it is a "regional jet" in that its design mission is comparable to other regional jets of the modern era, not modern mainline aircraft. The plane is not nearly capable of trans-continental flight... in fact a 1200 miles flight with real IFR fuel is about it for the type. Sure, mainline aircraft used to be subject to the same leg length and weight restrictions, but Fokkers and DC-9s are hardly modern. Compared to the 737 and A320, the E170-E195 is not nearly competitive in the airliner market. However, add Regional Jet to the moniker, and expectations lower immediately. Using Regional Jet is just a marketing ploy, aimed at getting airlines to compare it to CRJs, 145s, Do-Jets, and all the props out there. This makes the 170/190 stand out in a crowd. If Embraer tried to market this plane as a true airliner, it would not have sold a quarter of what it has.