Brazil may have done badly in World Cup football, but the country as a whole is showing a lot of verve (endorsed by the BRICS meeting). Showing lot more verve is the Brazilian aerospace behemoth – Embraer – which had a pretty good run at this edition of Farnborough, notching up aircraft orders and showcasing a cabin mock-up of its re-engined E2. Embraer has chalked out a clever strategy to garner substantial market share. It is downsizing its E-Jets family from four to three with the introduction of E2 Jets which are going to have larger windows and overhead bins, mood lighting and a staggered business class seat configuration. It will soon have a family of E2 jets consisting of the E175 E2, E190 E2 and the E195 E2. Embraer said it would freeze the design of E190 E2 by end-2014. The entry in service for the E190 E2 is 2018, for the E195 E2 is 2019 and for the E175 E2 is 2020.

The President and Chief Operating Officer (CEO) of Embraer Commercial Aviation, Paulo Cesar Silva, said Embraer had a much ‘nicer story’ than the Brazilian football team. Stating that Embraer jets were in operation with 86 airlines, showed its domination in 70- to 130-seat segment. “We are going to keep investing in the improvement of the existing programme. The E2 represents an effort of continuous innovation.”

Investing to Stay Ahead

Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer Commercial Aviation Senior Vice President of Operations and CEO, indicated the kind of improvements that were being made on the jets and how these would add enormous value for the customer. In 2013-14, the maintenance improvements had effected substantial benefits in terms of fuel burn. “The target for the E175 was five per cent reduction in fuel burn, but we achieved 6.4 per cent.” Going into 2015, there would be further improvements in respect of interiors and on-board avionics. “Our strategy is different. We are not just thinking about re-engining, but also new wings and other features. Design of new wings for both the E175 and the E190 were on.”

Embraer, he reiterated, is making investments to the tune of $1.7 billion to ensure that the jets were way ahead of the market. “We are going to have an increased carry-on capacity, that is 40 per cent enhancement in volume.” The carry-on volume has been increased by 40 per cent and will allow one carry-on (of the standard IATA size, 22 x 18 x 10 in) per passenger. Only 60 to 70 per cent can stow cabin baggage in the drop-down overhead bins of the current E-Jets. “We want to offer customers the best solution for their business model and the flexibility to quickly change cabin configuration without incurring high costs,” added Luis Carlos Affonso.

New E2 Cabin Makes Its Debut

A completely redesigned cabin with unprecedented space and an innovative premium seating layout was on display at the Farnborough Airshow. UK design firm Priestmangoode was contracted to develop the interior jointly with Embraer. The new E2 cabin keeps the trademark two-by-two, 18.3 inch wide seats in economy class. The slim seats, which have no under seat support rails, give passengers more space to stow their cabin baggage or stretch out.

New overhead bins are about 40 per cent larger compared to the current-generation E-Jets. Space is so generous that each passenger on the aircraft can stow his/her own standard-size carry-on bag in the bins.

One of the signature design features of the E2 is an individual passenger service unit. Inspired by the automotive industry, each passenger has his/her own light and air vent that is positioned directly above the seat. Windows have been redesigned to make the cabin appear larger and brighter.