SAO JOSE DOS CAMPOS, Brazil, June 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Embraer S.A. announced today at the 51st International Paris Air Show an agreement with United Airlines to add additional E175 jets to the United Express fleet. The agreement consists of ten firm orders, which will be included in Embraer's 2015 second-quarter backlog. Additionally, Embraer expects that United or one of the carriers that operates as United Express will convert options for 18 aircraft to firm orders in the near term. The ten firm orders have an estimated value of USD 444 million based on current list price.

Delivery of the first of these aircraft is expected in 2016. The E175s are configured in a dual class 76-seat layout and will operate under the United Express brand. The carrier's 76-seat jet fleet will be comprised exclusively of E175s. This latest acquisition is in addition to a previous order from United Airlines for 30 E175s in April 2013.

"Selecting the E175 as the primary aircraft for its regional fleet shows the great importance United gives to both the satisfaction of its customers and the efficiency of the operation," said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation. "Embraer and United have a long and strong partnership and we are proud that United has chosen, again, the E175, the most comfortable and the lowest operating cost in its category."

"We are thrilled to add more E175s to the regional fleet. The E175 will be used to primarily replace older, less efficient 50 seat regional jets while providing an improved passenger experience" said Ron Baur, VP Fleet.

United's E175 will be equipped with a 12 First class, 16 Economy Plus Seats, and 48 Economy seats. Wi-Fi will also be included.

The E175s feature a new wingtip that, among other technical enhancements, improves aerodynamic performance. Fuel consumption on a typical flight is 6.4% lower than first-generation E175s. In North America, the E175 is the preferred aircraft of carriers operating 76-seat jets. In the last two years, the E175 has captured over 80% of orders among aircraft in its class from airlines in the USA.

Embraer is the only manufacturer to develop a modern family of four airplanes specifically targeted for the 70- to 130-seat segment. Since the formal launch of the program in 1999, E-Jets have redefined the traditional concept of regional aircraft by operating across a range of business applications. The first E-Jet entered revenue service in 2004.

About United

United Airlines and United Express operate an average of nearly 5,000 flights a day to 373 airports across six continents. In 2014, United and United Express operated nearly two million flights carrying 138 million customers. United is proud to have the world's most comprehensive route network, including U.S. mainland hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft, and this year, the airline anticipates taking delivery of 34 new Boeing aircraft, including the 787-9 and the 737-900ER. United is also welcoming 49 new Embraer E175 aircraft to United Express. The airline is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 193 countries via 27 member airlines. More than 84,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com , follow @United on Twitter or connect on Facebook. The common stock of United's parent, United Continental Holdings, Inc., is traded on the NYSE under the symbol UAL.

About Embraer Commercial Aviation

Embraer is the world's leading manufacturer of commercial jets that seat up to 130 passengers. Nearly 900 aircraft from the 37, 44 and 50-seat ERJ 145 family of regional jets have been delivered to airlines since their introduction in 1996. The E-Jet family includes four larger aircraft that have between 70 and 130 seats. The E170, E175, E190 and E195 set the standard in their category with their advanced engineering, high degree of efficiency, spacious, ergonomic cabins with two-by-two seating, and attractive operating economics. Since E-Jets entered revenue service in 2004, Embraer has received more than 1,500 firm orders for this aircraft family. More than 1,100 have been delivered.

In 2013, Embraer launched E-Jets E2, the second generation of its E-Jets family of commercial aircraft comprised of three new aircraft – E175-E2, E190-E2, E195-E2 – seating from 70 to 130 passengers. The E190-E2 is expected to enter service in the first half of 2018. The E195-E2 is slated to enter service in 2019 and the E175-E2 in 2020.

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CONTACTS:

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SOURCE Embraer S.A.