Originally Posted by
sidestep
Many Governments and Militaries operate the E-170, not to mention Biz jet versions. I would guess they operate with fewer than 70 seats. 70 seats is no doubt the U.S. industry standard for the E-170/5, but when you talk 'certified' I think it typically refers to maximums, not minimums.
Just a hypothetical - but I could see oJ and Smisek getting together and saying 'let's put a couple 50 seat E-170s on the ORD-DCA/EWR and run it like a premium shuttle'
I hope it doesn't happen, but I wouldn't put it past jonnyO.
Yes, I thought of that as well but if they don't fill those premium seats every flight there would be a huge loss of revenue. I was thinking about that spare which has already been announced. It's the second plane that will have that inauguration party in KFLL. That aircraft could be equipped with 50 seats. It would not be difficult to add 26 seats out of another aircraft as well if the other airplane would be down for several days. I'm not sure how the contract is written and this part was probably overlooked.