The Embraer E-Jet family is a series of four-abreast, narrow-body, short- to medium-range, twin-engined regional jet airliners designed and produced by Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. The E-Jet was designed to complement Embraer's earlier ERJ family, the company's first jet-powered regional aircraft. With a capacity of 66 to 124 passengers, the E-Jets were significantly larger than any aircraft Embraer had developed before that time.
The project was unveiled in early 1997 and formally introduced at the 1999 Paris Air Show. On 19 February 2002, the first E-Jet prototype completed its maiden flight, and production began later that year. The first E170 was delivered to LOT Polish Airlines on 17 March 2004. Initial rollout issues were quickly overcome, and Embraer rapidly expanded product support for better global coverage.
Larger variants, the E190 and E195, entered service later in 2004, while a stretched version of the E170, the E175, was introduced in mid-2005. The E-Jet series achieved commercial success, primarily due to their ability to serve lower-demand routes while offering many of the amenities and features of larger jets. The E-Jet family is used by both mainline and regional airlines worldwide, with particular popularity among regional airlines in the United States.
