HOUSTON, Texas — October 2, 2026 — CommuteAir debuted an Embraer ERJ145XR in CommuteAir livery that will fly as part of its charter fleet, adding a second aircraft type to the airline’s growing charter operation. The aircraft was unveiled at an employee reception at CommuteAir’s maintenance hangar in Houston. The reveal comes on the heels of CommuteAir receiving broad international operating authority from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), clearing the way for international charter flights under Open Skies and other bilateral agreements.
The ERJ145XR joins CommuteAir’s Embraer E170s in charter service, which the airline has operated under its own brand since 2024. The extended-range 50-seat jet gives charter customers a right-sized option for smaller groups and longer missions, while the E170 continues to serve larger groups.
“This aircraft wears our name, and it carries everything that name stands for,” said Rick Hoefling, President and CEO of CommuteAir. “Charter is an intentional part of our long-term strategy to grow and diversify our business. With international authority now in hand and the ERJ145XR alongside our E170, we can match the right aircraft to each customer’s needs, and deliver the same Safe, Caring, Dependable and Efficient operation our people bring to every flight.”
Open Skies Opens New Doors
On September 16, 2026, CommuteAir announced that the DOT had granted it broad international operating authority. The authority allows CommuteAir to operate international charter flights under the United States’ Open Skies agreements and other air service agreements, extending the reach of a charter business that until now flew domestic missions.
CommuteAir’s first international charter flights are scheduled for November 2026 to the Bahamas, operated with the airline’s ERJ145XR and E170 aircraft. The first charter flights on the ERJ145 are scheduled for early October. CommuteAir is purchasing two additional ERJ145 aircraft which are scheduled to close by November.
CommuteAir’s charter service is built for group transportation, including:
- Corporate shuttles and incentive travel
- Professional and collegiate sports teams
- Casino and leisure charters
- Tour operators and other group travel
The aircraft are marketed for charters under a partnership with Wheels Up and more information can be found at https://www.commuteair.com/charters/.
ABOUT COMMUTEAIR
Founded in 1989, CommuteAir is a regional airline headquartered in Westlake, Ohio. CommuteAir’s more than 1,000 employees operate scheduled passenger service flights on behalf of United Airlines operating as United Express across the United States and to Mexico from hubs at Washington Dulles and Houston Intercontinental airports using a fleet of 46 Embraer ERJ145XR 50-seat aircraft. The company also provides charter service under its own brand utilizing 76-seat Embraer E170 and 50-seat ERJ145XR aircraft.