Airlines Have Deployed Regional Jets for Long-Haul Routes

Carriers are using fuel-efficient Embraer E2 aircraft to serve thinner leisure markets across the globe.

Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in Air Travel

Bold vector editorial illustration of a regional jet silhouette against a plain background, representing modern, efficient air travel strategy. — Airlines are increasingly deploying regional jets like the Embraer E2 to maintain viable long-haul routes to popular vacation destinations worldwide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you prefer using smaller regional jets for more direct flights to your holiday destinations?

Airlines have increasingly turned to 132-seat Embraer E195-E2 jets to operate long-duration leisure flights exceeding five hours. The regional aircraft allow carriers to connect distant locations without the seat-supply risks associated with larger, 180-seat narrowbody planes.

Why it matters

Lower trip costs and efficient performance enable airlines to test and maintain thin routes that would otherwise be commercially non-viable. The jet's 2+2 cabin configuration also offers enhanced passenger comfort by eliminating middle seats.

The Embraer E195-E2 provides a full-passenger range of 3,000 nautical miles and burns 29% less fuel than previous-generation E-Jets. These aircraft typically seat 132 passengers in a single-class configuration.

The players

Embraer

This Brazilian aerospace conglomerate is a leading manufacturer of regional jets and is headquartered in São José dos Campos.

Porter Airlines

Based in Canada, this airline operates an extensive fleet of over 50 E195-E2 aircraft for leisure and regional travel.

Airlink

This South African carrier utilizes regional jets to expand long-haul connectivity from its primary base in Cape Town.

The details

Carriers like Porter Airlines and Hunnu Air utilize the E195-E2 on routes reaching up to 2,598 miles, such as the flight from Ulaanbaatar to Phu Quoc. This strategy allows operators to bypass the high capacity requirements of larger aircraft while still serving popular vacation destinations.

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Travel Outlook

The transition to E2 aircraft follows a broader industry shift toward rightsizing capacity for seasonal tourism demand. By moving away from oversized narrowbodies, airlines are prioritizing operational efficiency during shoulder seasons and on lower-density routes.

Travelers should expect a more comfortable experience on these routes due to the 2+2 seating configuration which removes middle seats. When booking, passengers can check the aircraft type to see if their long-haul flight is served by the more spacious regional jet.

The takeaway

The deployment of regional jets for long-haul leisure travel proves that smaller capacity can increase efficiency without sacrificing passenger comfort. Airlines using these models are successfully serving markets that were previously ignored by legacy carriers.

What happens next

Airlink is set to launch its long-haul Cape Town to Mauritius route on October 2, 2026, followed by expansion plans for SAS and Finnair deliveries beginning in 2027.