American Airlines buys 90 jets from Embraer, Bombardier

American Airlines kicked off its freshly minted status as the world's largest carrier Thursday with an aggressive order for $3.9 billion worth of regional jets from Brazil's Embraer and Canada's Bombardier.

Three days after completing its merger with US Airways, the new American said it had inked deals to buy 30 CJR900 NextGen aircraft from Bombardier, and 60 Embraer E175s.
Bombardier said its deal was worth $1.42 billion, while Embraer put a $2.5 billion value on its order.
American also has options to buy an additional 40 CJR900s and 90 E175s.
American said the 76-seat regional jets ordered will replace less efficient 50-seat jets it currently operates on short- and medium-haul flights.
They will all be flown under the American Eagle regional brand.
The CJR900s, which will be delivered beginning in the second quarter of next year, will be configured with 12 first-class seats, 32 "main cabin extra" seats and 32 regular seats, American said.