Virgin Australia Adds E190-E2, Upgauges QLD Routes

Published on Nov 7, 2025, 2:18 pm CST

4 min read

Key points

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines introduced its first Embraer E190-E2 in Western Australia with additional aircraft due through 2027
Boeing 737-operated services increase on Brisbane-Townsville from November 2025 adding more than 6,000 monthly seats
Brisbane-Mount Isa moves to 737 from late July 2025 bringing a dual-cabin option on select services
E190-E2s will primarily serve Western Australia including FIFO and regional markets with an 8 Business and 92 Economy layout
More gauge flexibility should improve upgrade odds on QLD routes and enable schedule depth on WA sectors

Impact

Seats And Schedules: Expect more seats and additional frequency options on Brisbane-Townsville from November 2025 and Brisbane-Mount Isa from late July 2025
Upgrade Odds: 737 upgauges add Business Class inventory on key QLD routes improving chances for paid or complimentary upgrades on select flights
Cabin Choice In WA: E190-E2 introduction brings a consistent dual-cabin product on many WA regional sectors that were previously single-cabin or Fokker-operated
Booking Strategy: If flexibility matters, compare multiple departures on the same day as airlines deploy mixed gauges while the fleet transitions
Program Value: Status holders should watch for additional earn and redemption opportunities as more 737 and E2 seats open across the network

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines has introduced its first Embraer E190-E2 in Western Australia, the lead frame in an eight-aircraft order that will arrive through 2026 and 2027. The E2s begin replacing aging Fokker 100s and are expected to concentrate on Western Australia's regional and fly-in, fly-out sectors. In Queensland, Virgin Australia is simultaneously boosting capacity by shifting more Boeing 737s onto Brisbane-Townsville from November 2025 and deploying 737s on Brisbane-Mount Isa from late July 2025. Together, the moves add seats, a dual-cabin option, and better schedule flexibility for travelers in WA and QLD.

Fleet changes on both coasts, E190-E2s in WA and 737 upgauges in QLD, mean more capacity, Business Class availability on more flights, and extra departure choices starting mid-2025 and ramping into 2026-27.

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, fleet plan, and where the E2 fits

Virgin Australia confirmed eight E190-E2s for its regional subsidiary, with the first aircraft, Coral Bay, delivered in September and based in Perth. The jet arrived after a multi-stop ferry and is the 1,900th Embraer E-Jet delivered. Embraer marketing material and schedule filings indicate an initial Western Australia focus, with a two-class layout of 8 Business and 92 Economy seats, a modern replacement for Fokker 100s on resources and regional routes. Early commercial flying began in late October on WA sectors, including FIFO destinations. The lessor Azorra notes the aircraft is the first E190-E2 to operate with a major airline in Australia.

Latest developments

Virgin Australia says its first E190-E2 "takes off in WA," with seven more to follow through 2026-27. In parallel, the airline will increase Boeing 737-operated services on Brisbane-Townsville starting November 2025, adding more than 6,000 seats per month, and will switch Brisbane-Mount Isa to 737 from late July 2025. These shifts add Business Class availability and align the Queensland network with mainline cabins.

Analysis

For Western Australia, the E190-E2's sweet spot is range and economics on medium-thin sectors. The 100-seat jet gives Virgin Australia the right gauge to serve resource corridors and smaller WA communities where a 737 can be too much capacity or payload-limited on hotter days. With an 8-seat Business cabin, the product also becomes more consistent for corporate travelers accustomed to mainline cabins and priority services. Expect a progressive schedule build as each E2 arrives, with more departure-time choice on key routes and fewer instances of single-daily flights that leave little recovery room after delays.

Queensland gets a different kind of benefit. Upgauging Brisbane-Townsville to more 737 operations from November 2025 increases total monthly seats by over 6,000 and widens access to Business Class, improving upgrade odds for status customers and creating more reward-seat availability when inventory opens. The Brisbane-Mount Isa shift to 737 from late July 2025 adds the same dual-cabin advantage and should reduce weight-restricted days versus smaller types, especially during summer. Travelers looking to lock in upgrades or points seats should target the 737-marked services, which are more likely to carry a full Business cabin and consistent onboard Wi-Fi and power.

Background

Virgin Australia Regional Airlines, based in Perth, operates charter and regional services across WA, including fly-in, fly-out operations for the resources industry. The Embraer E190-E2 is Embraer's latest-generation, more efficient successor to the E190, offering lower fuel burn and longer maintenance intervals. Virgin's first frame, VH-E2A, entered revenue service in late October after arriving in Perth in September, marking a milestone for the E-Jet program in Australia.

Final thoughts

Virgin Australia's regional and domestic capacity moves put more choice on the table for WA and QLD travelers. As additional E190-E2s arrive through 2027 and 737s assume more Queensland flying from July and November 2025, expect steadier schedules, better upgrade odds on key days, and a more consistent two-class experience across routes that previously had limited options.