The 76-seat aircraft will be delivered in Alaska’s livery and three-class configuration in 2022.
17 May 2021: Alaska Air Group subsidiary Horizon Air has ordered nine new E175 jets from Embraer under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) for USD 449.1 million. Alaska Air currently has 62 Embraer E175 jets in their fleet operated by Horizon Air and SkyWest Airlines. The 76-seat aircraft will be delivered in Alaska’s livery and three-class configuration in 2022.
Nat Pieper, Alaska Airlines senior vice president of fleet, finance and alliances said, “We have navigated through the pandemic and we’re on a solid path to recovery. The E175 remains a key part of our strategy. We’re excited about growth in the years ahead, which has always been at the heart of Alaska’s DNA. The E175 is a terrific plane to help us add new routes and frequencies, and to complement our mainline aircraft to meet fluctuating demand with the right capacity.”
Joe Sprague, President and CEO of Horizon Air, said, “Our customers love the comfort and convenience of the E175, especially their two by two layout, meaning no one has to sit in the middle seat. The size and efficiency of the E175 also allows us to boost flying in key markets, giving our customers more of the flexibility they crave.”
Mark Neely, VP Sales and Marketing, The Americas, Embraer Commercial Aviation, said, “The E175 is truly the backbone of the North American regional market; Embraer’s market share in the region’s 70-90-seat segment is 85 per cent. There are currently 588 E175s serving US and Canadian carriers in cities across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Central America.”
Alaska Air Group also announced today a commitment for eight more E175 aircraft with SkyWest Airlines. Once all 17 E175 aircraft are delivered, Alaska Air Group will have 79 E175s in its regional fleet operated by Horizon and SkyWest. Horizon is converting nine options from its April 2016 contract to firm orders. Added to Horizon’s three remaining firm orders on backlog, they will have a fleet of 42 E175s flying for Alaska Airlines, when all aircraft are delivered.
The E175 has been a lifeline for carriers as they are perfectly suited to rebuild frequencies and add incremental capacity to meet rebounding domestic demand.
