United Airlines is adding 20 more dual-class Bombardier CRJ550 jets
United Airlines is betting on the continued success of the Bombardier CRJ550 with a commitment for 20 more of the type by next year.
The Chicago-based carrier is adding the additional CRJ550s, its first 50-seat regional jet with a first-class cabin, to its agreement with regional affiliate GoJet Airlines, Trans States-owned GoJet said Wednesday. The additional aircraft, which will give United a fleet of 74 CRJ550s by the end of 2021, will begin arriving this summer.
The CRJ550, a re-certified variant of the Bombardier CRJ700, is outfitted with 10 seats in first class, 20 in Economy Plus and 20 in economy. The jets feature several closets that allow passengers to forgo gate-checking carry-on bags and are configured with a self-serve pantry for first-class customers.
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Notably for United, the aircraft allowed it to offer first-class seats on routes where it was unable to do so with its prior regional fleet because of caps on large regional jets, typically those with 65-76 seats, under its agreement with pilots.
"Our customers are telling us they love flying the CRJ550 and we're excited to continue growing our fleet and our long-standing relationship with GoJet," Sarah Murphy, senior vice president of United Express at United, said in a statement.
United introduced the CRJ550 on flights between its Chicago O'Hare (ORD) base and 15 cities, including Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (MDT), and Northwest Arkansas near Fayetteville, Arkansas (XNA), in October. The jets now fly numerous routes from the airline's Chicago, Newark Liberty (EWR) and — beginning in March — Washington Dulles (IAD) hubs.
Related: What it’s like flying United’s new CRJ550
United initially committed to 50 CRJ550s with Trans States-owned GoJet in February 2019, upping that to 54 jets last June.
By adding the 50-seat jets to its feeder fleet and in turn reducing the number of CRJ700s it flies, United is able to add more Embraer 175s. The airline ordered 20 more of the E-Jets with deliveries this year in December.
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees