United Airlines has placed an order for 30 Embraer 175 jets, with options for another 40. If all the options are taken, the total order value will be about $2.9 billion at current list prices.

Paulo Cesar Silva, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation, said: “With this order for the new enhanced E175 jet, we are delighted to reinforce and extend our long-standing partnership with United Airlines. It was the ERJ 145 launch customer back in 1996, when it was known as Continental Airlines.

“This order validates our investment strategy in the E-Jets, where we offer an optimised product with all of the additional benefits of a proven and mature platform. The E175 has proven itself to be the best product for the US regional market for the next decade and beyond.”

The E175s will be operated under the United Express brand, and the first delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2014.

As the leader in the 70 to 120-seat jet segment, Embraer continues to invest in the E-Jets family, which is flown by over 60 airlines from more than 40 countries. The company has begun implementing a series of enhancements to the E175, including new wingtips, systems optimisation, and aerodynamic refinements that will cut fuel consumption by as much as 5%.