Embraer 170

January 7th, 2009
  • I had my first chance to fly on a US Embraer 170. AC will begin putting these "new generation" in to service this summer along with their larger sibling. Several months ago there was a post questioning what these new jets would be like and the AC folks were quite excited about them so I thought I'd offer my perspective (sorry if there have been lots of threads on this already).

    Positives:
    - looks and feels like a "real jet" rather than an RJ.
    - 2X2 leather seating so everyone has a window or aisle. Seats were at least as wide as Y seats on larger jets
    - aisles were wide and there was ~6' 6" of headroom
    - overhead bin storage will hold a regulation roller bag (provided it is not overstuffed). I would say the bins are similar height to an older 737. Note that people with really thick bags may have problems stowing them.
    - good headroom above the seats
    - seat pitch was fine - I would guess 32"
    - seats recline similar to real jets
    - aircraft can use jetways (we boarded on a jetway and exited using stairs
    - reading lamp can be adjusted so it actually points at what you want to illuminate.
    - individual air vents to blowwarm air at you on the ground.
    - You can actually see out the windows without bending down.

    Negatives
    - seats are thinner than on traditional jets. They are closer to what we are used to on a RJ. While they were comfortable for my 1.5 hour flight, I'm not sure I'd be happy for 3 hours in them.
    - leather is comfortable but the surface is slippery so you have a tendency to slip forward
    - No J class on US, although AC will have J on theirs.
    - Higher cabin noise level than on a RJ (if you're not seated in the back) due to under-wing engines. Noise level similar to A320.
    - No in-flight entertainment, although I understand this will be installed on later arrivals for AC and eventually retrofitted on the entire EMB fleet.

    Overall a tremendous improvement over EMB and BBD's earlier efforts, and almost up to par with the larger jets. You do not feel like you are in a RJ. I can see why airlines are buying this aircraft over the larger Bombardier equivalents, even if they will pay a penalty in higher fuel consumption by hauling 10,000 lbs. of extra metal around for the same number of passengers.


  • [QUOTE=The Lev]I just did IAH-PHL on US in one of these a few days ago (remember my Rant du Jour from that trip? :D ). To add to The Lev's comments,

    Positives:
    - Y seats have vertically-adjustable headrests
    - the climb angle on take-off is quite impressive (or perhaps it was just my perception)
    - sitting mid-way, right above the wings, the plane was pretty quiet

    Negatives:
    - the overhead bins will take a roll-aboard, but only parallel to the axis of the plane, nor perpendicular (i.e. "side-first", not "wheels-first"); It is my understanding (or at least a hope) that AC's configuration will include deeper bins to allow "wheels-first" storage
    - IAH-PHL is still a loooong trip in one of these, although admittedly way better than in a CRJ. Then again perhaps, I have spoiled lately myself riding too often in J.


  • Hmmm... good call.

    They've only decided to add Personal IFE since after the demo, so perhaps they have decided/will need to choose different seats. Still, there's plenty of room for an 18+" wide seat, with extra wide arm rests.

    Seems Embrarer has done to Airbus what the Airbus A320 did to the Boeing 737, when they made the fuselage ~6" wider.


  • I was using 170 in the generic sense, but I probably should have said 175. Nevertheless, my comments were based on AC ordering the same seats that were on the demo model, which we were led to believe they would.

    In that case, the seat width will be 18¼" wide, and the exit row pitch will be 41". That compares with 38-40" pitch and 18" width on the domestic 767 J seat.


  • Then again perhaps, I have spoiled lately myself riding too often in J.

    .....A little humility is good for the soul!

    DF


  • I was using 170 in the generic sense, but I probably should have said 175. Nevertheless, my comments were based on AC ordering the same seats that were on the demo model, which we were led to believe they would.

    In that case, the seat width will be 18¼" wide, and the exit row pitch will be 41". That compares with 38-40" pitch and 18" width on the domestic 767 J seat.

    Thanks for the clarification. I understand that you have flown the 170 DEMO but will AC order the exact same seats? They have to fit IFE in the seats so they can't be the same as the demo.


  • AC is getting the 175 and 190. Seats will not be identical as each airline chooses it's own.


  • Then again perhaps, I have spoiled lately myself riding too often in J.Get an exit row on a 170, and you have a wider seat with more leg room than on a domestic 767 J seat.







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