Virgin’s first E190-E2 inbound!

Virgin Australia has a long history with Embraer, having flown the E170 and E190 during its Virgin Blue days. Those jets helped the airline expand into thinner markets where a Boeing 737 was too much aircraft, and passengers often praised their 2-2 seating and quiet cabins.

By the mid-2010s the E-Jets were phased out, with Virgin consolidating around the 737 and leaving regional flying largely to Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) and its Fokkers. For a time, it seemed the Embraer era was over.

Now, that’s set to change. Virgin has announced plans to bring the brand-new Embraer E190-E2 into VARA’s fleet. This next-generation jet offers major improvements over the originals — from Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan engines and redesigned wings to double-digit gains in fuel efficiency and lower emissions — while keeping the passenger-friendly cabin layout that made the type popular.

For Australia, the E190-E2 is a natural fit. With around 100 seats and impressive range, it can cover everything from FIFO services in WA to regional city links on the east coast. The aircraft also positions Virgin strongly against QantasLink’s incoming Airbus A220s and Rex’s expanding 737 fleet, giving it a modern, efficient jet that sits perfectly between a turboprop and a mainline narrowbody.

For Embraer, the return of the E-Jet to Virgin’s fleet is a welcome development, strengthening its foothold in the Australian market and proving the E2’s capability in long-distance, high-utilisation environments. The type’s versatility could even open the door to routes previously overlooked by larger aircraft, providing new opportunities for growth.

For spotters and frequent flyers, the return of Embraer to Virgin skies is both nostalgic and forward-looking: a nod to the past, but with the latest technology leading the way.