Pittsburgh International Airport Welcomes New American Airlines Flights, Aircraft

The Embraer 175 aircraft from American Airlines embarked on its first departure from Pittsburgh International Airport to Chicago following a news conference and ceremonial water cannon salute on Friday.

“Partnership is one of the keystones to our region’s success and that applies to airline service as well," Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. 

American’s E-175s will be operated by Republic Airlines, a subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings. They are the first large regional jets offered by American Airlines in the company’s history. The addition of this aircraft to the American Airlines network will provide customers with enhanced comfort and more choices when flying with American.

The E-175s, branded with the new American Eagle livery, will phase into operation at approximately two to three aircraft per month beginning in August. The company expects to have 47 E-175s in service by 2015.

American’s 76-seat E-175 is designed to enhance customer comfort by providing 12 first-class seats and 64 main-cabin seats, including 20 with Main Cabin Extra, which offer customers more legroom and priority boarding. The aircraft features larger overhead bins, so customers will be able to fit their standard 22-inch carry-on in the plane with ease.

David Minnotte, chairman, Allegheny County Airport Authority, said he is thrilled that American Airlines has chosen Pittsburgh for one of the E-175’s initial destinations.  

"We have enjoyed a rich working partnership with American, which has flown from (Pittsburgh) for the past 60 years, and with Republic Airways for the past eight years with its (Pittsburgh) maintenance facility and crew base,” Minnotte said. “Pittsburgh International Airport has always pioneered many aviation firsts and we are pleased to be part of this important occasion.”

Chuck Schubert, American’s vice president-network planning, said that for the first time in American Airlines history, the company is offering large regional jet flying as an option.

“In addition to strengthening our longstanding partnership with Republic Airways, this is a strong step forward in the diversification of our fleet and an important enhancement from one of our key hubs," Schubert said. "It’s also great news for our customers, who will now have even more flight choices and opportunities to travel in the first-class cabin.”

According to Embraer, the flight versatility, operational efficiency and cabin design offered by the E-175 allow airlines to operate these aircraft in a variety of markets where 70- to 110-seat-configured regional jets offer natural growth from traditional regional airplanes, a right-sizing option from larger equipment, as well as a step forward for low cost carriers to enhance their presence in mid-size markets.

According to a press release from the Allegheny County Airport Authority, American Airlines offers flights to five destinations from Pittsburgh:  Dallas-Fort Worth (five a day), New York JFK (one a day), Miami (two a day), Chicago ORD (seven a day), and Los Angeles (1 a day, beginning Aug. 27).

"Pittsburgh is proud to welcome American and Republic Airlines’ new regional aircraft and its flights to the Pittsburgh International Airport," Fitzgerald said. "We continue to see successes here with improved access and choice to Chicago and Los Angeles, and look forward to continuing to work with American to add even more flights for our region’s business and leisure travelers moving forward.”