Airlines are increasingly turning to smaller aircraft for shorter routes, seeking the right balance between frequency and fuel efficiency. While major manufacturers focus on larger narrowbody jets, several specialist builders remain dedicated to the sub-100-seat market. Here are the five key players competing for orders in this segment as of 2026, from hybrid-electric pioneers to rugged turboprops and state-backed regional jets.
Heart Aerospace: Disrupting with Hybrid-Electric Power
Heart Aerospace is challenging traditional regional aviation with its ES-30 airliner. The clean-sheet design features a specialized wing and integrated engine nacelles, enabling operations on very short runways. With over 250 firm orders from carriers like United Airlines and Air Canada, the company targets type certification by the end of the decade. Its full-scale demonstrator, the Heart X1, has a 105-foot wingspan and promises direct operating costs comparable to 50-seat turboprops.
De Havilland: Leveraging Rugged Legacy
The Canadian manufacturer focuses on refurbishing Dash 8-400 aircraft rather than building new airframes. These upgraded platforms combine high cruise speeds with lower fuel consumption than regional jets, attracting operators like Vietjet Qazaqstan (five aircraft), Asman Airlines (four), and Nexus Airlines (multiple) primarily in Central Asia and Australia.
COMAC: China's State-Backed Regional Jet
COMAC's C909 (rebranded ARJ21) has carried over 37 million passengers across 860 routes in a decade of service. Designed for harsh, high-altitude environments, it is now expanding internationally with operators in Indonesia and Laos, and a recent lease deal for ten aircraft with Vietjet. The platform challenges traditional Western duopolies in the regional jet market.
ATR: The Turboprop Efficiency Standard
ATR's turboprops thrive on unpaved runways shorter than 4,000 feet. Recent milestones include Transport Canada certification for the ATR 72-500, opening Arctic routes, and new orders from lessors like Avation. Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW127XT engines, these aircraft burn significantly less fuel than regional jets, offering a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Embraer: Capping the Segment with Jets
Embraer continues to compete with its regional jet family, offering flagship capabilities and strong production momentum. The Brazilian manufacturer's aircraft serve as a bridge between turboprop efficiency and larger jet performance, maintaining a presence in the under-100-seat market.