Embraer (São José dos Campos) yesterday (March 27) delivered, in a ceremony held at the Company’s headquarters, in São José dos Campos, the first dual-class 76-seat Embraer 175 (ERJ 175) to SkyWest Inc. (SkyWest Airlines) (St. George, Utah). The aircraft is part of the firm order signed by the airline last year, for 40 E175 aircraft. SkyWest Airlines will operate the aircraft as an United Express carrier for United Airlines. The E175s are configured in a dual-class 76-seat layout.

An additional 60 orders are reconfirmable, subject to SkyWest being awarded Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) contracts with major U.S. airline partners. The agreement between SkyWest and Embraer also includes options for another 100 E175s, taking the potential total order up to 200 airplanes.

In a separate deal with Embraer, SkyWest became the launch customer of the E175-E2, ordering 100 aircraft with 100 additional options, for deliveries beginning in 2020.

SkyWest is the largest regional airline group in the world and is the parent company of SkyWest Airlines and ExpressJet Airlines. Both companies have long histories with Embraer and were early customers for the Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia turboprop aircraft. More than 40 EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft currently fly in the SkyWest Airlines network, primarily in the western United States. ExpressJet Airlines operates 251 aircraft of the ERJ 145 family and is the largest ERJ operator in the world.

The new type is due to enter revenue service on May 17, 2014 on the Chicago (O’Hare)-Washington (Reagan National) route.

Copyright Photo: Embraer.

United Express-SkyWest: 

Routes operated as United Express:

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) has introduced an Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) registered as SP-LIE (msn 17000153) in a 1945 retro paint scheme. This livery was used by company from 1945 through 1973.

According to LOT, “On the interior walls are mounted vintage photos and posters”.

Copyright Photo: LOT Polish Airlines.

LOT Polish Airlines: 

United Airlines (Chicago) has released additional new Embraer 175 United Express routes and schedules as reported by Airline Route. This is in addition to the other previously released E175 schedules.

From Chicago (O’Hare) hub to:

Austin, Texas (effective July 1)

From Houston (Bush Intercontinental) hub to:

Toronto (Pearson) (July 15)

Calgary (August 19)

From the San Francisco hub to:

St. Louis (September 20)

eff 20SEP14 San Francisco – St. Louis

The new type will be introduced from the Chicago (O’Hare) hub to Washington (Reagan National) starting on May 17.

United Airlines (current): 

United Airlines (Chicago) has introduced the Embraer 175 aircraft to the United Express fleet, with service on the regional jet operating between Chicago (O’Hare) and the top business markets of Washington (Reagan National) and Boston (Logan).

United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah) began Boston service today (May 19). Service between Chicago (O’Hare) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport began on Saturday (May 17). The E175 flights complement existing United service in those markets.

The 76-seat E175 regional jet is the newest addition to the United Express fleet, enabling the airline to offer an improved regional jet experience. With 12 seats in United First, 16 seats in United Economy Plus and 48 seats in United Economy, the E175 offers more personal space for customers, with wider seats and aisles than other regional aircraft. Each United First seat features a power outlet. The aircraft’s large overhead bins can accommodate standard-sized carry-on bags, resulting in more convenience for customers.

United will offer E175 in several additional markets beginning in June, complementing existing United services:

Chicago O’Hare-Minneapolis /St. Paul, beginning June 5
Chicago O’Hare-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston Bush Intercontinental-Atlanta, beginning June 15
Houston Bush Intercontinental-New Orleans, beginning June 15
Chicago O’Hare-New York LaGuardia, beginning June 23
San Francisco-St. Louis, beginning September 20
San Francisco-Austin, beginning October 26
San Francisco-Dallas/Fort Worth, beginning October 26
San Francisco-Minneapolis/ St. Paul, beginning October 26

SkyWest Airlines will operate the services to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport and to and from San Francisco International Airport. Mesa Airlines will operate the flights to and from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

United expects to introduce 70 E175 aircraft into the United Express fleet by the end of 2015. As United inducts new aircraft into the fleet, the airline will remove smaller, less efficient regional aircraft from the fleet. The E175s consume less fuel per seat and have fewer CO2 emissions per seat than the aircraft they replace.

