Quirky niche carrier BermudAir is more than doubling its fleet capacity, as the airline is taking delivery of two Embraer jets. The first of these aircraft has just been delivered to the airline, so it has some exciting implications for the carrier.
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BermudAir adds more Embraer jets to fleet
In August 2023, we saw the launch of BermudAir, an airline operating flights between Bermuda (BDA) and other points in North America, including in the United States and Canada. The airline launched operations with two used Embraer E175s.
The company is now expanding its fleet, as BermudAir is taking delivery of two new Embraer E190s. The first of these has just been delivered to the airline, and the next one will be delivered in June 2025.
While the carrier’s current E175s each boast 70 seats, the E190s will feature 96 seats. Compared to the E175, the E190 also has extra cargo capacity of roughly 1,000 kilograms, plus an extra 1,000 kilometers of range.
BermudAir plans to use its third aircraft as a dedicated spare and on-demand charter aircraft, while the airline plans to use the fourth aircraft to increase frequencies to existing markets, and to expand into new markets.
One thing I find interesting is that it looks like the Embraer E190 has a “proper” business class product, unlike the E175. Looking at the seat map for the E190, you’ll see a cabin in a 1-2 configuration. This is much better than on the E175, where business class just consists of economy seats with blocked adjacent seats. I suppose that’s a function of which airline the aircraft was inherited from.
BermudAir currently flies to Baltimore (BWI), Boston (BOS), Charleston (CHS), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Halifax (YHZ), Hartford (BDL), Orlando (MCO), Raleigh-Durham (RDU), and Toronto (YYZ). Furthermore, the airline will shortly be adding flights to Montreal (YUL), Providence (PVD), and Richmond (RIC).
Here’s how BermudAir CEO Adam Scott describes this fleet development:
“We are very proud to be doubling our fleet size to enhance our operational capabilities and providing the greatest level of operational resiliency of any airline with a dedicated spare aircraft always on standby. The addition of both our third and fourth aircraft is not only a key step in mitigating operational challenges and enabling continued operational excellence, but this growth enables us to bolster our flight frequencies and to provide increased flexibility in our flight scheduling.”
I’m still not sure what to make of BermudAir
BermudAir is going on nearly two years of operations now, and I’m still not sure what exactly to make of the airline. Keep in mind that when the airline was first announced, the plan was to introduce an all-business class experience, with some unique seats in a 1-1 configuration.
But the airline then totally backtracked, and now the airline sells business class and economy. However, in reality, business class on the two first aircraft simply consists of a pair of economy seats with better service, so it’s not exactly a “true” premium experience.
Simply connecting Bermuda with other destinations in North America seems rather niche to me. Admittedly the airline probably has a great cost structure, between lower aircraft leasing costs (due to picking up used regional jets), plus presumably lower labor costs. But is the airline actually achieving decent load factors and average fares?
I’m curious if the company is actually already turning a (mild) profit, if it’s losing a little bit of money, or if it’s losing a lot of money, but is somehow painting a very rosy picture of the future, with a more scaled operation.
Bottom line
BermudAir is significantly expanding its fleet, as the airline is taking delivery of two Embraer E190 aircraft. The first of these aircraft has just joined the fleet, and another aircraft should join the fleet in June 2025.
The plan is to use one aircraft as a spare and for charter services, while using the other aircraft for an expansion. I’m not sure what exactly to make of this airline, though it’s certainly one of the more unusual airlines we’ve seen launched in recent years…
What do you make of BermudAir’s expansion?
I wonder if the Bermudan government forces BermudAir to hire a certain percentage of locals to man their flights. I’ve stayed at the newer St Regis there several years apart and their service did not improve the second visit due to continued staffing shortages. I was told of the situation being each hotel is required to hire a certain percentage (being 50%) of locals and that Marriott Corp was begging the government to be less...
I wonder if the Bermudan government forces BermudAir to hire a certain percentage of locals to man their flights. I’ve stayed at the newer St Regis there several years apart and their service did not improve the second visit due to continued staffing shortages. I was told of the situation being each hotel is required to hire a certain percentage (being 50%) of locals and that Marriott Corp was begging the government to be less xenophobic. Curious if their airline is the same. Half of the pilots are Bermudian?
Do you think the Bermuda government might subsidize them? Great way to boost tourism.
Icelandair-like model could work for them, no? For one-stop service between Americas and Europe, with a Bermuda stopover program?
No.
The world is not flat.
Bermuda is only "on the way to Europe" if you're starting from Florida.
I've heard from friends who have flown with them that their flights were mostly full.
Bermudair seems to offer a good experience, even in Economy with proper glasses/mugs for drinks and some good locally made snacks and sweets. They seem to be like Porter. Most reviews I have seen of the airline are very positive, with some having experienced IROPS or glitches with their system which left a bad impression, but those issues seem...
I've heard from friends who have flown with them that their flights were mostly full.
Bermudair seems to offer a good experience, even in Economy with proper glasses/mugs for drinks and some good locally made snacks and sweets. They seem to be like Porter. Most reviews I have seen of the airline are very positive, with some having experienced IROPS or glitches with their system which left a bad impression, but those issues seem to have gone away now. And their fares are cheaper or equal to other airlines in the flights I have searched for (in Economy), but they most definetly have lower costs compared to American and have a much better experience.
@Ben - It would be awesome to get a review of them. Perhaps Economy one-way and Business on the way back? It would be a nice weekend getaway to Bermuda for you and the fam ;)