Dubai 2015: Embraer delighted to mock the week

The mock-up is being used to explore a range of concepts for possible use in the production version of the aircraft. These include a variety of seating layouts – notably an unusual staggered arrangement for business-class passengers at the front of the cabin.

A variety of seat pitches in the economy section of the mock-up are included to give potential customers an idea of how they measure up to their particular customer requirements.

One aspect of the cabin likely to find favour with customers is overhead luggage bins 40% larger than those on the existing generation of Embraer regional jets. Traditionally, overhead luggage space has always been at a premium in regional aircraft. The proposed bins on the E2 have been designed to take a standard-size wheelie-case.

Other ideas under examination are the introduction of mood lighting and a new design of aft toilet containing minimal touch-points to make it easier for service crews to keep it clean during turnarounds.

Embraer is also examining various in-flight entertainment (IFE) options – either seatback screens or the possibility of a mounting set into the back of seats to hold an iPad or other tablet computer.

The concept for the E-Jets E2 cabin interior – developed in partnership with UK design firm PriestmanGoode – has received industry praise even before it has flown. It won the Crystal Cabin Award in the ‘industrial design and visionary concepts’ category, announced at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg in April.

Meanwhile, progress on the E2 programme continues, with the Pratt & Whitney (P&W) PurePower engine for the Embraer E190-E2 and E195-E2 making its first flight this week.

The PW1900G version of P&W’s geared turbofan flew on the engine manufacturer’s Boeing 747SP flying test bed at its Mirabel flight-test centre in Quebec, Canada.