Copyright Photo: United Airlines.

United Airlines (current): 

United Express-SkyWest Airlines: 

Flybe (Exeter) has announced it will operate two new routes from Birmingham Airport this winter namely a daily service to Hamburg and Oslo from October 26, 2014 through to March 27, 2015 with Embraer 175s.

Already Birmingham Airport’s largest carrier, the airline has also announced (May 20, 2014) that, due to early successes, it will extend to year-round on six of the new routes it is operating this summer. Flybe will continue to operate up to 28 weekly flights to Cologne, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Florence and Oporto with frequency aimed to provide convenience for business travellers and those passengers wanting a short break on the continent. Due to the popularity of its summer twilight flights to Reykjavik, it’s also moving this three times a week service to daytime flying, also with effect from October 26.

The move is estimated to result in Flybe carrying an additional 100,000 passengers a year at Birmingham Airport. Altogether, it’s another exciting week for Flybe in Birmingham as its last four remaining inaugural flights for summer take off to Newquay, Bordeaux, Palma and Toulouse.

In total, Flybe will operate up to 350 flights a week from Birmingham on 26 routes as part of its 2014-15 winter schedule.

Copyright Photo: Rob Skinkis/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-100STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJA (msn 17000326) arrives in Manchester.

Flybe: 

Routes from Birmingham:

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will re-institute Dallas/Fort Worth-Los Angeles service on November 3. The restored route will be operated as a Delta Connection route with Embraer 175s according to Airline Route.

In addition, Delta continues to add feeder and long-range routes to the Seattle/Tacoma market in addition to what has already been reported. According to Airline Route, the carrier will add three new routes on December 20 adding further competition to Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma): Bozeman, Montana (ERJ 175), Kahului, Maui, Hawaii (757) and Los Cabos, Mexico (A319).

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N608CZ (msn 17000195) of Compass Airlines taxies from the gate at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Delta Air Lines (current): 

Delta Connection-Compass Airlines: 

LOT Polish Airlines (Warsaw) is introducing new “Economy Plus” and “Economy Simple” fare groups to remain competitive against low-fare airlines. The airline just issued this statement:

In June LOT is introducing new Economy Plus class of service in short and medium haul aircraft and LOT Economy Simple tariffs providing discounts of up to 30 percent off normal economy fares.

Passengers traveling in LOT Economy Plus will enjoy a business product for an economy price. They will have a dedicated hotline number, check-in desk, priority baggage and boarding service as well as a dedicated bus when the aircraft cannot be accessed from a jet bridge at Warsaw airport. On board, these passengers will have a choice of meals, beverages and alcoholic drinks just as in business class. They will sit in the front of the aircraft and obtain more miles in the frequent flyer program than before. Premium Economy passengers traveling on long-haul flights will connect to flights in Europe in LOT’s Economy Plus Class.

LOT has also prepared a special, simple and low-cost tariff called LOT Economy Simple created for the short-haul passengers who want to decide for themselves what services to use and when the fare price is the lowest. Ticket prices are 30 percent lower than in standard economy class. With a LOT Economy Simple ticket, a passenger has the option for online or airport check-in and while on board, served a drink and a sweet snack plus score frequent-flyer miles.This tariff is mainly for leisure travellers traveling only with their cabin luggage.To check luggage, there will be charged PLN 60 ($20) extra.In normal economy class, checked luggage is still free.

A ticket in LOT Economy Simple starts at PLN 199 ($65).For example, flights to Brussels are 30 percent off PLN 439 ($144) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 638 ($210) in Economy; to London 29 percent off PLN 499 ($164) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 705 ($232) in Economy and to Paris 24 percent off PLN 449 ($148) in Economy Simple vs. PLN 458 ($151) in Economy.

These new developments are another step in implementing the Restructuring Plan.In the past year, the airline focused primarily on cutting costs, looking for savings and beginning to improve the quality of the product and service standards.

“We significantly improved our results in the past year, but cutting costs alone is not enough,” said Sebastian Mikosz, CEO LOT Polish Airlines. “To achieve sustainable profitability, LOT has to grow and take better care of its passengers, by expanding the portfolio, offering better comfort and a broader range of optional services.”

