The introduction of the E190 to Virgin Blue will stop growth within the current B737 domestic operation. The E190 gives Virgin a 100 seat jet (with all the mod cons the passengers want) that is capable of operating anywhere on the east coast (and a few points west and east) with 100 passengers at a lower cost than the current B737. Captains flying the E190 will be getting paid $34000 less per year than their B737 counterparts, but will be doing all the work. The E190 could/will be used on off peak flights between SYD-MEL, SYD-BNE, SYD-OOL, BNE-MEL and MEL-ADL. The aircraft will also replace the B737 on the SYD-CFS, SYD-MCY, SYD-HVB, BNE-NTL and most flights to Tassie.
The E190 will become Ansett version of the F28/146. Before its retirement the F28 operated to all the ‘leisure’ ports within the Ansett network. When the 146 replaced the F28 it was also deployed on the leisure ports but during the late 90’s it was deployed on off peak flights between SYD and BNE and at times MEL.
My guess is that in 3-5 years time the Virgin Blue’s domestic fleet will be made up of 25-30 B737’s and 20-30 E170/190’s.