Credit: Julie Stamenic
On Saturday 17 January 2026, Luxair marked the official inauguration of its new Embraer E195-E2 with a special flight from Luxembourg to Vienna, celebrated in the presence of Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works, alongside the airline and airport partners.
While the E195-E2 entered commercial service earlier this week, Luxair selected the Luxembourg - Vienna rotation on 17 January as the official inauguration flight.
Gilles Feith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Luxair, said: "With the official inauguration of our Embraer E195-E2 today, we are opening a new chapter for Luxair. This aircraft is a key pillar of our fleet renewal and a long-term investment in the future of our airline, offering passengers greater comfort and reliability, while delivering more efficient, quieter and lower-emission operations. I would like to thank our teams and our partners, including Embraer, lux-Airport and Vienna Airport, as well as Minister Backes for honouring us with her presence on this special occasion."
Minister Backes stated: "The new Embraer aircraft is an important milestone for Luxembourg’s airline Luxair and kicks off its ambitious fleet renewal programme with a long-term investment to modernise operations, strengthen service quality, ensure a long-term resilience and enhance the country’s connectivity for the future. This aircraft also helps to perform quieter operations with a significant noise reduction and finally represents an important contribution to reduce CO2 emissions offering more sustainable operations in aviation."
Prior to departure, Luxair hosted a brief ceremony at Luxembourg Airport, including a ribbon-cutting moment attended by Minister Backes and Gilles Feith, as well as Alexander Flassak, CEO of lux-Airport, and Marie-Louise Philippe, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing and Head of Europe and Central Asia at Embraer, alongside passengers.
The ceremony highlighted the E195-E2 as a new cornerstone of Luxair's fleet renewal programme, designed to strengthen the airline's competitiveness, efficiency and sustainability, while enhancing the travel experience for customers.
Upon arrival in Vienna, the delegation was welcomed by Julian Jäger, joint CEO and CCO of Vienna Airport, and his team. The programme included an apron reception, photo opportunities in front of the aircraft and an onboard visit to showcase key passenger features, followed by a dedicated visit for plane spotters who won a Vienna Airport competition.
Julian Jäger said: "We are proud that Vienna was chosen for the official inauguration flight of Luxair's new Embraer aircraft - a strong signal of our close and forward-looking partnership. The presence of Luxembourg's Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Yuriko Backes, underlines the importance of this occasion. This aircraft combines cutting-edge efficiency with Austrian engineering expertise, as many of its components are developed by local suppliers. Today marks the beginning of a new chapter - for Luxair, and for more sustainable air travel in Europe."
The Embraer E195-E2 is the first of six aircraft firmly ordered by Luxair, with options for another three. Together with forthcoming Boeing 737 aircraft, the E2 family forms a key pillar of Luxair's modernisation strategy. The E195-E2 is said to combine technical innovation with sustainability and passenger comfort. Key benefits cited by Luxair include: lower emissions (up to 29% less fuel burn compared to previous-generation aircraft); reduced noise footprint (up to 35% quieter than the aircraft it replaces); an "enhanced" passenger experience (a modern cabin with 2x2 seating...); operational performance (with advanced aerodynamics and latest-generation engines).
The aircraft also brings Luxair's refreshed livery into passenger service, "placing Luxembourg's colours at the forefront in a clean, modern interpretation of the national flag on the tail, combined with a bolder Luxair logo for stronger visibility."
Marie-Louise Philippe, Senior Vice President Sales & Marketing and Head of Europe and Central Asia at Embraer, commented: "It's a pleasure to see Luxair introduce the first E195-E2 into its fleet. The aircraft is perfectly right-sized for Luxair's network, offering the ideal balance of capacity, efficiency and sustainability. With its advanced technology and passenger comfort features, the E2 family will help Luxair strengthen its competitiveness while delivering an exceptional travel experience."
(Photo credit: Julie Stamenic)