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) SP-LIE (msn 17000153) in the 1945 retrojet scheme taxies at Zurich.

LOT Polish Airlines: 

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) starting on November 2 will offer daily nonstop Los Angeles-Monterrey, Mexico Delta Connection Embraer 175 jet service according to Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Subsidiary Compass Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N610CZ (msn 17000198) departs from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Delta Connection/Compass: 

Delta Air Lines (current): 

Video: According to Delta: “Hop on the Delta Shuttle® between Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco at your convenience—flights depart all day long and are available with First Class and Economy Comfort™ seating options.

You’ll enjoy complimentary LUVO™ snacks, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. craft beer, wine, spirits, Starbucks® coffee, exclusive check-in, priority security and more.*

*A portion of travel for some itineraries may be on the Delta Connection® carrier Compass Airlines dba Delta Shuttle.”

United Airlines (Chicago) will add additional Embraer 175 flights from the San Francisco hub in the fall. In addition to the previously-reported routes, United will add United Express service from SFO with the new E175 flights to Boise (starting on September 30), Calgary (September 21), Dallas/Fort Worth (October 26), Kansas City (October 26), St. Louis (September 20) and Salt Lake City (October 26) per Airline Route.

The SFO flights are expected to be operated by SkyWest Airlines.

SkyWest Airlines operated its E175 inaugural flight, operating as United Express, from Chicago O’Hare to Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 17. According to SkyWest, “the milestone represented a tremendous amount of preparation and hard work by many SkyWest employees during the last 15 months.”

Within the next two years, SkyWest will take delivery of 40 new E175s that will operate under an agreement with United Airlines.

According to the airline, “the E175 is the fifth aircraft type in SkyWest’s current fleet, and from full-sized cargo-bins to larger aisles and seats, it’s filled with enhanced features that will help ensure every passenger enjoys a comfortable, convenient flight.”

From Houston, E175 service on flights between the hub at George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Atlanta and New Orleans begins on June 15, and between Houston and Austin starting on June 16. United also launched E175 service between Chicago O’Hare and Minneapolis/St. Paul on June 5; between Chicago O’Hare and Atlanta beginning on June 15; and between Chicago O’Hare and New York LaGuardia beginning on June 23.

United Express carrier Mesa Airlines will operate the flights between Houston and Atlanta, Austin and New Orleans. United Express carrier SkyWest Airlines will operate the flights between Chicago and Atlanta, New York LaGuardia and Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Copyright Photo: United Airlines.

Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul) has announced it will operate 20 new 76-seat Embraer ERJ 175 aircraft owned by American Airlines, Inc.

Compass expects to begin taking delivery of the aircraft and start scheduled service under the American Eagle brand and livery in the first quarter of 2015. The agreement also provides American the option to place additional E175 aircraft it owns with Compass in the future.

American Airlines, a subsidiary of American Airlines Group Inc. (Dallas/Fort Worth), announced in December 2013 it had signed agreements with Embraer S.A. to purchase 60 new 76-seat E175 regional jets, with options for up to 90 additional aircraft. With continued new aircraft deliveries over the next several years, American will have one of the most modern and efficient fleets in the industry.

The addition of these 20 American aircraft will increase the fleet size of Compass Airlines to 62 aircraft, all of which are either Embraer E175 or E170 aircraft.

The new E175s will offer American Airlines customers a more seamless transition from mainline to regional flights with 12 First Class seats, 20 Main Cabin Extra seats offering additional legroom and 44 seats in the Main Cabin. The aircraft will also feature modern cabin elements including in-flight Wi-Fi, full-size overhead bins, more spacious lavatories, leather seats and adjustable headrests. Powered by General Electric CF34 engines, the E175 also is one of the most fuel efficient 76-seat aircraft in the market today.

