Embraer E2 Jets Gain Ground in South America Against Airbus A220

The market for small narrowbody jets, while smaller than that for mainline aircraft, remains significant with steady demand, particularly in regional and short-haul operations. Embraer has traditionally been a strong competitor in this segment with its E-Jet family surpassing nearly 2,000 orders since inception. However, the company’s modernized E2 family has faced stiff competition from the Airbus A220, which has captured a large share of the global market since its launch, benefiting from Bombardier's original design and Airbus’ backing.

Despite the A220 maintaining global market leadership overall, Embraer's E2 has made significant inroads, recording its strongest sales year in 2025 with 154 orders. This momentum is particularly evident in South America, Embraer's home base, where two major regional customers have ordered a combined 44 E195-E2 jets in the past 12 months. This builds on an earlier foundational order from Azul, a regional Brazilian airline that chose Embraer’s product early in the E2’s life cycle.

On July 21, 2026, Colombia-based Abra Group placed an order for 20 E195-E2 jets, with additional purchase options for ten and purchase rights for 15 more. Abra Group has controlling stakes in Avianca and GOL and investments in Wamos and Sky, making this a commanding show of confidence in Embraer’s E2. This followed LATAM Airlines Group’s September 2025 order of 24 E195-E2s with 50 options, cementing Embraer’s E2 jets as a formidable choice for South American operators.

In contrast, the Airbus A220 has found comparatively limited traction in South America, with only one local airline, FlyBondi from Argentina, placing an order. FlyBondi’s order stands at 15 A220s plus options for five more. Globally, the E2’s sales are about half that of the A220, but the recent South American shift shows how regional market dynamics and airline group strategies impact aircraft preferences.

The E2’s success in South America comes amid orders from other global operators. Finnair placed an order for 18 E195-E2s in early 2026. Other recent buyers include SAS, All Nippon Airways, and Avelo Airlines, signaling a diversified customer base. The E195-E2 is roughly comparable in size to Airbus’s A220-100 variant and has secured over 400 orders worldwide, dwarfing the sales of the smaller E190-E2 variant, which stands around 68 units.

Design-wise, the E2 series enhances its predecessor’s robust platform with modern features such as redesigned wings with raked wingtips, Pratt & Whitney PW1900G geared turbofan engines, new landing gear, horizontal stabilizers, and a fly-by-wire flight control system. While the wing structure remains primarily metal rather than composite due to cost-benefit considerations, the aircraft benefits from reduced maintenance costs and longer intervals, key factors for airline economics.

A critical factor in the E2's market position versus the A220 is availability and acquisition cost. The A220 is noted for its capabilities but carries a higher price tag and longer delivery timelines due to production backlogs and engine supply constraints. The E2 can often be delivered sooner and at a lower cost, making it attractive for carriers not requiring the A220’s extended range or takeoff performance.

Operational considerations also influence airline choices. The E2 shares crew and parts commonality with the widely deployed original E-Jet series, simplifying fleet integration and lowering operating costs. The A220, being a more distinct design lineage, lacks such commonality but offers a higher payload and longer range, suiting different route profiles. Consequently, decisions between the two aircraft often hinge on an airline’s specific network strategy and pilot labor agreements, especially concerning scope clauses, which impact the E175-E2’s market, resulting in its development pause.

This nuanced competition reveals that while the A220 dominates the global small narrowbody market, Embraer’s E2 jets continue to thrive on South America’s regional routes, balancing cost, availability, and operational flexibility. The recent sizable orders underscore Embraer’s regained influence on its home continent and showcase the evolving preferences among regional jet operators globally.