Summary CommuteAir received FAA certification for its Embraer E170 charter operations, aiming to find new market opportunities. The airline's fleet includes 74 Embraer ERJ-145 jets and a single larger E170 aircraft for charters. The E170 features 76 seats, suitable for various uses like sports teams, VIP travel, and corporate shuttles.
CommuteAir, a regional airline operating flights on behalf of United Airlines as a United Express partner, has received FAA certification for its charter operations with its recently acquired Embraer E170 regional jet. Finding new opportunities in the market The certification of Embraer E170 charter operations marks a significant milestone in the carrier’s ambition to expand its service pool past the 50-passenger Embraer ERJ-145 and start an independent charter service. Commenting on the successful FAA certification, Captain David Fitzgerald, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations at CommuteAir, said: “CommuteAir recognized a significant opportunity in the market for charter aircraft that bridge the gap between small regional jets and larger narrowbody aircraft.
With its 76-seat capacity, the E170 offers a cost-effective and appropriately sized solution for various client needs.” The airline's ten-month Federal Aviation Administration certification involved a five-phase process, including submitting a letter of intent to the DOT and FAA, creating and updating manuals, assisting with Design Collection Tools (DCTs) to align with Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs), and developing flight planning capabilities for the new aircraft. The last stage of the certification process involved conducting in-house training for pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics, as well as performing operations demonstrations, including Table-Top exercises, Mini-Evacuation drills, and Proving Flights.
CommuteAir’s fleet in 2024 Presently, the regional airline operates a fleet of 75 aircraft with an average age of 17.7 years, according to ch-aviation data. The fleet comprises 74 Embraer ERJ-145 jets and a single larger Embraer E170 aircraft.
Notably, all 74 Embraer ERJ-145 jets are solely operated on behalf of United Airlines. With its hefty fleet of regional jets, CommuteAir operates up to 1,600 weekly flights primarily from its major hubs at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Additionally, the regional carrier, which is majority-owned by Champlain Enterprises and 40% owned by United Airlines, operates maintenance hangars in Houston, Albany, and Lincoln.
CommuteAir currently operates a single Embraer E170 regional jet, registered as N780NC. Acquired from Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) in June 2023, this 15.5-year-old aircraft previously served in Airnorth's fleet for 13 years before being delivered to NAC in 2022.
CommuteAir, a key franchisee of United Express and a large operator of ERJ-145s, has acquired its first E170. CommuteAir’s Embraer E170 has the capacity to accommodate a total of 76 passengers in a single-class cabin. It also features a 2-2 leather seating configuration, accommodates two flight attendants, and has two lavatories.
This particular configuration makes the regional aircraft a convenient choice for “college or high school sports teams, VIP travel, entertainment groups, casino or hotel charters, corporate shuttles,” among other uses. Rick Hoefling, CommuteAir President and chief executive officer, said: “The certification of our new E170 highlights the dedication and hard work of our team, reflecting our commitment to excellence and innovation. We are excited to introduce this exceptional flying experience and are eager to see the positive impact it will have on our operations.
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