Recently, I had the extraordinary privilege of being part of Australian aviation history. I wasn’t just covering any inaugural flight — I was onboard Virgin Australia’s first ever publicly scheduled Embraer E190-E2, flying from Perth to Newman, deep in Western Australia’s rugged and iron-rich East Pilbara region.
While aviation enthusiasts in Australia have recently focused on exciting new aircraft, from QantasLink’s A220 to the A321XLR, Virgin Australia’s regional fleet upgrade has flown a bit under the radar. But this shiny E190-E2 promises a major leap forward for regional travel in Western Australia — complete with Virgin Australia’s first ever regional business class product. The question: is this aircraft really ready to shape the future of regional flying in WA? Let’s dive in.
Perth Airport: Early Morning Excitement
The day started bright and early at Perth Airport, Terminal 1 Domestic — Virgin Australia’s hub. It was just gone 5 a.m., and the terminal was buzzing with morning energy. Flying on the historic inaugural commercial flight, I had managed a $65 business class upgrade — just $10 over the minimum bid — which secured me one of the solo seats at the front.
The check-in process was a breeze. Unlike some other carriers, Virgin’s self-service kiosks allow for physical boarding passes, seat changes, and even frequent flyer updates. Priority bag drop made life even easier, whisking my luggage off to Newman in moments.
Security was a bit hectic — likely the busiest I’ve seen at Perth Airport, with priority lanes not fully operational — but a quick coffee and snack at the Virgin Australia Lounge helped provided so much need early morning caffeine and energy before boarding. The lounge experience itself was, as always, quintessential Virgin: spacious, clean, and comfortable, with breakfast options including scrambled eggs, cereals, pastries, and fresh juice.
Boarding the E190-E2: First Impressions
Boarding was called at Gate 47A, and there she was — the brand new Embraer E190-E2, registration VH-E2A, the 19th E190 ever produced globally. While today marked its first publicly scheduled flight, it had already several dozen mining charter flights across Western Australia, including to Bulgaria, Busselton, Albany, and Geraldton.
Stepping on board, the business class cabin immediately impresses. Eight seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration up front, each with 37 inches of pitch and a 19.5-inch width, provide a comfortable, modern, and private space. The adjustable headrest and ample recline made settling in easy, and the under-seat power outlet is perfect for keeping devices charged mid-flight.
Virgin Australia also added a personal touch: a goodie bag containing a model E2 jet, amenity kit, and pen, a thoughtful gesture celebrating the aircraft’s inaugural service.
Takeoff: From Perth to the Pilbara
The Captain and his first officer welcomed passengers onboard, giving the usual safety briefing and pre-departure announcements. With a 39,000 ft cruising altitude and a scheduled flight time of 1 hour 45 minutes, the takeoff was smooth and quiet, a testament to the E190-E2’s modern turbofan efficiency.
Once the seatbelt sign turned off, the cabin crew immediately took breakfast orders. For this flight, I opted for the pumpkin ricotta breakfast, complete with bacon, potato wedges, and a cheeky Pirate Life South Coast Pale Ale — a fitting toast to the inaugural flight.
Business Class Experience: Comfort Meets Convenience
Flying solo, I settled into seat 3A, which offered both window and aisle access and enough space to stretch out. While 2A offers slightly more legroom with no seat in front, 3A felt more secluded — ideal for early morning flights.
The seat itself is very similar to Virgin Australia’s 737-800 business class but feels a touch more modern. The tray table, recline, and headrest adjustments all functioned flawlessly.
Cruising Over Western Australia: Scenic Views
Flying north, the view transitions from Wheatbelt farmland into the barren Gascoin region, finally reaching the iron-rich East Pilbara. The E190-E2’s quiet cabin and large windows make sightseeing a pleasure, allowing passengers to fully enjoy the vast, rugged landscapes below.
Halfway into the flight, breakfast was served — and it did not disappoint. The pumpkin ricotta was creamy, flavorful, and perfectly paired with the beer. For aviation enthusiasts, the flight offers a perfect blend of comfort and regional adventure.
Economy Class: Behind the Curtain
Economy X seats in rows immediately behind business offer 34–35 inches of pitch, nearly matching business class legroom. Standard economy seats further back average 29 inches. The configuration is smart for regional flying, giving passengers a choice between premium comfort or affordable economy.
Landing at Newman: Touchdown in the Pilbara
As we approached Newman Airport, the temperature soared to 35°C, a preview of the intense Pilbara summer heat. The landing was smooth, with stunning views of the modern mining town and BHP Mount Whaleback mine, the world’s largest single open-cut iron ore mine, just a few kilometers from the town.
Once on the ground, baggage was quickly retrieved from the open-air carousel, and I had the chance to watch the E190-E2 prepare for its return flight to Perth.
Final Thoughts: Is the E190-E2 Worth It?
Virgin Australia’s new E190-E2 is a game-changer for regional WA aviation. The aircraft is modern, spacious, and fuel-efficient, promising 30% better efficiency than the Fokker 100s it replaces. Business class offers a luxurious upgrade compared to the old Airbus A320s, while economy X provides ample comfort for those traveling in style on a budget.
Pros:
- Modern, spacious cabin with comfortable seating
- Friendly, attentive crew
- Onboard amenities, including power points and goodie bag
- Smooth, quiet flight with excellent breakfast service
Cons:
- Priority screening at Perth Airport can be inconsistent
- In-flight Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment not yet operational
- Limited fanfare at boarding, though the goodie bag more than made up for it
Cash fares on the Perth–Newman route are typically steep, rarely under $400 one-way, so redeeming Velocity points for this inaugural flight was excellent value. The $65 business class upgrade was a fantastic deal, securing one of the solo seats with maximum comfort.
Conclusion
The Virgin Australia Embraer E190-E2 is a major step forward for regional travel in Western Australia, offering passengers a premium experience previously unavailable on intrastate flights. With a further seven aircraft on order, Virgin Australia is clearly committed to elevating its regional operations, and for aviation enthusiasts, it’s an exciting time to watch WA’s skies evolve.
Whether you’re a frequent business traveler, a regional adventurer, or simply an aviation enthusiast, the E190-E2 inaugural flight is an experience not to be missed.
From Perth to Newman, in the heart of the Pilbara, this flight marks the beginning of a new era for Virgin Australia Regional Airlines — and for regional aviation in Australia as a whole.
Disclaimer: This article has been repurposed from the original transcript of my own flight review on the Aussie JetSetter Youtube channel with the assistance of AI technologies. Please be advised whilst I have taken the utmost care to review and revise this article where necessary to reflect the upmost of accuracy at time of publication please be advised my reviews whether written or in video form are for entertainment and general information purposes only. They reflect the objective views in good faith of the person only whom is presenting them unless otherwise noted. Any decisions you make resulting from consuming my content must take into consideration your own circumstances, research and responsibility as I can not be hold responsible for any inaccuracies or future changes effecting the relativity of such reviews. All Rights Reserved by Aussie JetSetter from 2022 >
