American Eagle Airlines next month will take delivery of the first two of 22 CRJ700s it has on order, the first new aircraft the regional will receive in five years. Speaking to reporters at the Regional Airlines Assn. Annual Convention in Milwaukee, President and CEO Peter Bowler said that "virtually all" of the new jets will be based at either New York JFK or La Guardia.
The new aircraft will bring Eagle's CRJ700 fleet to 47. From July 1, all Eagle CRJs will feature dual-class seating with nine first class and 54 economy seats. First class food and beverage service will be offered on all flights over 2 hours. Bowler said that 18 of the 25 current CRJ700s already have been reconfigured. Most of the existing CRJs are dedicated to Chicago O'Hare services, he said. "You'll be seeing most of the [47 CRJs] flying in New York or Chicago," he noted.