There won't be any middle seats on Avelo Airlines' newest no-frills jet

"In September, the carrier inked a $4.4 billion deal with Brazilian planemaker Embraer for 50 of its newest jets, the E195-E2, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The new planes will fly alongside Avelo's existing fleet of Boeing 737s. It's a big moment for Embraer and US aviation: Avelo, which launched in 2021, is the first US airline to purchase the E2."

"Until now, the jet failed to gain traction in the US market because of the regional pilot union's "scope clause," which limits the size and weight of planes that regional affiliates can operate. These agreements, intended to protect mainline pilot jobs at places like Delta and United, cap outsourced flying to aircraft weighing less than 86,000 pounds - well below the E2's weight. This means that only independent airlines, like Avelo, can operate it."

"Embraer Commercial Aviation president and CEO Arjan Meijer said during the company's Investor Day on Tuesday that the E-2 is quieter than its rivals, burns less fuel per seat, and comes with a 2x2 cabin layout, meaning no dreaded middle seats. Avelo CFO Hunter Keay said that the plane's automatic takeoff capability will help the airline reach smaller airports in secondary markets because it can operate on shorter runways where Avelo's 737s cannot."

Avelo Airlines signed a $4.4 billion agreement with Embraer to purchase 50 E195-E2 jets, with deliveries beginning in 2027. The E2 will join Avelo's existing Boeing 737 fleet. The E195-E2 had been largely absent from the U.S. market because regional pilot unions' scope clauses restrict regional affiliates to aircraft under 86,000 pounds, below the E2's weight. Embraer cites reduced noise, improved fuel burn per seat, and a 2x2 cabin layout without middle seats. The E2's automatic takeoff capability enables operations on shorter runways, opening service to smaller secondary airports. Avelo selected the E2 over the Airbus A220 due to faster availability.

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