Horizon Air has announced that it will grow its fleet with the purchase of 30 new three-class Embraer E175 jets, which will fly exclusively for Alaska Airlines. The order, which also includes 33 options, will be delivered over three years starting next year, and is valued at $2.8 billion at Embraer’s current list price and represents the largest order since the airline was founded in 1981. The jets will supplement the Portland-based carrier’s fleet of Bombardier Q400 turboprops.
Embraer’s E175 will allow the carrier to fly "long, thin routes," Horizon Air said – destinations that are too distant for a turboprop, but currently don't have enough customer demand to fill a mainline jet.
Horizon said it plans to begin flying the jets exclusively for Alaska Airlines under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) beginning in spring 2017 on select longer routes originating from the Pacific Northwest. Over time, the jets will replace 15 of the airline’s leased Q400s, due for return in 2018.
Horizon Air will fly both the E175 and the Q400 for the foreseeable future, the airline said.
The 76-seat E175 jet will have 12 seats in first class, 16 in premium class and 48 in the main cabin. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi Internet access, and Alaska Beyond Entertainment, which includes free and premium entertainment direct to customer devices and power outlets throughout the cabin. Depending on length of flight, food and beverage will include fresh meals for purchase in addition to locally-sourced craft beers and premium wines.
Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group, Inc. and flies to 39 cities across the United States and Canada.
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