The Embraer ERJ-170 (officially the Embraer 170) is the smallest member of the Embraer E-Jet family, designed for short to medium-haul regional routes. It marked a major step forward for Embraer, transitioning from the smaller ERJ-145 series to a new generation of modern, spacious, and jetliner-like regional aircraft.

🛩️ Overview:

• Role: Regional jet airliner
• Manufacturer: Embraer (Brazil)
• First flight: February 19, 2002
• Entered service: March 2004 (with LOT Polish Airlines)
• Family: Embraer E-Jet Series (E170, E175, E190, E195)
• Status: In service; replaced in production by newer E-Jets and E2 variants

🛠️ Key Specifications (ERJ-170):

• Engines: 2 × General Electric CF34-8E turbofan engines
• Thrust: ~14,200 lbf (63 kN) each
• Length: 29.9 m (98 ft 1 in)
• Wingspan: 26 m (85 ft 4 in)
• Height: 9.85 m (32 ft 4 in)
• Cruise speed: Mach 0.78 (515–530 mph / 829–850 km/h)
• Range: ~2,150 nautical miles (3,982 km)
• Service ceiling: 41,000 ft (12,500 m)
• Typical seating: 66–76 passengers in two-class layout
• Maximum seating: 78 passengers
• Crew: 2 pilots + 2 cabin crew

✨ Design Highlights:

• 2–2 seating (no middle seats!) for passenger comfort
• First Embraer aircraft to feature fly-by-wire controls
• Wide, quiet cabin with large windows and overhead bins
• Designed from scratch for jet operations—not a stretched turboprop like some competitors
• Common cockpit with E175, E190, and E195 = pilot type rating flexibility

🧳 Major Operators:

• LOT Polish Airlines (launch customer)
• Air France HOP!
• Alitalia (former operator)
• J-Air (Japan Airlines)
• Republic Airways (for various U.S. carriers in the past)
• Also operated by various regional and charter airlines in Europe, Asia, and South America

🔁 Related Variant: E170-E2

• Planned next-generation version with more efficient engines and systems
• Never developed due to limited market interest in aircraft under 80 seats in the E2 class

🔥 Fun Facts:

• The E170 launched Embraer's transformation into a global leader in regional jets
• Known for airliner-level comfort in a compact package—many passengers are surprised it's a regional jet
• Its success laid the foundation for the much larger and widely used E190 and E195
• Used to replace turboprops and older regional jets like the BAe 146 and Fokker 70

🏁 Summary:

The Embraer ERJ-170 is a compact, efficient, and comfortable regional jet ideal for thinner routes where a full-size jet isn't viable. As the foundation of the E-Jet family, it helped Embraer capture a significant share of the regional jet market and set a new standard for passenger experience in this segment.