CommuteAir, celebrating its 35th anniversary, announced on Wednesday the launch of its charter service utilizing a newly certified Embraer E170 aircraft. The 76-seat jet has received FAA approval and is now available for booking, the company shared.
The regional airline typically operates 80 Embraer E145 aircraft on behalf of United Express. It has bases in Washington, D.C. and Houston.
“CommuteAir recognized a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft,” said Captain David Fitzgerald, the carrier’s Senior Vice President of Flight Operations, in a news release. “With its 76-seat capacity, the E170 offers a cost-effective and appropriately sized solution for various client needs.”
The aircraft features a 2×2 seating configuration, two flight attendants, and dual lavatories. CommuteAir anticipates demand from sports teams, VIP travelers, entertainment groups, and corporate clients.
Registered as N780NC, the carrier’s first and, so far, only E170 was purchased in June 2023 and is just over 15 years old. Over the last 10 months, CommuteAir says it has been working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify the new jet as part of its fleet.
“So this aircraft allows us to move from a small commuter certificate to a much larger public convenience and accessibility certificate. And that paves the way for future opportunities for CommuteAir, operating much larger gauge aircraft,” the airline’s CEO Rick Hoefling told AirlineGeeks during a September 2023 interview. “The Embraer 170 and 175 fleet, the 76-seat market in the United States, is underserved from a charter perspective.”