Compass Airlines, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Trans States Holdings, Inc. Compass Airlines began commercial service in May 2007 as a NWA Airlink carrier with a mission to provide safe, reliable, cost-effective and customer-friendly service to the passengers it serves. Compass currently has more than 1,200 employees operating 36 Embraer E175 and six Embraer E170 aircraft as a Delta Connection carrier from its Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and Detroit (DTW) hubs, as well as a maintenance facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Compass currently serves 57 cities, operates approximately 200 daily flights, and carries approximately 4 million passengers annually.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N406YX (msn 17000369) of fellow American Eagle carrier Republic Airlines (2nd) arrives at Philadelphia.

Delta Connection-Compass: 

NWA Airlink-Compass: 

American Eagle-Republic: 

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will start daily American Eagle service from its (US Airways) hub to both Jacksonville, FL and New Orleans on September 26. The routes will be operated by Embraer 175 aircraft operated by Republic Airlines (2nd) according to Airline Route.

In addition, American Eagle (operated by ExpressJet Airlines CRJ200s) will launch new daily service from the Dallas/Fort Worth hub to Meridian and Laurel, Mississippi.

Finally American will suspend service on three European routes this winter (resuming next summer): Chicago (“hare)-Dusseldorf, Chicago (O’Hare)-Manchester and New York (JFK)-Dublin per Airline Route.

Copyright Photo: Tony Storck/AirlinersGallery.com. Operated by Republic Airlines, Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N426YX (msn 17000397) taxies at Baltimore/Washington.

American Airlines (current): 

American Eagle-Republic (2nd): 

Flybe (Exeter) has announced new year-round routes from Manchester and London City to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport.

The airline will operate daily flights between Manchester and Amsterdam using 88-seat Embraer 175 jet aircraft from October 26, 2014.

Weekend flights are the order of the day from London City with the airline offering Saturday morning and Sunday evening flights on 78-seat Bombardier Q400 aircraft, conveniently timed for weekend leisure travel from November 1.

The two new routes complement those already featured in Flybe’s existing 2014-15 Winter schedule to Amsterdam. It also enhances the airline’s debut schedule out of London City, adding to those routes already announced to Aberdeen, Belfast City, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter and Inverness.

Copyright Photo: Ton Jochems/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200STD (ERJ 175) G-FBJC (msn 17000328) taxies at Amsterdam.

Flybe: 

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) has confirmed it will launch twice-daily nonstop service from Los Angeles to San Antonio, Texas, beginning on April 7, 2015 as previously reported. The San Antonio service complements Delta’s daily service from Los Angeles to Dallas/Fort Worth, which relaunches on November 3, and the addition of a third daily flight between Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, beginning on November 2. All flights are operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

With the addition of San Antonio and Dallas/Fort Worth service, Delta customers will have access to nine daily departures to three destinations between Los Angeles and Texas, including:

Four daily flights to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
Three daily flights to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Two daily flights to San Antonio International Airport

In the last year, Delta has significantly expanded its network from LAX, adding service to Austin; Boise, Idaho; and San Salvador, El Salvador; increasing the number of flights from destinations it already serves; and expanding to year-round service in Boston. Delta will also launch service from LA to Monterrey, Mexico, in November. Last fall, Delta expanded its service from Los Angeles to San Francisco with the launch of its hourly, nonstop Delta Shuttle product. In October, Delta will launch international service from LAX to London-Heathrow as part of its joint venture partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways. Service to Austin, Boise, Monterrey and San Francisco is operated by Delta Connection carriers Compass Airlines and SkyWest Airlines.

Delta has also made significant enhancements to its Los Angeles service both on the ground and in the air in the past few years. Travelers through Los Angeles will enjoy the benefits of the $229 million expansion and enhancement of Terminal 5 at LAX. The current project will double the size of the ticketing lobby and screening checkpoints and open an exclusive Sky Priority lobby and checkpoint. It also will include renovations to the Delta Sky Club and new baggage carousels. The project is scheduled to take place in several phases, with the west lobby to be completed in November.

Delta currently operates 140 peak-day departures to 47 destinations from LAX, and every flight offers BusinessElite/First Class and Economy Comfort seating. Nearly every domestic flight features Wi-Fi service, and Delta now offers customers free entertainment from every seat out of LA through its new Delta Studio product.

