The Embraer ERJ-135 is the smallest member of Embraer’s original ERJ regional jet family, designed as a short-haul airliner with many of the same features and systems as its larger siblings, the ERJ-140 and ERJ-145. Compact, efficient, and reliable, the ERJ-135 is especially popular for lower-demand routes, charters, and even military and executive transport.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Regional jet airliner
• Manufacturer: Embraer (Brazil)
• First flight: July 4, 1998
• Entered service: July 1999 (with Continental Express)
• Status: No longer in production, but widely in service
• Family: Part of the ERJ family (135/140/145)

🛠️ Key Specifications (ERJ-135LR):

• Engines: 2 × Rolls-Royce AE 3007A1 turbofan engines
• Thrust: ~7,000 lbf (31 kN) each
• Length: 26.33 m (86 ft 5 in)
• Wingspan: 20.04 m (65 ft 9 in)
• Height: 6.75 m (22 ft 2 in)
• Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (518 mph / 833 km/h)
• Range (LR): ~1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km)
• Service ceiling: 37,000 ft (11,300 m)
• Seating: Up to 37 passengers in a single-class layout
• Crew: 2 pilots + 1 flight attendant

✨ Design Highlights:

• 1–2 seating layout (no middle seats)
• Shares cockpit, avionics, and systems with ERJ-140 and ERJ-145
• Small enough to operate into regional airports with short runways
• Offers a jet-speed upgrade for routes previously served by turboprops
• Known for its high dispatch reliability and ease of maintenance

🧳 Typical Operators (past & present):

• Envoy Air (American Eagle)
• Loganair (UK)
• BMI Regional (UK, former)
• Airlink (South Africa)
• Several charter and executive operators
• Military users: Brazil, Greece, India (VIP/government transport)

🔁 Variants:

• ERJ-135ER – Standard range version
• ERJ-135LR – Long-range version with increased fuel capacity
• Legacy 600/650 – Heavily modified bizjet version
• R-99/E-99 – Military variants for surveillance, radar, and electronic warfare

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The ERJ-135 has 93% parts commonality with the ERJ-145, making it cost-effective for mixed fleets
• It was often used on thin routes where a 50-seat jet would be too big
• Still used today for VIP transport, air ambulance, and charter flights
• Its size makes it ideal for private or corporate conversion

🏁 Summary:

The Embraer ERJ-135 is a compact, versatile regional jet that offers jet-speed service for routes that don’t justify larger aircraft. Though overshadowed by the ERJ-145 in commercial use, it’s still flying in niche roles around the world thanks to its commonality, performance, and reliability.