The biggest order in 30 years: SAS secures dozens of Embraer E195-E2s
July 1, 2025
Scandinavian airline SAS has signed a firm order for 45 Embraer E195-E2 jets. The airline includes options for a further 10, bringing the final fleet size to a potential 55 aircraft.
The deal is valued at around SEK37 billion (approximately $4 billion) and deliveries are set to begin in late 2027.
SAS CEO Anko van Der Werff described the order as a ‘defining moment’ for SAS, noting that it’s the largest order the airline has placed since 1996.
How SAS plans to deploy the E195-E2
The airline already has 13 Embraer E195 in its fleet, with an average age of 14.1 years. The new aircraft will replace the existing E195 aircraft, and could also supplant the wet-leased ATRs and Bombardier CRJs in the fleet.
Notably, however, the company intends to plug the gaps in its network created by the sale of regional carrier Widerøe a decade ago.
The aircraft will be inducted into the SAS regional carrier SAS Link, where they will mainly be used to connect northern parts of Norway and Sweden with the rest of the SAS network.
SAS will benefit from the efficiencies of the Embraer E195-E2
The E195-E2 is more than just a re-engined EJet. The modifications Embraer made to its popular regional platform lead to more of a clean sheet redesign than the typical incremental improvements seen between types.
Aerodynamic improvements, a brand new wing and more efficient Pratt & Whitney GTF engines mean the E2 burns around 25% less fuel per seat than its predecessor. It’s also approximately 50% quieter than the EJet, adding to its appeal for potentially noise-sensitive Nordic markets.
With a very slightly stretched cabin, the E195-E2 can seat around 10 additional passengers compared with the E1. Upgraded systems means the E2 has up to 20% lower maintenance costs too.
Commonality with the E1 means the E2 will be straightforward to integrate into the fleet, giving SAS a route to modernisation, lower trip costs and a competitive base from which to build an even better regional network.
The order will be a welcome addition to Embraer’s books after it lost out to the Airbus A220 in a significant order from LOT.
