Envoy Air, a vital regional affiliate of American Airlines, has officially taken delivery of its 121st Embraer E175 aircraft, registered N316GS. This milestone marks a significant step in Envoy’s ongoing fleet modernization and its efforts to enhance the regional service it provides across the United States under the American Eagle brand.
Multi-leg delivery flight: N316GS journey to Abilene
The new aircraft, which was delivered on November 23, 2024, embarked on a multi-leg delivery flight, flying from São José dos Campos (SJK) in Brazil to its final destination in Abilene, Texas. The aircraft’s ferry flight included several stopovers at key airports: from São José dos Campos, it flew to Manaus (MAO), followed by a stop at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and then Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), before completing its final leg to Abilene (ABI).
Once N316GS arrived at Envoy’s maintenance base in Abilene, it underwent a thorough induction process, which was essential to ensure the aircraft was fully ready for passenger service. During this process, the aircraft was carefully inspected, and its systems were tested to ensure everything was functioning as expected. Crew members also underwent specific training to familiarize themselves with the aircraft’s systems and operations. This final step in the handover process ensures the E175 is configured to meet the high operational standards required for American Airlines’ regional network.
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
A closer look at Envoy’s fleet
Envoy’s growing fleet of Embraer E175 aircraft is a key part of the airline’s strategy to modernize its regional fleet. With the addition of N316GS, Envoy now operates over 120 of these aircraft, making the E175 the backbone of its operations, with an average fleet age of 10 years.
Photo: Wenjie Zheng | Shutterstock
It includes 43 older E170s averaging 19 years, and 121 newer Embraer E175s, which are the airline’s primary regional aircraft with an average age of 6.8 years. These aircraft are central to Envoy’s operations, providing a mix of capacity and efficiency on American Eagle’s regional routes. Envoy Air previously operated a fleet of Bombardier CRJ-700s, but these have now been entirely replaced by the more modern Embraer E175s, according to the data on Planespotters.net.
Photo: LJ Jones | Shutterstock
Seat configuration and amenities
According to American, the E170 features 65 seats, with 12 in First Class, 20 in Main Cabin Extra, and 33 in the Main Cabin. Passengers in all classes on the E170 have limited amenities. Be aware that WiFi function may not be fleetwide. Seat pitches range from 30″ in Main Cabin to 37″ in First Class, and seat widths range from 18.2″ to 19.3″.
In contrast, the E175, which carries 76 passengers, offers more modern features, including WiFi and personal device entertainment across all classes. The aircraft’s configuration includes 12 First Class seats, 20 in Main Cabin Extra, and 44 in Main Cabin. First Class and Main Cabin Extra seats have a 37″ and 34″ seat pitch, respectively, while Main Cabin offers 30″. Though power outlets are not available, the E175 provides enhanced comfort and connectivity compared to the E170.
Source: Simple Flying
