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.

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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.

Related reading:

• Your complete guide to the Delta SkyMiles program
• Best Delta credit cards
• Delta Medallion status: What it is and how to earn it
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• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• How to survive basic economy on Delta Air Lines