Regional jets carry 28 to 110 passengers usually in rows of two by two
or one by two. While introduced to replace turbo props on short
flights because of their speed, perceived safety and modern image, they
are now being used to replace main-line jet routes and to fly new, longer
routes.
Some RJs have higher interior ceilings and wider aisles than
turbo-props yet still feel cramped when full. There is usually
minimal carry-on space but you can often leave and retrieve your luggage
beside the plane, saving a trip to the luggage carousel. On short
flights, the faster speed of the RJ makes very little difference compared
with turbo-props but they can get above the bad weather and make the
flight smoother.
Turbo props have been used to feed the hubs of the major airlines from
near-by cities usually within 450 miles. That is a two hour flight
and about the tolerance of the passenger. The major airlines are now
using RJs on flights over 3 hours to more distant cities. In some
cases, the RJs are replacing 737s and MD-80s while some RJs are opening new
routes to/from the hubs. Some RJs have the range to go 2,000 miles
or over 4 hours.
Major airlines limit the number, size and locations of RJs they or
their commuter partners can fly. I will not get into the specifics
but they cost less to fly per passenger mile.
I feel there are two reasons that we will see more RJs:
- With the hassles of security, passengers are more willing to tolerate a
longer flight in an RJ rather than make connections. For example:
flying from Lansing to Atlanta, you must connect in Chicago, Detroit,
Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, etc. Whether flying to the first hub
in a turbo-prop or RJ is irrelevant. If Delta offers a 2 1/2 hour
non-stop from Lansing to Atlanta, the passenger will take it if the price
is the same or close. If you want to go from Shreveport to Denver
and United offers a non-stop in an RJ, why change in Memphis, Houston, St.
Louis or Dallas? Non-stop RJs will not have the frequency that will
be offered by connecting but the passengers will prefer non-stop RJ
flights.
- The major carriers are under direct attack by low cost carriers like
Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier, AirTran, Spirit and more. The majors must also
compete indirectly with each other. If they can offer (via their
commuter partners) RJ non-stops, they can protect their customer base
while attempting to gain market share. The major carriers can not
survive a multi-front war.
Bottom line:
Look for new service between secondary cities and
hubs in the 400-2,000 mile range. Also look for RJs to replace
some main-line jets when the contract with the main line employees allows. RJs: cost the airline less to
fly, go fast, are quiet, fly high, economically fly up to 2,500 miles,
serve smaller cities without forcing a connection and are fairly new. This is
great news for service to/from smaller airports.
RJ Detail:
There are 2 major RJ manufacturers: Bombardier
(CRJ) and Embraer (ERx). You can visit their web
sites for more detail and photos.
