Embraer

Embraer ERJ family

The Embraer ERJ family, short for Embraer Regional Jet, is a series of twin‑engine, narrow‑body airliners that sparked a new era for regional aviation when it entered service in the late 1990s. Developed by the Brazilian manufacturer Embraer, the program began with the ERJ‑135, a 37‑seat jet that first flew in 1995 and received certification in 1996. Building on that success, Embraer introduced the slightly larger ERJ‑140 (44 seats) and the ERJ‑145 (50 seats), which quickly became the backbone of many regional carriers worldwide because of their low operating costs, quick turnaround times and ability to serve airports with shorter runways.

Key features of the ERJ family include a 2‑2 cabin layout, modern Honeywell or Pratt & Canada PW120 engines, fly‑by‑wire‑assisted flight controls, and a digital avionics suite that offers both reliability and ease of maintenance. The aircraft’s high‑by‑wing design provides excellent climb performance while keeping fuel burn efficient.

The ERJ series transformed regional markets by providing a jet‑level experience at turboprop cost, expanding route networks for airlines in North America, Europe and Latin America, and establishing Embraer as a dominant player in the regional jet segment.

Production & History

First Flight
1995

Design & Classification

Country of Origin
Manufacturer
Embraer
Developer
Embraer
Operator
Piedmont Airlines
Wikidata ID
Q109423211

External References