CRJ-900: Everything You Need to Know
The CRJ-900, otherwise known as the Canadair Regional Jet is a jet created by Bombardier. A Canadian aircraft company.
The series plane is part of is notoriously known for it’s cramped space and common maintenance issues.
So, in this article we will look at it inside out. From the passenger experience across airlines to ground crew gripes.
A Brief History
You can find it’s roots as a business jet. That’s correct, what is currently a flying trash can with wings used to be a wealthy man’s ride.
It was once the Bombardier Challenger 600. And judging by the photo above, it’s pretty obvious the modern day CRJ is just a stretched version of this plane.
The Challenger 600 eventually turned into what was called the CRJ-100. A slightly stretched version which could hold up to 48 passengers. This version later turned into the CRJ-200, arguably the most infamous of the CRJ series. The only difference really being better engines.
After the insane success of the tiny jet, demand for a larger jet prompted for the creation of the CRJ-700. Featuring a new wing design. This added a lavatory in the front, with the CRJ-550 being the same thing minus the front lavatory.
The CRJ-700 later got further extended into the 900 and 1000 models, the biggest of the series. Featuring better engines alongside the capacity increase.
CRJ-900 Spec Sheet
The CRJ-900 wasn’t necessarily built into the Scope Clause, but rather tagged onto it.
For those who don’t know:
The Scope Clause is a set of agreements between pilot unions and select airlines. What this does is demotivate mainline pilots from flying at the regionals by artificially creating a pay gap. Where a regional pilot would end up being paid less than a mainline pilot. And this is achieved by limiting seat count and in some cases MTOW.
And it was tagged on because its passenger capacity goes way beyond what’s in the Scope Clause. But, there’s a billion and one of them out there, and something had to be done with them.
The CRJ-900 Passenger Experience
CRJ-900s outfitted with American “First Class” seats are comfortable. Or atleast as comfortable a seat in a CRJ-900 can get.
The seats are often way more padded than economy seats. And of course are nice and wide, with tons of leg room.
That being said, first class seats in a CRJ-900 are pretty much the bottom of the bin. If you get the opportunity, select a flight where an E-170 or E-175 is the aircraft.
The seats on the E-175 are so much nicer than anything a CRJ could offer. Especially with Delta, where the seats are incredibly plush. And of course, choose a seat on the left side, as those are seats where you get both a window and aisle.
As for economy…well…
Good Luck
The CRJ series is notorious for horrible economy seats. Often with less-than-necessary room in all directions. And with seats that will make your ass ache if you sit in it for longer than 45 minutes.
Compared to other regional jets though, it’s pretty average.
Larger jets like the E-175 also tend to be insufficiently padded, with the only advantage being more room for bags and more headroom.
The CRJ Ground Crew Experience
The CRJ is notorious for having inoperative APUs and tape plastered all over the fuselage. Especially those that fly with Skywest.
Compared to other planes in the CRJ line, the CRJ-900 tends to behave a bit better thanks to it being a bit newer than the average CRJ-200.
On the CRJ-900, there are two lavatory service panels and two potable water panels. The lavatory systems are not vacuum systems, so lots of blue juice is required to keep them operating.
As for potable water, it’s like any other airline-specific jet. Really a plug-and-play system.
When it comes to pits, the CRJ-900 has two. One upfront on the left side and one underneath the captain side engine (engine 1).
The fact that the 900 is longer also means weight and balance isn’t as bad as something like a 200 or 550. The 200 is notorious for hogging ballast (bags of sand) to keep within limits. And the 550 is more often than not weight restricted.
Overall, I’d take the 900 over a 200 any day. But given the opportunity, the 700 is ideal. It only has 1 lav service panel.
How the CRJ-900 Compares to Other Regional Jets
The CRJ-900 was an extension of an incredibly old design. Once a private jet is now a cattle car. And because it isn’t a clean slate design, it has some pitfalls that other regional jets don’t have.
If we’re talking regional jets within the scope clause, the E-175 should be your go to. It’s a much larger, more modern airliner. The seats are far more comfortable, and space is ample.
If you want to talk the full-scale regional fleet, we could maybe include the A220. In which case, that would be the best. It wins in seat space, cabin atmosphere, efficiency, and design. And funny enough, was originally designed by the same company that made the CRJ.
Final Notes
The CRJ-900 was really just a product of demand. Lots of airlines needed dedicated regional jets to maximize dollars per seat and Bombardier delivered.
However, the time of the CRJ is ending. As the fleet ages and begins to fall apart faster than your local Range Rover. And eventually, it will need to be replaced by a clean sheet jet that’s more efficient.
Have you ever flown on a CRJ? How was it?
