Delegations from United Airlines and Mesa Airlines celebrated the delivery of the first of 30 E175s at a ceremony at Embraer’s factory in São José dos Campos.  The aircraft will enter revenue service in May.  Mesa Airlines plans to fly the 76-seat E-Jet on behalf of United Express from United’s Houston hub to Atlanta, Austin, New Orleans and Toronto.

United has configured the E175s with 12 seats in United First, 16 in Economy Plus and 48 seats in Economy Class.  Passengers flying in United First have access to in-seat power ports.

Mr. Luis Carlos Affonso, Embraer’s Chief Operator Officer, spoke to guests about the company’s long partnership between United Express and Continental Express.

Sandra Pineau-Boddison, Sr. VP of United Express and Jonathan Ornstein, President and CEO of the Mesa Air Group, addressed an assembly of flight crew, aircraft inspection staff, operations personnel and representatives from Embraer’s delivery team, contracts division and USA sales office.  Prior to showing a video tribute to United Airlines, a clarinetist played the airline’s familiar theme, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

Two factory employees gave Ms. Pineau-Boddison and Mr. Ornstein a gift of framed shavings of the first metal cuts from the E175 (USA registration number N88301.)  Embraer employees also gave a memorable send off to the aircraft as it departed for Chicago.  Factory and delivery team members held colorful “Love What You Fly” placards and waved goodbye as the United delegation boarded the E175.

Thiago Martins Potomatti, Quality Division; Ms. Sandra Pineau-Boddington, Sr. VP, United Express; Mr. Jonathan Ornstein, President & CEO, Mesa Air Group; Ronaldo Messias da Silva, Quality Division.

This is the first E-Jet owned by United Airlines. Mesa Airlines is a long-time Embraer customer.  It previously operated E145s.

Ferry flight passengers and crew received a warm send off with a special message from Embraer employees and the music of Gershwin.