LATAM Airlines Brasil’s first Embraer E195-E2 has entered a new stage of final assembly at Embraer’s production facility, according to a social media post by the airline’s chief executive, Jerome Cadier.
Cadier said the aircraft has received its wings, a milestone that marks one of the final major structural stages before systems installation and testing.
“Seeing our first E195-E2 taking shape, already painted in LATAM colors, is a source of enormous pride,” Cadier wrote on LinkedIn.
The executive noted that the aircraft had already completed fuselage joining and painting, describing the latter as unusual compared with some other manufacturers, where painting typically takes place later in the assembly process. The E195-E2 fleet will also introduce a revised LATAM livery featuring larger titles and new engine markings.
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According to Cadier, the current phase includes the installation of the wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, landing gear, flight-control systems and part of the aircraft’s wiring.
The next stage will involve fitting the engines, cockpit, passenger cabin and electronic systems ahead of ground and flight testing. Cadier said the aircraft will move through four different hangars during the remainder of the assembly process.
“This is when all the internal elements are installed, including the cockpit, passenger cabin, engines and electronic systems,” he said.
New routes
LATAM personnel are also stationed at the plant to monitor production progress. Cadier said the airline’s technical team follows a 53-item inspection checklist before authorizing the aircraft to advance to each subsequent stage of assembly.
LATAM announced an order for 24 E195-E2s in September 2025, alongside 50 purchase options. Deliveries are scheduled to begin before the end of this year.
The E195-E2 will become the smallest aircraft type in LATAM’s fleet, below the Airbus A319, which is currently deployed on lower-demand domestic routes.
The introduction of the E2 is expected to give LATAM access to markets that are less suited to larger Airbus A320-family aircraft. With 136 seats, the E195-E2 offers lower trip costs and improved fuel efficiency compared with older narrowbody aircraft in the same segment.
The move echoes a strategy employed by Brazilian rival Azul during its early years, when it used Embraer regional jets to develop secondary routes and thinner markets across Brazil.
In recent months, LATAM has also stepped up recruitment of pilots with Embraer experience, particularly E-Jet-qualified crews, as it prepares for the aircraft’s entry into service. The hiring campaign has intensified competition for pilots in Brazil, where Azul operates the country's largest Embraer E-Jet fleet.
