Yes that is me, who was in row 1 recently on a CRJ200, because I want to get OFF a CRJ200 as quickly as I can, but then moved to the last row next to the bathroom due to a “weight and balance” issue as they needed several folks to move from front to back. Joy O Joy!
Most of us, other than a few bloggers who shall go unmentioned (MJ on Travel), just despise these “barbie jets” and many flyers have much harsher names for these jets that I would rather not publish but I think you get the idea.
Delta has consistently been promising to continue to remove more and more of them from service due to customer complaints about these aging birds. I have for years and years been saying this will happen since they are so uneconomical to fly. But airwaysnews.com has some frustrating news that tells us:
“Ryan Gumm, CEO of Endeavor Air, explained that they will be keeping the 50 seat CRJ-200 aircraft in its fleet as Delta still sees a need for them. Part of the reorganization plan was to remove the CRJ-200s from the fleet.” – airwaysnews.com
Ouch. I can tell you this, and other news from the piece, does not make me a happy Delta flyer.
Delta, via their partners, have started flying CRJ700 & CRJ900 service out of South Bend (SBN).
It has been VERY popular and I have been told by the SBN ground staff that flyers are actively looking to book to fly the once a day flight that has 2 cabin service. On a flight last month, take a look how deep the medallion list was into a smaller market like SBN from the Fly Delta App.
The funny part is, sorta like a sharp stick in the eye funny that is, Delta is running the larger CRJ700/900 aircraft on the South Bend to Detroit that is less than a 30 minute flight and keeping (for now) the CRJ200s for the 1 to 1.5 hour flights from South Bend to Atlanta and Minneapolis.
I personally think the days of CRJ200 are over and done and they should be gone. I get the logistics and need for 50 seat aircraft, even if not cost effective to fly, but I can not see that replacing them all with at CRJ700s that hold 65 seats can really be that much worse one way or another.
You tell me. What do you think of many more years of flying CRJ200s? Are you happy with CRJ700 service and the product itself? – René
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Ugh. I actively choose flights based on not being on these, there is NO legroom, and the only saving grace is the ability to sit on the side with 1 seat instead of next to someone on the other side in their lap… most of the flights I’m on are pretty full regardless of the aircraft, so I’d really like to see them completely gone from the Syracuse market.
I avoid those with a plague. Once I flew from NY to Canada on it. It was tiny. If you get the single seat your left leg is uncomfortable since it curves into at your ankle. Its so short if you’re over 5’8″ you’ll have the bend your head. And you’re so intimate next to the person hopefully you don’t get a big guy next to you. Ventilation isn’t great neither. I had to endure a 90min flight next to a big sweaty stinky guy. Not cool.
I, too, seek out other routes that don’t involve these hatchlings. (They are so small, they don’t deserve to be called full-fledged birds). No kidding — THREE times I’ve been stuck for hours (twice overnight) because of maintenance problems on the 200s. Never had a bad experience on the 700s or 900s.
@Chris – ROAR – hatchlings – 🙂 🙂 🙂
I agree100%. If i had my druthers I’d like to bring back the old 4-holer ARJs that NW used to fly out of IND and CVG. Sixteen huge FC seats, and a very comfortable coach section if I decided not to use a 500-mile upgrade. Even though it was a commuter its one of the most comfortable planes ever. Yeah DL is sure to bring these back.
For routes like Columbus, GA to ATL (about 25 minutes in the air) and many more out west, there is no choice but to fly the CRJ2. They are already half empty as is.
René,
Is it true that Richard Anderson hates giving away upgrades so much that will keep the 200 because there’s no first class cabin?
I wouldn’t mind one as a private jet conversion but on commercial routes I’d rather have a Q400 over these any day.
Be careful what you ask for. Cri200 is far better than reduced or no service. See Memphis and countless small communities as examples.
@Barry – I would rather have less choice per day and never ever ride on a CRJ200 ever again! 🙂
Airlines should get some CRJ-550 planes. The CRJ-550 is a 50 seat regional jet, but 10 of the 50 seats are in First Class. The CRJ-550 is a special version of the CRJ-700.
That is what American Airlines is doing. They use the CRJ-700 from SBN-DFW, and the CRJ-900 from SBN-CLT. American Airlines will make your dream come true, if your dream is to NEVER fly on a CRJ-200 again. The COVID-19 pandemic has the one good thing of having less cramped regional jets in the future.
Rene’, what do you expect, it’s Indiana! You ride your horse to SBN & then get on a jet airplane – I think that’s pretty remarkable.
BTW, Richard Anderson is coming to the Detroit Economic Club on 6/23 to speak about:
Restoring Fair Competition to the Skies –
How Subsidized Foreign Airlines are Threatening U.S. Jobs and Economic Growth.
Tickets are $75 (including lunch) if you’re interested.
@Mark – I was going to go until I saw the price and do not like over subsidized lunches and thus said no! 😉
They’re the only choice from FWA
What about the ERJ’s?
I was on one into JFK the other month and the (Endeavor?) FA told me that the original plan was to phase these out, but that the contract had just been renewed.
Supposedly there is no plan to outfit these with WiFi either as it’s too expensive.
?
There are routes where CRJ-200s make sense (tiny feeder airports less than an hour away from a hub).
Unfortunately, Delta flies CRJ-200s and ERJ-145s from CVG to DTW and MSP. I’d rather have frequency cut in half than have to fly a 50 seater for 2+ hours.
If a route is longer than an hour, a 50 seater should not be used. Period.
I was on a CRJ200 last Saturday from STL>MSP and was the ONLY on who boarded in the Sky zone…….normally STL>MSP is an Embraer 175 or CJR-700 during the week, so I was surprised by it on Sat. Ma & Pa K didn’t seem to mind tho…….
I feel sorry for you.
@Joe Graones – Thanks! Other than no recline, the smell and how dirty the CRJ was it was just fine 😉
I think that anybody who has to experience the CRJ-200 is unfortunate to go through the misery of the CRJ-200. I think that they should use the CRJ-200 to transport cargo, and the CRJ-550, CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 to transport passengers. There is a CRJ-200F coming around, and it is a cargo version of the CRJ-200.
I despite them as much as everyone else. MSP-MDW was not fun. I concur that reduced service to move to the CRJ-700 would make sense on that route. MSP-MSN was tolerable.
If Delta insists on keeping them, let’s remember that there is one benefit to these flying lunch pales: their overhead bins are much better than on the CRJ-700 and at least a little better than on the CRJ-900.
I really don’t mind the 200…kinda like the little workhorse. I would rather have a 200 and more flights to choose from then a 700 and fewer options.
Besides you aren’t driving…just sit back and enjoy the view
Nobody needs any CRJ-200s anymore. American Airlines is replacing most of them with the CRJ-700 and the CRJ-900. United Airlines may also retire their CRJ-200 fleet, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Their CRJ-200 fleet will someday be replaced with the CRJ-550, which is just a 50 seat version of the CRJ-700, with a First Class cabin. Other airlines should consider the CRJ-550 for a 50 seat jet.