A new era of regional aviation is unfolding in the United States and Canada as United Airlines and Delta Air Lines redefine short-haul travel.
Both carriers are significantly enhancing regional connectivity by expanding their fleets of the innovative CRJ550 aircraft.
This move promises to provide first-class comfort and unparalleled passenger experiences, setting new standards for regional travel in North America.
The CRJ550 was introduced in 2019 by Bombardier, marking a pivotal moment in regional aviation history.
As the first triple-class 50-seat aircraft, the CRJ550 was specifically engineered to satisfy the evolving needs of the U.S. domestic market.
Airlines can now offer a more premium experience on smaller regional jets.
Although Bombardier has exited the commercial aircraft sector and sold its CRJ program to Mitsubishi, the CRJ550 remains in operation through both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
The CRJ550 utilizes the airframe of the CRJ700 and features a configuration that includes first class, premium economy, and economy seating—an unprecedented setup for 50-seat regional jets.
This design prioritizes passenger comfort, incorporating larger cabin spaces, self-serve beverage stations, and generous legroom into the travel experience.
As a result, carriers are able to maintain high premium service standards while adhering to pilot contracts that limit the size and number of regional jets operated by feeder airlines.
United Airlines was the first to introduce the CRJ550 and now boasts the largest fleet of this aircraft model.
United’s regional partner, GoJet Airlines, handles aircraft operations, focusing significantly on lucrative business markets where premium seating is highly sought after.
Launched in October 2019, United initially deployed the CRJ550 to connect its Chicago O’Hare hub with 15 regional destinations, including cities like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Indianapolis.
Since then, United has expanded its CRJ550 operations across several other hubs, including Newark and Washington Dulles.
Data from Cirium indicates that in June, United Airlines scheduled nearly 2,008 weekly CRJ550 departures, predominantly operating from Chicago O’Hare, which accounts for about 700 flights weekly.
Following Chicago, Newark provides 174 weekly departures, while Washington Dulles boasts 139 weekly flights.
These hubs serve as central points in United’s CRJ550 operations, catering primarily to premium customers connecting to long-haul and international flights.
Among United’s most frequented CRJ550 routes from Chicago O’Hare are cities like St. Louis, receiving 32 weekly flights, while Chattanooga follows closely with 28 flights, and both Dayton and Little Rock are serviced by 26 flights each.
Notably, United has also ventured into international service with the CRJ550, operating flights from Chicago to Ottawa, Canada.
Though this route was initially launched in February 2023, it was briefly suspended before resuming in late 2024.
United’s CRJ550 network remains concentrated around its major hubs, with the vast majority of flights departing from or arriving at Chicago, Newark, or Washington Dulles.
A prime example of this connectivity includes a one-stop itinerary linking Rochester to Little Rock via Chicago O’Hare, alongside another route interconnecting St. Louis and Chattanooga through the same hub.
Newark offers a total of 15 CRJ550 routes, showcasing heavy traffic on specific routes such as 34 weekly flights to Washington National and frequent service to Richmond with three daily flights.
Buffalo is also a significant destination from Newark, with up to three daily flights, though this decreases on Saturdays to two.
Washington Dulles operates 16 CRJ550 routes, with Ottawa being notably active, offering 21 flights weekly.
Richmond leads the Dulles routes with 22 weekly departures, and on Thursdays and Fridays, four daily flights connect Dulles and Richmond.
While United Airlines leads the CRJ550 segment, Delta Air Lines has also integrated this aircraft type into its air travel offerings, albeit on a smaller scale.
Delta’s regional partner, SkyWest Airlines, operates the CRJ550, but its service network is more limited when compared to that of United.
As of June, Delta Air Lines scheduled 251 weekly CRJ550 departures distributed across three hubs: Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City, and Detroit.
Among these, Minneapolis-St. Paul stands out as the busiest hub, operating 118 weekly flights to various regional airports, including double-daily service to Aberdeens, Bemidji, Rhinelander, and Williston.
In total, Delta runs 11 CRJ550 routes from Minneapolis.
Salt Lake City facilitates 79 weekly CRJ550 departures, serving a more limited number of destinations, yet maintaining frequent flights to several locations.
Prominent destinations from Salt Lake City include St. George Regional Airport with 30 flights weekly, and both Cedar City and Grand Junction receiving 12 flights each week.
Delta’s operations at Detroit mark the smallest CRJ550 segment in its network, with only 54 weekly departures to six destinations.
Notably, Detroit is unique as it is the only airport in the U.S. served by both Delta and United with CRJ550 operations, where United operates three weekly flights from Chicago O’Hare.
The specialized configuration and service model of the CRJ550 enables both United and Delta to deliver premium regional products to travelers, particularly those connecting to long-haul flights who anticipate a higher standard of comfort and amenities.
For United, the CRJ550 offers a strategic advantage in catering to high-value travelers within key hubs.
Conversely, Delta utilizes the CRJ550 to provide services to smaller regional markets where the demand for first-class experiences remains robust, even on short-haul flights.
As regional aviation experiences this transformation, both United Airlines and Delta Air Lines are set to enhance the future of air travel across the U.S. and Canada, ensuring a luxurious and interconnected flying experience.
image source from：https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/united-states-and-canada-gain-unparalleled-regional-connectivity-as-united-and-delta-redefine-short-haul-travel-with-innovative-crj550-aircraft/
