American Airlines to Introduce RECARO R2 Seats on Embraer E175
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American Airlines will become the first U.S. airline to introduce RECARO Aircraft Seating’s R2 seats on the Embraer E175, with the seats expected to enter service this fall. Embraer has delivered the first E175 featuring the R2, which includes a six-way adjustable headrest, tablet holder, and slim backrest to provide passengers with more personal space and knee clearance. The introduction marks another milestone in RECARO’s partnership with Embraer as American works to improve the passenger experience across its fleet.
The R2: Designed for Passenger Comfort on Regional Flights
RECARO developed the R2 economy-class seat for short- and medium-haul flights, focusing on passenger comfort and personal space. The seat features a six-way adjustable headrest that allows passengers to find their preferred seating position, along with a tablet holder for personal electronic devices.
Furthermore, the R2 features a slim backrest designed to maximize knee clearance and give passengers additional room within the aircraft’s cabin. American will customize the seats with its signature dress covers to complement the E175’s new interior finishes, creating a more consistent onboard experience for passengers connecting between regional and mainline flights.
“As the first U.S. airline to introduce RECARO seats on an Embraer 175 aircraft, we’re continuing to raise the base for regional travel,” said American Airlines Senior Vice President of Customer Experience Design and Strategy Rhonda Crawford. “Our goal is to deliver the elevated experience customers want, while creating greater consistency across the American travel experience.”
Beyond the passenger-facing features, American selected the R2 partly because of its pre-certification qualifications and ability to meet the airline’s entry-into-service timeline. The decision highlights how certification requirements and aircraft delivery schedules can influence an airline’s choice of seating products.
RECARO and Embraer Expand Their Seating Partnership
The American Airlines program marks another milestone in RECARO’s partnership with Embraer, which enters its third year. It also brings the R2 to the U.S. E175 market for the first time, expanding the seating manufacturer’s presence in regional aviation.
Embraer continues developing the E175 to meet changing airline and passenger expectations. The introduction of the R2 gives operators another seating option as they look to upgrade their cabins while continuing to operate the existing aircraft platform.
“The E175 has built an unmatched reputation by continuously evolving to meet the needs of airlines and passengers,” said Embraer Commercial Aviation President and CEO Arjan Meijer. “The introduction of our new RECARO seats demonstrates our commitment to investing in the platform and delivering enhancements that improve passenger experience while creating additional value for operators.”
For RECARO, American’s selection represents an opportunity to strengthen its relationship with Embraer and expand the R2’s presence in the U.S. market. The program further demonstrates how aircraft and seating manufacturers can work together to introduce new cabin products that meet airline operational requirements.
“As we enter our third year of partnership with Embraer, we’re proud that our seating solutions, like the best-selling R2, continue to deliver the comfort, quality, and reliability our customers expect,” said RECARO Aircraft Seating CEO and Shareholder Mark Hiller. “Seeing our R2 seat enter the U.S. market on an Embraer E175 for the first time with American Airlines is a significant milestone for RECARO and a testament to our team’s dedication and expertise.”
The announcement follows RECARO’s August introduction of its next-generation R4 premium class seat, which succeeds the PL3530. The R4 features a 16-inch monitor, six-way adjustable headrest, privacy wings, ambient lighting, and additional customization options for airlines. RECARO began delivering the R4 in June 2026, with the first seats expected to enter passenger service later this year.