Copyright Photo: Wingnut/AirlinersGallery.com. In this unusual view, Compass Airlines’ Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N620CZ (msn 17000214) taxies at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Delta Air Lines (current): 

Delta Connection-Compass: 

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) will introduce the Bombardier CRJ900 to the Dallas/Fort Worth hub starting on November 6. Mesa Airlines (Phoenix) will operate the type initially on American Eagle services to Albuquerque, El Paso, Fayetteville and Greenville/Spartanburg per Airline Route. On November 16 this operation will expand with a Huntsville, AL route. Colorado Springs, Little Rock, Louisville, Lubbock, Oklahoma City and Wichita will be added from DFW on December 2. Finally Montrose, CO will be added on December 18.

In May 2014 Mesa Airlines announced they had reached an agreement with American Airlines to operate six more CRJ900s for American bringing the total CRJ900s to 51 aircraft.

In other news, American is also introducing the Embraer ERJ 175 on additional routes. Effective November 6 the Embraer 175 will be operated from the Chicago (O’Hare) hub to Columbus, OH. On the same date from the Miami hub, the E175 will operate to Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans and Pittsburgh. From New York (JFK) the E175 will be assigned to the Pittsburgh route also starting on November 6.

Finally on December 18, the Embraer 175 will be added on additional routes from the Miami hub to Cleveland, Key West and Nassau.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. Mesa Airlines’ Bombardier CRJ900 (CL-600-2D24) N944LR (msn 15075) is pictured at Long Beach, California.

American Airlines (current) Aircraft Slide Show: 

American Eagle-Mesa Aircraft Slide Show: 

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) on December 15 will inaugurate new daily service to Berlin and Dusseldorf from Rome (Fiumicino), Milan (Linate) and Venice.

New Alitalia flights to Berlin and Dusseldorf will operate daily during the winter season using Embraer 175 aircraft offering 2 classes of service: “Excellent”- Alitalia’s business class for international routes, and “Classic”, Alitalia’s economy class service.

New flights between Italy and Germany have strategic importance for Alitalia. With the introduction of the new flights to Berlin and Dusseldorf in 2015, Alitalia will offer approximately 370,000 more seats, an increase of 66% over 2014. Alitalia currently offers direct flights from Rome to Munich, and Rome and Milan Linate to Frankfurt.

Alitalia’s increase of seats offered to Germany during 2014 resulted in 60% more passengers carried over 2013.

The new flights will operate in codeshare with partner Airberlin (Berlin), Germany’s second largest airline.

Copyright Photo: Paul Denton/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) EI-RDB (msn 17000331) departs from Geneva.

Alitalia (2nd) Aircraft Slide Show: 

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) will launch daily nonstop service next spring from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to five new destinations in the continued expansion of its West Coast hub.

Delta’s new service will include:

Five daily flights to Denver, beginning June 4*
Four daily flights to Sacramento, Calif., beginning May 4* **
Four daily flights to Boise, Idaho, beginning May 4**
One seasonal daily flight to Ketchikan, Alaska beginning May 15**
One seasonal daily flight to Sitka, Alaska beginning May 15**

*Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines
**Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines

Delta will serve the top 15 destinations in the Western U.S. with the addition of Boise, Denver and Sacramento, while Ketchikan and Sitka complete the top five destinations in Alaska. Delta will also increase its number of daily flights from Seattle/Tacoma to Anchorage, Alaska; Atlanta; Calgary, Alberta; Detroit; Los Angeles; San Francisco and Salt Lake City.

On December 20, Delta will begin service from Seattle/Tacoma to several sun and ski destinations, including Bozeman, Mont.**; Maui, Hawaii; Palm Springs, Calif.**; Phoenix**; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and Tucson, Ariz.*; as well as a second daily flight to Honolulu. Additionally, Delta commenced service to Calgary** and Spokane, Wash.* **, at the beginning of November.

*Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier Compass Airlines
**Flight operated by Delta Connection carrier SkyWest Airlines

Delta currently operates 80 peak-day departures to 25 destinations from Seattle and will increase to 93 peak-day departures to 32 destinations in December. By next summer, Delta will offer 120 peak-day departures to 35 destinations.

