A Republic Airlines Embraer 175 lands at Cleveland while operating for US Airways. This aircraft, and others, will soon feature First-Class accomodations. Photo: Tanner Johnson - OPShots.net
US Airways Express’ largest regional jets by February 2012 will be retrofitted with a first-class cabin under a $35 million plan unveiled by the carrier.
The retrofit will start in October when 38 Embraer 175s operated for US Airways by Republic Airways Holdings currently offering 86 seats across a single class will be upgraded with an eight-seat, first-class cabin in a 1×2 configuration.
A further 20 Embraer 170s also operated by Republic, 38 Bombardier CRJ900s contracted from Mesa Air Group and 14 CRJ700s operated by US Airways’ wholly owned subsidiary PSA will also be retrofitted by the end of January 2012, with nine seats up front across the three types.
The changes will be revenue-positive in the first year of operation due to the higher value of the seats’ fares and upgrade sales, notes US Airways. With the new configuration, the 70-seat CRJ700s lose just three seats when retrofitted, while the CRJ900s and E-170s drop seven economy seats to accommodate the new first-class cabin.
via US Airways Latest Adds First Class To RJs | AVIATION WEEK.
