AA Discontinues ATR`s by End of the Year, Republic FA`s Take Control

Beginning today, Republic Airways (under AA) will fly from ORD to ABQ, MSY and PIT. American will expand its ERJ 175 service as additional aircraft are phased into operation. This will be done at a rate of approximately two to three aircraft per month, with 47 ERJ 175s expected to be in service by the first quarter of 2015.
American’s ERJ 175s feature a two-class configuration with 12 First Class seats and 64 Main Cabin seats, including 20 with Main Cabin Extra (MCE). The ERJ 175 has the largest First Class cabin in American’s regional fleet and is the first to feature Main Cabin Extra seating, offering customers more legroom and priority boarding. The aircraft also features modern cabin elements including full-size overhead bins, spacious lavatories, leather seating and adjustable headrests.
Republic Airways, a longtime partner of American Airlines and the largest operator of large Embraer jets, currently operates regional jet service for American in Chicago with 15 Embraer ERJ 140 aircraft through its Chautauqua Airlines subsidiary.
American’s fleet plan calls for the transitioning out of smaller regional aircraft such as ATR 72s and ERJ 135s by the end of 2013. Deploying large regional jets such as the ERJ 175 allows American to more effectively compete by offering customers more choices with the right-size aircraft to match market demand.