airlines snapped up the CRJ to replace propeller-driven planes on short-haul routes serving smaller cities. Bombardier created the regional jet market in 1989 when it launched the CRJ, which was a stretched, 50-seat version of the Challenger business jet that it had acquired a few years prior when it first got into aerospace by buying the struggling aircraft maker Canadair from the Canadian government. Nelson said having one on the CRJ550 “hurts safety, security & service.The deal marks the exit of Montreal-based Bombardier from commercial aviation, and the probable end of the line for a landmark aircraft. (The Federal Aviation Administration requires one flight attendant for every 50 seats on a plane.) Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants, said on Twitter Thursday that the plane is “a disservice to passengers & seriously cheap.” She noted that the CRJ700s have always been staffed with two flight attendants. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy) So United came up with this unique workaround. That agreement limits the number of large regional jets - like Bombardier CRJ900s and Embraer 175s - that it can have in the network. ![]() It’s really a result of the need for more premium seats and the restrictions United faces with its pilots’ union contract. The CRJ550 is the industry’s first 50-seat jet with both first- and economy class cabins. Row 11, the exit row, on United’s Bombardier CRJ550.(Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy) The best coach option is Row 11, an exit row. Compared to other 50-seat regional jets, it’s comfy. That same recline does make it very tight when the person in front of you leans back. Almost too much.Įconomy is tight, has similar stiffness in the seats, but has a generous enough recline. Row 7, the Economy Plus bulkhead, has tons of legroom. Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy) (Row 7, the Economy Plus bulkhead, on United’s Bombardier CRJ550. Like other slimline seats they are very stiff and will hopefully break in over time. The Economy Plus seats - in a stylish purple - have nice recline. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)Įarly destinations from Chicago include Grand Rapids, Michigan, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Greensboro, North Carolina. United hopes the CRJ550 will help it capture a larger share of premium international travelers bound for small and mid-size cities in the U.S.Įxecutives have frequently cited the example of Northwest Arkansas, home to retail giant Walmart’s headquarters, where they said the airline carries a lower percentage of business travelers than competitors due to a lack of premium seating options on flights into XNA. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)ĭespite being a larger plane, there is only one tiny lavatory at the very back. It was a sleek little nook at the front of the plane and I can see it being a favorite for passengers. (Photo by Scott Mayerowitz/The Points Guy)įirst-class flyers also have access to a self-service drink and snack station- not a typical offering on domestic flights, let alone a regional jet. I’m skeptical, given how much stuff I’ve seen passengers bring on trips and how poorly they shove stuff into the storage spaces. United says that most - if not all - passengers should be able to stash away their carry-on bags on the jet instead of checking them at the gate. There’s also more overhead bin space than a typical regional jet. ![]() The space that would normally be filled with those 20 extra seats is instead dedicated to four storage closets. In other words: this is an extremely roomy regional jet. The CRJ550 has 10 seats in first class, arranged in a 1-2 configuration, plus 20 in Economy Plus and 20 in coach. But instead of the normal 70 seats, United is only installing 50 in the same space. The plane itself isn’t exactly a new jet. Right now, the plane also lacks individual power outlets, but United told me they should be added in during the first three months of 2020. ![]() There are no seatback TVs, but United doesn’t have those on many domestic jets. It’s as close as one gets to mainline flying on a tiny plane. There’s plenty of legroom, the seats have a generous recline. Related: Sign up for our daily email newsletter hereĪnd on Thursday morning, I got a sneak peek inside the plane days before it takes to the air. With it, United hopes to reinvent the regional jet market, at least for those in the front of the plane. Welcome aboard the Bombardier CRJ550 - the newest plane in United Airlines’ fleet.
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