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Oh dearest Delta – you are too funny sometimes. I hope all readers saw this tweet with a shot of the Delta directions to travel agents when it comes to marketing and selling C+ seats on CRJ200s (if not, why are you not following me on twitter yet?)!
Let me start out and be clear about one important thing (as I have been in the past). C+ is the same seat as a C- seat with maybe a tiny bit more leg room and reline / pitch and free drinks. As an elite I will sometimes take C+ free if offered but other times I am simply happy to choose exit row and to make sure nothing goes wrong with my real upgrade shot to 1st class.
And that is talking about mainline jets – not partner CJR200s (btw I posted this CRJ200 confirmed news here). The idea that there is anything remotely comfortable or “plus” about a CRJ200 seat is just beyond insanity. By putting new “cushy” leather in row 1 of a CRJ200 that has LESS leg room than the rest of the jet, immovable arms so they offer LESS seat width than the rest of the jet, LESS overhead space than the rest of the jet (because most times oxygen and other bits are in your overhead) all to me make this row one not C+ but C- to begin with. Yet, Delta is in some way going to sell the flying public that LESS=MORE? I just don’t get it – do you? But I have now processed my 1st CRJ200 “upgrade” (I cannot believe I just said that). I did this on just one trip as for the rest of my flights I will stick with exit row or row 2/3 (to get off faster).
But now please look at the screen shot at the very top of this post. Overnight (or maybe as part of Schedule Change Saturday) Delta moved me from row 2 to row 4 for some reason and it looks like it is not just me they moved. We all should know by now that the AMEX BOGOF from the AMEX Delta Platinum or Reserve cards (when buying coach) does not get you into C+ seats because that is considered an “upgrade” and the certs don’t allow for upgrades. But, before April Fools Day, row 1 of a CRJ200 was not considered an upgrade and you could select it free. It seems Delta IT is moving you out of your chosen seat if you were on an AMEX cert or maybe if you had simply picked this seat.
My guess, and only a guess, is Delta is booting most folks out so they can sell these new “premium experience” seats where LESS=MORE. Even if my employer were paying for my ticket on a ~2 hour ride from ATL>SBN I don’t see this seat worth $30 more for LESS of everything other than free drinks (and getting OFF this tiny jet faster when you land). Oh and if you priority board your CRJ200 with C+ be ready to be bumped by the 46 people who file past you boarding (that is always comfortable right?).
Anyway if you, like me, happen to be stuck starting many of your Delta travels on a CJR200 be sure to check this weekend each and every reservation to see where you may be sitting now! – René
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On top of all the minuses you mention, row 1 also does’t have a seat in front you you to shove your carry-on bag under. My carry-on won’t fit in the overhead on a CRJ200, but it does fit beneath the seat in front of me. When there is a seat in front of me, that is! I never book row 1.
@Bill G – True how is being FORCED to gate check an upgrade? One more strike!
Delta Press Release announcing retirement of CRJ200 was 2/12. Guess with this “investment” in miserable little plane here in 2017, we can look forward to many, many more years of CRJ200. Definitely, worst part of flying Delta.
I guess my question is – Why would any mainline airline or mainline airline contractor still fly the CRJ200? Or CRJ anything for that matter. The E and C jets should have put the CRJ’s in the grave or at least third-world countries.
Even though I’m an Alaska elite, I still learn stuff from reading your column.
@Steve – We are waiting for the CS100/300 to be built (or so that is the story). But yes I agree with every word you said!
not fond of the crj’s but get them alot!!!!
You may remember when the 717 was obtained 5 years ago, they were presented as a replacement for the CRJ200. I doubt anybody who flew much really believed them then, but that’s what they said! I don’t believe CS’s will replace CRJ’s as much as they will replace MD88/90’s.
Also, I understand many don’t like bulkhead. But, for those of us that don’t want someone infront of us putting their seat back in our laps, row one was “Premium” and saved for Elite’s. Now, no more. Anyone can buy it. It will be interesting to see if FA’s will put their luggage in C+ overheads. (Where else?)
@Aland – The 717 is a nice plane. I flew a DL 717 from LAX to my home airport PDX in “F”. It was a pleasant flight. The 717 is an economical 100 pax aircraft with high dispatch reliability.
@Aland – Agree that crew with bags in C+ will be a GRRRRRRRRR event but as you point out the only other choice is under the jet (where they could if they wanted to put them btw).
I never sit in row 1 as it is the most miserable seat on the 200. I don’t see any changes for my trip this month so my seat choices (almost always row 2) are safe so far. Obviously the only thing I can see different is the new seat cover and oh boy, they will give you a free drink. I have plenty of vouchers to print out for that if I wanted one. Hoping they don’t change my seats for this month since I’m on a business class ticket to LHR but the trip starts as all my trips do…. on the 200.
Rene, I said on April 2, CRJ200 was the worst part of flying Delta. May I withdraw that comment? Wife got caught up in the “precedented storm” and it took everything i knew (and a bit of luck plus 40,000 Marriott points of hotels rooms) to get her from Monroe LA to JAX in 3 days. I am hoping Delta Exec’s take this as a wake up call to their business model. Thanks for staying on this and appreciated your comments today.
@Aland – You know, I do not think the Delta connection flights were affected much at all by this 😉 #LongLiveTheCRJ200? #OhMyDelta