level. The Embraer E175 has huge windows (at least they feel that way) at the perfect level. I feel like they’re bigger than on typical Airbus or Boeing narrow bodies, though perhaps that’s an illusion. At a minimum, they’re certainly wider.
Feels like a big jet
In terms of the passenger experience, the Embraer feels more like a big jet than a regional jet. You don’t have to crouch when walking down the aisle, the seats and aisle are wide, the overhead bins are big enough to store full size carry-ons, the plane is fairly quiet, the engines are under the wings, etc.
While the CRJ-700 is about the same size, it does very much feel like a regional jet. If you’re someone who usually gets claustrophobic in regional jets, the Embraer E175 may be the plane for you.
Bottom line
It’s always a joy to fly Embraer jets. They’re comfortable, regardless of whether you’re in economy or first class, and I don’t even mind them for long stretches.
As someone who frequently flies American Eagle Embraer E175s, my only frustration is that Wi-Fi on the planes is slower than on the mainline fleet. The good news is that American will soon upgrade regional jet Wi-Fi. Other than that, I’ll almost take an Embraer E175 over an Airbus A320 or Boeing 737.
Anyone else love Embraer jets as much as I do?
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