The new routes will allow customers to seamlessly connect to Delta’s ten long-haul international flights from Seattle, while providing compelling travel options to cities important to local customers. Earlier this year, Delta launched international service to London-Heathrow, as well as Seoul and Hong Kong and now provides more international long-haul service from Seattle than all other airlines combined. This includes the top five destinations in Asia and three of the top four destinations in Europe. Delta is the only carrier to offer nonstop service from Seattle to Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo-Haneda.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum/AirlinersGallery.com. Compass Airlines is already operating several routes at SeaTac as a Delta Connection carrier with its Embraer 175s. ERJ 170-200LR N608CZ (msn 17000195) taxies to the runway at SEA.

Delta Air Lines (current livery): 

Delta Connection-Compass: 

Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) announced today it is expanding its partnership with SkyWest Airlines (St. George, Utah) with the addition of three new destinations from Alaska’s Northwest hubs. Flying on new Embraer ERJ 175 jets (a new type in Alaska colors), Alaska will begin offering daily nonstop service starting on July 1, 2015 between Seattle/Tacoma and Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Seattle/Tacoma and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Portland, Oregon and St. Louis.

The 76-seat E175 jet will feature 12 seats in first class and 64 in coach, and boasts cabin dimensions on par with a Boeing 737. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi Internet access, streaming inflight entertainment and 110 volt power in every first class seat. Food and beverage will include hot meals and picnic packs for purchase, in addition to Northwest microbrews and wine.

SkyWest has purchased seven Embraer E175 aircraft to fly on behalf of Alaska under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA). The first three aircraft will arrive in the summer of 2015, and the remaining four will be delivered in the first quarter of 2016.

SkyWest operates for Alaska Airlines as Alaska SkyWest.

“The E175 is new for the Alaska brand and fills a specific need to serve ‘long, thin routes’ – destinations that are too distant for our regional aircraft, but currently don’t have enough customer demand to fill a mainline jet,” said Andrew Harrison, senior vice president of planning and revenue management for Alaska Airlines. “The smaller, but spacious, E175 jet will not only open up new cities, but provide feed traffic to our Northwest hubs, while giving customers a comfortable experience on these longer flights.”

Today, SkyWest flies 40 flights a day between 14 cities for Alaska Airlines and by August 2016, that will increase to 52 flights a day to 17 cities.

Alaska Airlines has been growing its Seattle/Tacoma hub, this year launching service to six new cities which include Albuquerque, Baltimore/Washington, Cancun, Detroit, New Orleans and Tampa. With the addition of these new SkyWest-operated flights, next summer Alaska will offer 298 peak-day departures to 81 destinations from Seattle/Tacoma – three times any other carrier. From Portland, starting in July Alaska Airlines will offer 125 peak-day departures to 44 destinations – more than any other carrier.

In related news, SkyWest confirmed its order for seven Embraer 175s with this announcement:

SkyWest, Inc. and Embraer have confirmed a firm order for seven E175 jets. The aircraft will be flown by SkyWest Airlines under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with Alaska Airlines. The value of the firm order, which will be included in Embraer’s 2014 fourth-quarter backlog, is estimated at $301 million, based on 2014 list prices.

These aircraft are part of SkyWest’s previous order for 100 (40 firm and 60 reconfirmable), E175 current generation E-Jets – with an additional 100 options – placed in May 2013, taking the firm order number to a total of 47. The E175s for Alaska Airlines will be configured with 76 seats including 12 First Class seats. Deliveries are schedule to begin in the second semester of 2015.

SkyWest Airlines operates a fleet of approximately 15 E175 and 39 EMB 120 Brasilia aircraft. ExpressJet Airlines operates 226 aircraft of the ERJ 145 family and is the largest ERJ operator in the world.

In a separate deal with Embraer, announced in June of 2013, SkyWest became the launch customer of the E175-E2, ordering 100 aircraft with 100 additional options, for deliveries beginning in 2020.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. SkyWest Airlines currently operates 10 Bombardier CRJ900s (CL-600-2C10s) including the pictured N223AG (msn 10010) arriving at Long Beach.

