United Express Carrier ExpressJet to Open Base at Chicago O’Hare

An aircraft arriving at O’Hare

United Express carrier ExpressJet Airlines announced plans to open a flight crew base at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for its new fleet of Embraer E175 aircraft.

ExpressJet is in the process of hiring 600 pilots in 2019, in part to operate the E175s.

The Embraer E175 is a stretch version of the E170 and can seat 76 passengers in a dual-class configuration. It competes with the Bombardier CRJ900. The version delivered is a special 70-seat configuration with domestic first-class, premium economy lite, and coach seating.

In late 2018, SkyWest agreed to sell ExpressJet Airlines to a United Airlines joint venture with KAir Enterprises and ManaAir for approximately $70 million in cash.

ExpressJet will operate the new 25 E175s under a new contract that was awarded based on competitive bids.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)