United Will Add 175 Embraer Regional Aircraft for United Express

united expressThe United Express fleet is getting larger aircraft - 76-passenger regional jets - thanks to a deal United Airlines inked this week with Embraer.

The result will be 30 new Embraer 175 regional jets delivered in 2014 and 2015. They will be operated by a United Express partner to be announced later.

"At United, we are focused on modernizing our fleet, and we look forward to introducing the E175 to our United Express service," said Jim Compton, United's vice chairman and chief revenue officer.

The Embraer 175 is the first 76-seat regional jet in United Express' fleet. Compared to the 50-seat aircraft the regional jets will replace, the aircraft is expected to provide a better customer experience. 

"With a large first class cabin, wider fuselage, and larger overhead bins, this aircraft brings an improved regional flying experience to our customers," Compton said. The aircraft will accommodate standard carry-on bags.

Passengers will have a choice of 12 United First, 16 Economy Plus and 48 United Economy seats.

The newer, larger regional jets will also burn 10 percent less fuel per seat and will have less CO2 emissions per seat than the 50-seat aircraft they replace

United said that once it adds the newer aircraft into the United Express fleet, it will remove some older 50-seat regional jets.