Delta's most uncomfortable regional jet makes a surprise comeback
The most uncomfortable regional jet is making a comeback on Delta Air Lines.
The Atlanta-based carrier plans to fly the CRJ-200 — a 50-seat all-economy jet — on a handful of routes from Detroit and Salt Lake City over the coming weeks, Cirium schedules show. This includes the following routes:
- Detroit to Alpena, Michigan
- Detroit to Escanaba, Michigan
- Salt Lake City to Butte, Montana
- Salt Lake City to Casper, Wyoming
- Salt Lake City to Cedar City, Utah
- Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, Montana
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All of this CRJ-200 flying comes after Delta "retired" the jet from its fleet just about eight months ago.
The CRJ-200 features just 13 rows of economy seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. These planes have overhead bins that can only hold the smallest backpacks, and without Wi-Fi or power outlets, the passenger experience feels in some ways like a blast from the past. (Larger carry-on bags must be valeted at the gate for pickup on arrival.)
And if you need to use the bathroom during the flight, you might need to practice some human Tetris, because fitting inside the lavatory can be a real challenge.
Delta, along with its big U.S. competitors, has flown the CRJ-200 for years. It's a popular regional jet for route planners for many reasons. It's cheaper to operate than some of the larger aircraft, and with just 50 seats, it helps carriers work around their scope clauses with their pilot unions that limit how much outsourced flying each carrier can do. These scope clauses are designed to ensure that carriers won't simply outsource as much flying as possible to cheaper regional affiliates.
In fact, these regional jets aren't actually operated by Delta. Instead, they're flown by affiliate carriers — some wholly owned by the airline, such as Endeavor Air, and others, like SkyWest Airlines and Republic Airways, that contract with Delta in smaller regional markets.
In this case, SkyWest is actually operating the new CRJ-200 flights for Delta Connection. Aside from maybe an announcement at the gate and perhaps a placard or two onboard, some travelers may not actually be able to tell the difference between a typical Delta Connection flight operated by SkyWest and one operated by Delta's mainline aircraft — though those onboard a CRJ-200 are likely to notice the plane's cramped cabin.
The CRJ-200 has long been at the bottom of the rankings for comfort, and many flyers might be surprised to see Delta — one of the nation's most premium-centric airlines — bring the jet back from retirement.
Turns out, the carrier has a good reason for the move. Summer demand in many markets remains strong, and Delta's regional partner SkyWest has been focused on debuting the new CRJ-550 regional jet into its Delta Connection network.
"As we continue to transition our CRJ-550 fleet and to ensure adequate fleet resources during the busy summer travel season, SkyWest may utilize the CRJ-200 in some Delta Connection markets in July on an as-needed basis. All associated aircraft substitutions are temporary in nature and will not affect flight schedules or frequencies," Marissa Snow, SkyWest's managing director of communications, said in a statement.
The CRJ-200 flying will seemingly stop once the airline has enough CRJ-550 regional jets in operation, but it's not clear when that time might come. Delta's CRJ-550 is based on the fuselage of the larger CRJ-700, but it features just 50 seats.
However, those 50 seats are arranged in a far more comfortable configuration than in the CRJ-200. The CRJ-550 sports 10 first-class recliners, as well as 20 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 20 standard economy seats.
Unlike other regional jets, the CRJ-550 will also feature three special luggage closets between first class and economy, with space for a handful of full-size rollaboards. SkyWest will fly the CRJ-550 on routes that previously featured single-cabin aircraft like the CRJ-200.
However, until there are enough CRJ-550s in the fleet, Delta passengers should beware that they might experience a temporary downgrade.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.