Alaska Airlines aircraft slide show: 

Alaska SkyWest aircraft slide show:

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) continues to dismantle the Memphis hub. According to The Commerical Appeal of Memphis, the airline will drop all service from MEM to Dallas/Fort Worth, New Orleans and Pittsburgh on January 5, 2015. The airline claims the MEM routes that are being dropped are “unprofitable” A fourth route, to Washington (Reagan National), will be dropped on April 7, 2015. 84 positions at the MEM station are being eliminated according to the report.

The routes are operated with Embraer 170/175s.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N215JQ (msn 17000270) prepares to land in Washington (Reagan National).

Delta Air Lines aircraft slide show (current livery): 

Delta Connection-Shuttle America: 

American Airlines Group (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced as a part of its $2 billion investment to give customers a world-class travel experience, American Airlines will upgrade its regional fleet by adding Gogo inflight wireless services to all two-class regional jets. Nearly 250 of American’s regional aircraft will have inflight wireless Internet service installed by 2016. With this installation, the world’s largest airline will have the largest fleet of connected regional jets.

American currently has nearly 850 aircraft with Gogo services and leverages Gogo’s air-to-ground (ATG) service and its next generation ATG-4 technology. Approximately 70 of these 850 aircraft are two-class regional jets.

Having ordered more than 500 new aircraft – with nearly two planes arriving each week through 2016 – American will offer customers the youngest fleet of any U.S.-based network carrier. New aircraft deliveries include 90 large regional jets, the Embraer 175 and Bombardier CRJ900. These modern and fuel-efficient 76-seat jets provide customers with a top-tier regional product with First Class, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating, larger overhead bins, more spacious lavatories and leather seats with adjustable headrests.

The American Eagle and US Airways Express regional networks operate about 2,600 daily flights for American Airlines and US Airways, respectively. These flights serve 240 destinations throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico. Eventually all regional service will be operated under the American Eagle brand and livery.

American marked the one-year anniversary of its merger earlier this week by announcing more than $2 billion in investments to give its customers a world-class travel experience. These investments include expanding inflight entertainment and connectivity. The airline is adding satellite-based Internet access to its international fleet including all Boeing 777s and 787s, Airbus A330s, and retrofitted Boeing 767-300s and 757s. New 737s, nearly all new A321s, as well as retrofitted A319s also will have power ports in every row. All new widebody deliveries, including 777-300 ERs and 787s, come with power at every seat, allowing customers to charge their laptops and personal electronic devices from gate to gate. American also will be investing in fully lie-flat seats, more inflight entertainment options, a new, modern design for Admirals Club lounges worldwide, and an upgraded assortment of complimentary healthy food, cocktails and more.

Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. Republic Airlines’ (2nd) Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) N137HQ (msn 17000231) arrives at the Charlotte hub.

American Airlines aircraft slide show (current livery): 

American Eagle-Republic aircraft slide show:

Alitalia (2nd) (Rome) yesterday (December 15) began new service from Rome (Fiumicino), Milan (Linate) and Venice to Berlin (Tegel) and Dusseldorf. The first Alitalia flights to the two German cities took off from Milan Linate Airport at 6.30 am (flight AZ 418 to Dusseldorf) and 6:35 am (flight AZ 406 to Berlin), while the new flights from Rome and Venice departed later in the day.

The new daily service to Berlin and Dusseldorf will operate, for the winter season, with an Embraer 175 aircraft configured in two classes of service: “Ottima” – Alitalia’s business class on international flights, and “Classica”, the economy class. During the summer season, which will begin in March 2015, these routes will be operated with higher capacity aircraft.

The new service between Italy and Germany is very important for Alitalia from a strategic point of view. With the introduction of the new flights to Berlin and Dusseldorf, Alitalia will offer 370,000 more seats to Germany in 2015, an increase of +66%, compared to 2014, expanding its network, which was limited to flights from Rome to Munich and from Rome and Milan Linate to Frankfurt.

All new flights launched are in codeshare with Airberlin, the second largest German airline, in accordance with the codeshare agreement between the two companies launched on October 26, 2014.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner/AirlinersGallery.com. Embraer ERJ 170-200LR (ERJ 175) EI-RDC (msn 17000333) taxies at Zurich.

Alitalia aircraft slide show: