On November 28th at 06:36 local time, Luxair’s state-of-the-art Embraer E195-E2, registration LX-LEA, took off from Professor Urbano Ernesto Stumpf International Airport in São José dos Campos, bound for Luxembourg, marking a historic milestone for the country’s flag carrier.

The beginnings

Luxair, originally named Société Luxembourgeoise de Navigation Aérienne S.A., is a European airline based at Luxembourg Findel Airport, with a current fleet of Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Dash 8, and now also Embraer E195-E2 aircraft.

The airline is the successor to Luxembourg Airlines Company, which began operations in the 1940s. Luxair was founded in 1961 and launched flights the following year with a Fokker F27 Friendship, initially on the Luxembourg-Paris route.

Over the years, Luxair developed its connectivity within Europe, as well as to other continents, such as Africa and Asia, with the introduction of new aircraft to its fleet. Lockheed L-1649A Starliner, Vickers Viscount, Sud Aviation Caravelle, Boeing 707-300, Boeing 737-200, Boeing 737-400, Boeing 737-500, Boeing 747SP, Boeing 767-300(ER), CRJ-701, Embraer EMB-120 Brasilia, Embraer 135, Embraer 145, and Fokker 50 operated for the carrier.

By early 1990s, the Luxembourg airline began the acquisition of its first Embraer aircraft, all of which were brand new from the factory. Embraer EMB-120ER Brasilias, Embraer ERJ-135LRs, and Embraer ERJ-145LUs arrived in Luxembourg from São José dos Campos during the next 10 years.

The first Embraer

Luxair’s first Embraer aircraft were the EMB-120ER Brasilia, added as of December 1991. These Embraers operated for Luxair Commuter between 1991 and 1997, its subsidiary for short flights, which ceased operations in April 1997. They were withdrawn from Luxair before the 2000s.

While its E120 Brasilia aircraft were retired, Luxair incorporated its first Embraer 145s, with registration numbers LX-LGT and LX-LGU, configured for 50 passengers, which enabled it to strengthen its operations within Europe from/to the country’s capital.

Seven more brand new E145s were introduced by Luxair between April 1999 and March 2001, receiving the registrations LX-LGV, LX-LGX, LX-LGY, LX-LGZ, LX-LGI, and LX-LGJ. Furthermore, in 2005, the carrier added its first and only two Embraer 135s to its fleet, also new from the factory.

In 2016, all Embraer aircraft had been withdrawn from its fleet, being replaced by De Havilland Canada DHC-8-400s, which were introduced beginning in 2007.

Brand new E195-E2

Eight years later, the Luxembourg-based airline announced its order for new Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, marking the start of its fleet renewal process, also including the addition of brand new Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft, having an order for two aircraft with options for two more.

Luxair placed a firm order for six Embraer E195-E2 aircraft plus three additional options, with plans to begin regular flights using these aircraft starting in January 2026. The first aircraft is already in Europe, and this was its delivery flight.

At 14:02 local time on November 29th, the first Embraer E195-E2 landed at Luxembourg’s Findel Airport. The entire delivery flight, São José dos Campos – Recife – Gran Canaria – Luxembourg, lasted approximately a day and a half, covering 11 hours of flight time, with Recife – Gran Canaria being the longest leg.

Since its arrival in Luxembourg, the aircraft has been parked awaiting entry into regular service, which is set to take place on January 15th, 2026, according to Luxair’s website.

Routes

Luxair’s current fleet consists of 22 aircraft, including four Boeing 737-700s, four Boeing 737-800s, two Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 11 Dash 8s, and one Embraer E195-E2.

With regard to new routes, Luxair plans to add eight new services for Summer 2026, some of which will be operated by the brand-new E2 aircraft.

Alicante (E195-E2), Bilbao (Dash 8), Edinburgh (E195-E2), Girona (Dash 8), Helsinki (E195-E2), Patras (737-800), Porto Santo (737-700), Tunis (E195-E2), and Zakynthos (737-800) will be added to Luxair’s regular schedule, several for the first time in its history.

Cover photo: © Julian S. – JetPhotos (Luxembourg)