American Airlines has received its first Embraer E175 equipped at the factory with a new cabin standard, while deliveries continue under a major order placed with the Brazilian manufacturer.
Embraer delivered the aircraft on Monday with new-generation Recaro seats. The manufacturer says the slimline design provides more personal space and knee room without reducing cushion comfort.
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American said the new seats are intended to make the cabin experience on regional flights more consistent with that of its mainline aircraft. The company is also updating E170s, E175s, CRJ700s and CRJ900s already used on American Eagle services.
The program, announced in 2025, includes cabin changes, power at the seats and high-speed Wi-Fi. American has not said that E175s already in service will receive the same Recaro seats installed on new aircraft.
Fleet approaching 250 E175s
American Eagle is the brand used for the airline's regional services. Flights are operated by American subsidiaries Envoy Air, PSA Airlines and Piedmont Airlines and by contracted carriers Republic Airways and SkyWest Airlines.
The E175 is the most numerous E-Jet in this operation. Planespotters.net lists 246 aircraft with American Eagle operators, plus 59 E170s.
The number will rise under an order American placed in 2024 for 90 E175s, with purchase rights for another 43. The aircraft have 76 seats in two classes, a configuration that meets the limits established by the scope clause in the airline's pilot agreement.
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Envoy announced in 2025 that it would receive another 33 E175s in 2026 and 2027. SkyWest also plans to put 11 new E175s into American Eagle service during the same period to replace CRJ700s.
More E175s, fewer 50-seat jets
The new aircraft are part of American's plan to replace smaller regional jets. The airline expects to remove its remaining single-class, 50-seat aircraft by the end of the decade and operate only two-class jets on American Eagle services.
American says its future regional fleet will have premium seats, high-speed Wi-Fi and in-seat power. The strategy also increases the share of 76-seat aircraft as smaller Embraer ERJ-145s leave the fleet.
The E175-E2, developed as the smallest member of Embraer's E2 family, remains outside the US regional market. Embraer suspended its development in 2022 after US scope clauses continued to prevent the heavier aircraft from replacing the E175 at regional carriers.
The manufacturer has since introduced updates for the E175. Embraer says these include enhanced data connectivity and a new-generation weather radar, alongside the cabin changes now offered on newly built aircraft.
