Virgin Australia has placed 8 firm orders for Embraer E190-E2 aircraft. The E190-E2 will complement Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ fleet of larger narrowbodies and ultimately replace its long-serving Fokker 100 fleet.
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The E190-E2 will be configured in Embraer’s signature two by two seating. The aircraft has a flying range of around 6 hours and is powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1900G engines. The new aircraft will support the creation of 150 new, WA-based jobs in the VARA business over the next three years.
Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new aircraft would improve performance, reliability and customer comfort “When the first new E190-E2 enters service from October 2025, it will become the first brand new aircraft in the WA charter market this century,” she said.
“The E190-E2 is the most fuel-efficient aircraft in its segment and will reduce emissions by about 30 per cent compared to the outgoing F100. These aircraft also feature significantly lower noise profiles and enhanced passenger comfort. “When the E190-E2 joins the fleet from late next year it will predominantly operate charter flights for VARA, bolstering its position as a leading operator in the WA charter market.
Embraer Commercial Aviation Chief Commercial Officer Martyn Holmes said the E2 was a game changer. “We are excited to welcome Virgin Australia to the Embraer family and look forward to seeing our best in class E2 – renowned for comfort, quietness, and low emissions – take the airline to even greater heights.”
Building upon the first-generation E-Jets’ 20 years of operational excellence, the E190-E2’s enhanced aerodynamics, novel wing design, and new technologies deliver significant improvements in carbon emissions and fuel burn. It has been certified to fly with blends of up to 50% SAF and has demonstrated through test flights the engine’s operability with 100% SAF.