US Airways Express (PSA) CRJ 200 on the taxiway followed by ’œCompany Traffic’ CRJ 700
When passion, creativity, photography and the ability to write combine with fans, I love to share their work. This is a blog written by Andrew Vane for Airline Reporter taking a close look at Bombardier’s CRJs:
Canadian company Bombardier Aerospace acquired government-owned Canadair Ltd and entered the regional jet market in the 1980’s. Today the most commonly seen and flown CRJ’s consist of the CRJ-200 (50 seats), CRJ 700 (75 seats) and CRJ900 (90 seats). CRJ’s are most popular amongst the major airline’s subsidiaries for shorter domestic flights between hubs and along spokes. Here in Charlotte (KCLT), virtually all of Terminal E is occupied by gates to serve regional jets and turboprops. Similarly, in Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (KCVG), Delta dedicated a major portion of the largest terminal to their regional jet carrier Comair.
No this ain’t headed for New Orleans. It’s an Air Canada Jazz CRJ 200 bound for the Great White North.
The CRJ 200 is an upgrade to its -100 predecessor with the addition of more efficient engines coming in Extended Range (ER) and Long Range (LR) versions. Guess which one is longer? Answer: Without consulting Bombardier’s data, your guess is as good as mine. (Per the web site the range of the ER is about 1,800 miles and the LR version is 2,300 miles.) CRJ 100/200’s are most common domestically among the major airliner’s regional carriers Comair, Skywest, ASA, Air Canada, MESA, US Airways Express (PSA), Skywest and Republic.
First entering service in 2001, the CRJ 700 series provided a bit more seats and comparable range to the LR version of the CRJ 200. In profile, the easiest way to tell the difference between a -200 and -700 is the fact that the -700 is longer and the rear end is sticking up in the air. In addition to more seating, the CRJ700 features a new wing with leading edge slats and a stretched and slightly widened fuselage, with a lowered floor. CRJ 700’s are most frequently flown in the US by Air Canada Jazz, American Eagle, ASA, Comair, Horizon Air, Mesa, Skywest, and US Airways Express (PSA). A further refinement of the CRJ 700 was the CRJ 705 series, operated by Air Canada, which added 75 seats and split the aircraft into business and economy classes of 10 and 65 seats, respectively. Only sixteen 705’s were built.
ASA ’œAcey’ CRJ 700 rolling on 18C at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.
Eventually, this French Canadian company, who also produces the popular Dash-8 family of turboprops, expanded the CRJ fleet design to include a longer -900 version. The CRJ 900 features a ’œcomplete re-design of all of the structure and systems. In addition, an all-new wing was developed that increases the cruise speed of these aircraft while offering excellent airfield characteristics. These aircraft also feature an all new interior cabin that offers increased room for the passenger, enabled by a lowering the floor by 1’ (2.54 cm) and redesigning the aircraft frame RJ900 that featured as of the original CRJ200, offering more headroom and a wider cabin. The seating and bins were completely redesigned to allow more passenger space and increased bin stowage,’ says Bombardier’s web site. CRJ 900’s are currently operated by Mesa Air, Air Canada Jazz, Skywest, Comair and Pinnacle Airlines.
From my own personal experience, I was a bit disappointed with the window placing and height for my 6-foot tall frame. I ended up with a neck ache each time I sat by a window. The windows are much lower compared to Bombardier’s Brazilian competitor, Embraer.
Some airlines have planned a future full of regional jets in lieu of larger aircraft with empty seats. Smaller aircraft lower to the ground provide easier boarding in variable conditions (jetway or stairs). With over 700 CRJ’s of all versions delivered by Bombardier in the last 30 years, chances are you’ll be riding in one of these the next time you fly out of a small city.
Bombardier’s CRJ story here.
Images: All photos by Andrew Vane
As an ex RJ pilot I enjoyed your article very much. I just wanted to note that the CRJ705s flown by Air Canada Jazz are actually CRJ900s. They have less seats and carry a different designation in order to fit under the Air Canada pilot’s scope clause, but are in every other way identical to a 900. The ATC designation for the 705 is the same as the 900. Neither Air Canada or Jazz operate any 700s.
Cheers!
Thanks for the clarifications. I’m just a crazy plane-spotting fan so my data is likely off by a bit.
These airplanes are the most uncomfortable jets in the sky. I travel frequently and avoid them at all costs. I am 6’3″ tall and weigh 250 pounds. There is no headroom, no legroom and the seats are way too narrow. I also agree that the windows are way too low. To top it off the overhead bins are not big enough to put a briefcase in.
This company found a nitch and filled it – well. For shorter range (and time) trips one does not expect long range comfort and they don’t deliver it. Still, the fit the RJ need. -C.
My recent trips were about 1:15. I would not want to fly 4 hours in one but that’s unlikely.
Both CRJ700 and CRJ900 were renewed with higher windows, you probably got the classic version of a CRJ, the new ones are called Next Gen and are way more comfortable.
Also a small correction to the main article. CRJ900 was not a complete new re-design. The Next Gen which was introduced somewhere in 2005 was first done on a CRJ900, and later also applied to CRJ700. Both CRJ700 and 900 are nearly identical but CRJ900 can carry more seats. The difference is between the classic version and the Next Gen version.
I have travelled in both classic and next gen, and I can tell you there’s a big difference in terms of comfort.
Thanks. The “complete redesign” was quoted from bombardier’s web site. Personally I can’t hardly tell the difference between the 700 and 900 at first glance. I appreciate the comments about the next gen versions. Bombardier has a separate section on their web site dedicated to the future of RJ’s.
By the way, there’s also the new CRJ1000 that can carry more than 100 seats with improved systems. Its entry into service was done late December 2010 and reports are outstanding in terms of performance so far. Both European companies Air Nostrum and BritAir launched this program. It may take time before American Airliners buy CRJ1000s though due to limitations on Regional Jets definition.
The total number or RJs delivered, as of January 31, 2011 is 1628 which is well over the 700 mentioned.
I was adding up what the web sites mentioned. It doesn’t surprise me that there are that many delivered. At CLT, just about 25% of the aircraft I see on any given visit are RJ’s & Dash-8’s. 50% are some version of the airbus. US Airways indicated a few years ago that they were going to phase out the Boeings (other than the 757’s) into all airbusses for ease of maintenance and common cockpits.
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