American Airlines has modified an Embraer 170 regional jet by installing a table on a window seat, deliberately rendering it unusable. The move circumvents pilot contract provisions tied to aircraft capacity thresholds.
The airline blocks one seat to maintain the aircraft at 65 total seats rather than 66. This distinction matters because pilot union contracts include scope clauses that restrict how many regional jets American can outsource to regional carriers based on seating capacity. A 66-seat regional jet would trigger stricter limitations on flying those aircraft, forcing American to operate more flights with mainline pilots instead of cheaper regional crews.
This tactic exposes the ongoing tension between major carriers and pilot unions over outsourcing. Regional airlines operating under American Eagle, SkyWest, and other carriers have long served as cost-saving mechanisms for big three carriers, enabling them to deploy smaller aircraft on thinner routes without paying mainline pilot wages. But pilot contracts at American, United, and Delta contain scope clauses designed to protect mainline pilot jobs and flying opportunities.
The Embraer 170 fits regional operations perfectly. With 76 to 78 standard seats, it offers decent capacity for mid-range markets. By deploying a 65-seat version, American stays under thresholds that would create expensive complications with its pilot contract.
For passengers, this delivers a modest downside. Fewer available seats means tighter load factors and potentially higher fares on affected flights. The window seat with the table offers no advantage to travelers, who still board and deplane the same aircraft with effectively reduced capacity.
American's maneuver illustrates how labor agreements shape airline operations in ways passengers rarely see. Rather than negotiate new scope terms with pilots, the airline engineers around existing ones. This approach avoids costly labor discussions but adds operational quirks that ripple through the revenue system.
Other carriers employ similar strategies. Southwest,