Air Canada welcomes its first Embraer 190 aircraft

Air Canada welcomed the most recent addition to its North American fleet as its first Embraer 190 departed Ottawa for Orlando on its inaugural flight last night.

Air Canada becomes the first North American airline to operate two different Embraer E-Jet models, the E175 and the E190.

The new Embraer jets are outfitted with Air Canada's new personal entertainment system that is being introduced fleet-wide, and features 8.9-inch wide digital in-seat monitors with touch-screen controls offering audio and video on demand programming at every seat. Other amenities include Air Canada's new seating and cabin design with in-seat power within reach of every customer, no middle seats, spacious overhead bins and cabin interiors that offer plenty of head room with extra-wide aisles.

The 93-seat E190 aircraft is configured to provide a choice of two classes of service with 9 window or aisle seats in Executive Class offering 38 inches of legroom, and 84 window or aisle seats in Hospitality service offering 33 inches of legroom.

"The arrival of this new generation of jet to the Air Canada fleet allows us to offer superior comfort for our customers in North America," said Ben Smith, Vice President, Network Planning, Air Canada. "We will deploy Embraer's E190 state-of-the-art aircraft to pursue strategic market opportunities in Canada and in the Unites States while offering customers a premium travel experience with enhanced space, comfort and convenient schedules."

As additional aircraft join the fleet, the E190 will be used primarily in key Canada-U.S. transborder markets including Toronto-Boston, Toronto-Newark, Toronto-LaGuardia, Calgary-New York (JFK), Ottawa-Fort Lauderdale, Ottawa- Orlando, Montreal-Denver, as well as certain domestic routes such as Toronto- Kelowna, Toronto-St. John's, Montreal-Edmonton, and Montreal-Calgary. Air Canada currently operates its new 73-seat E175 aircraft on: Toronto-Washington D.C. Reagan National Airport, Toronto-Atlanta, Toronto-Boston, Toronto-Newark, Montreal-LaGuardia and Montreal-Chicago.

The E190 has a cruising speed of 830 km/h and a range of up to 4,260 km with a maximum payload of 12,720 kg. Air Canada has firm orders for 45 E190 aircraft with additional options for up to 60 additional E190 aircraft. By year-end there will be four E190s in service joining the 14 E175 already operated by Air Canada.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Embraer, Air Canada