American Airlines is adding 22 spacious E170 regional jets this spring
A handful of regional jets are joining the American Eagle fleet this spring.
Over the weekend, the Fort Worth-based carrier filed its first routes for Embraer E170 aircraft that are due to join its regional fleet in the coming months. The planes will be based at New York LaGuardia (LGA) and will fly for two American Eagle partners, Envoy Air and Republic Airways.
Envoy is getting six newly purchased E170s. These planes were flying for British Airways’ CityFlyer subsidiary until earlier this year, when the London-based carrier decided to no longer fly the mid-size Embraer regional jet due to the pandemic.
Instead of sending them to the airplane boneyard, CityFlyer found a new home for its six E170s — Envoy Air. After the roughly 11-year-old planes hop across the pond, they’ll be repainted, rebranded and retrofitted for AA service.
Envoy Air will start flying the E170s between LGA and Indianapolis (IND) on June 3, per Cirium timetables and later confirmed by the carrier. AA will then add a second Envoy-operated E170 route, from LGA to Wilmington, North Carolina (ILM), on Oct. 31. Of course, schedules are subject to change due to the pandemic.
When Envoy inaugurates E170 service later this year, the jets will be outfitted in a 65-seat arrangement, with 12 seats in first class, 20 in extra-legroom Main Cabin Extra and 33 in coach. First class will be arranged in a 1-2 configuration, and economy will be in a 2-2 layout. The planes will feature Wi-Fi and in-seat power outlets.
In May, American Eagle-partner Republic Airways also will start flying a 65-seat version of the E170, based at LaGuardia as well. Cirium schedules show that the new jet is currently slated to operate a bunch of LGA routes, including to:
- Asheville (AVL)
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Cleveland (CLE)
- Indianapolis (IND)
- Key West (EYW)
- Nashville (BNA)
- Pensacola (PNS)
- Raleigh-Durham (RDU)
- Wilmington (ILM)
Republic confirmed that the newly reconfigured E170s have been in its fleet flying for other carriers, but they will be reallocated to American Eagle. For now, 16 Republic Embraer 170s will be reconfigured in a 65-seat arrangement.
Adding Embraer 170s — in a spacious, 65-seat arrangement — is a strategic move on American’s part.
Why?
Well, it boils down to a scope clause that American has with its pilots. These contract provisions limit how much flying American can outsource to its regional partners, based on the number of seats in each regional jet.
Per the terms of the scope clause, American Eagle can only operate a certain percentage of regional jets seating between 66 and 76 passengers.
Related: American Airlines to retire entire Embraer 140 fleet in May
By purposely outfitting the E170s with just 65 seats, these jets qualify as small regional aircraft and don’t count towards the limit on larger jets. (United made a similar strategic move when creating the 50-seat CRJ-550, a more spacious variant of the larger CRJ-700.)
Adding 65-seat E170s comes as American is gearing up to retire its smallest regional jet, the Embraer 140, this May. Brian Znotins, American's vice president of network planning, recently told TPG that “we are publishing our plans now to phase out that aircraft type. As we continue bringing larger regional jets into our system, the Embraer 140s are the first we are phasing out.”
Related: 8 things to know about the new American Airlines-JetBlue alliance
Flying larger regional jets equipped with a first-class cabin was one of the major selling points for AA's new Northeast alliance with JetBlue. As part of the pact, American promised to upgauge all New York flying to jets equipped with a first-class cabin, like the E170s that are now set to begin flying under the carrier's brand.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.