Finnair has just announced a major aircraft order, which will allow the company to refresh the fleet of its regional partner.
Finnair modernizes regional fleet with Embraer E195-E2s
Finnair has placed an order for up to 46 Embraer E195-E2s, including 18 firm orders, 16 options, and 12 purchase rights. When it comes to the delivery timeline, the first plane should join the fleet in the third quarter of 2027, with three planes to be delivered in 2027, six to be delivered in 2028, and another six to be delivered in 2029.
For those not familiar with the Embraer E195-E2, this is the latest generation jet of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer’s lineup. The E195-E2 is the largest, longest range, and most fuel efficient Embraer E-jet. The plane can seat 120-146 people (depending on the configuration), and can fly up to 2,600 nautical miles. Finnair plans to configure these planes with 134 seats.
The plane is great from a passenger experience standpoint, given the 2-2 layout, meaning there are no middle seats onboard. The planes are also expected to feature USB charging at each seat, and high speed internet.
Here’s how Finnair CEO Turkka Kuusisto describes this aircraft order:
“With this investment, we are well positioned to offer our customers a growing, attractive network, as well as excellent reliability and customer experience. Introduction of the new E195-E2 aircraft to our fleet also reduces our CO₂ footprint, advancing our climate targets.”
“The Embraer E195-E2 is a great match for our needs, enabling a stronger regional network that both strengthens connectivity to and from Finland, and efficiently feeds our long-haul network.”
These planes will fly for Finnair’s regional partner, Norra
Finnair intends to fly these Embraer E195-E2s under its Norra brand, which operates regional traffic for Finnair, with Embraer and ATR aircraft. Norra’s fleet currently consists of 12 ATR 72-500s, featuring 68-70 seats, as well as 12 Embraer E190s, configured with 100 seats.
Compared to the previous generation E190s that these planes are replacing, the E195-E2s offer 30%+ better per passenger fuel efficiency, so that’s pretty significant. As you can see, Finnair has quite some regional growth plans, since the airline is acquiring a minimum of 18 of these, compared to the 12 Embraer planes the airline currently flies (though perhaps some ATRs will be replaced as well).
This is the second “win” for Embraer in Northern Europe in recent times, as Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) also recently placed an order for the plane, with deliveries also expected as of late 2027.
Unfortunately the E-jets just aren’t popular in the US, mainly due to how our mainline vs. regional airlines are structured when it comes to pilot contracts. The E195-E2 is too large for regional airlines to operate, and I imagine legacy carriers can’t make the economics work for flying them as part of mainline fleets. However, we did see Avelo recently place an order for the plane, so that’s at least one US operator.
Bottom line
Finnair has just placed an order for the Embraer E195-E2, with a firm order for 18 planes, plus further options and purchase rights. The airline expects to take delivery of these planes starting in the second half of 2027, and they’ll operate for regional carrier Norra.
Since Norra has a fleet of 12 Embraer E190s, it sounds like we’ll see quite the modernization and growth. I look forward to seeing these planes join the fleet!
What do you make of Finnair ordering the Embraer E195-E2?
