Friday, June 13th, 2025
The US and Canada are located in the historic New Age cusp of regional flights, as United Airlines expands its powerful CRJ550 fleet at a very fast pace, and Delta strategically increases high-end routes, providing top-notch comfort, unparalleled passenger comfort and best regional connectivity in both countries.
In 2019, Bombardier introduced the CRJ550, showing significant innovation in regional aviation. As the first triple class 50-seat aircraft, the CRJ550 is designed to meet the evolving demands of the US domestic market, allowing small regional jets to offer a more premium experience. Bombardier has since sold the CRJ program to Mitsubishi and has been selling the CRJ program since selling the CRJ 550, but the CRJ550 continues to operate through two major US airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Built on the CRJ700's aircraft, the CRJ550 offers a configuration featuring first-class, premium economy and economy seats. It was developed to provide greater cabin comfort, enhanced passenger facilities such as self-service drink stations, and more generous legroom. This configuration allowed carriers to maintain premium service standards while remaining within the scope clause limits imposed by pilot contracts that reduce the size and number of regional jets operated by feeder carriers.
United Airlines became the first airline to introduce the CRJ550 and continues to operate the largest fleet of this aircraft model. A regional partner, Gojet Airlines operates aircraft for United, focusing primarily on the high-yield business market where premium seating needs are high. First launched in October 2019, United deployed the CRJ550 to connect the Chicago O'Hare Hub to 15 regional destinations, including Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis. Over time, United expanded the operation of the CRJ550 with additional hubs such as Newark and Washington Dulles.
According to Cirium data, United Airlines was scheduled to depart around 2,008 CRJ550 per week in June. Most of these (700 flights a week) are operated from Chicago O'Hare. Newark continues with 174 departures per week, while Washington Dulles watches 139 flights per week. These hubs serve as a central point in United's CRJ550 operations, serving premium customers who connect primarily to long distance and international flights.
United's Chicago O'Hare's most trafficked CRJ550 routes feature 32 flights including St. Louis, 28 Chattanooga, and 26 flights of Dayton and Little Rock, respectively. Uniquely, United offers international services on the CRJ550 and is flying from Chicago to Ottawa, Canada. This route was originally released in February 2023, temporarily suspended, and resumed in the second half of 2024.
The CRJ550 network remains focused on United's major hubs. Aside from some one-stop itineraries, almost all flights begin or end in Chicago, Newark, or Washington Dulles. For example, one one-stop route connects Rochester to Little Rock via Chicago O'Hare, while another route links St. Louis and Chattanooga via the same hub.
Newark operates 15 CRJ550 routes, with the busiest routes, including 34 flights per week to Washington National and three daily flights to Richmond, which are within 300 miles. The Buffalo also stands out with up to three daily flights, except on Saturdays when the frequencies drop to two.
Washington Dulles operates 16 CRJ550 routes, and Ottawa stands out as one of the most active, offering 21 flights per week. Richmond takes the lead from Dulles on a 22-week departure. Four CRJ550 flights daily connect Dulles and Richmond on Thursday and Friday.
While United Airlines dominates the CRJ550 market, Delta Air Lines incorporates aircraft into its network, albeit on a much smaller scale. Delta's regional partner Skywest Airlines operates the CRJ550 in Delta, offering a more limited but targeted service network compared to United.
In June, Delta Air Lines was scheduled for a 251-week departure of the CRJ550 at three hubs: Minneapolis ST. Paul, Salt Lake City, Detroit. Minneapolis-St. Paul serves as Delta's busiest CRJ550 hub, serving 118 flights per week. The main routes from Minneapolis include two-day service to small regional airports such as Aberdeen, Bemidji, Rhinelander and Williston. In total, Delta operates 11 CRJ550 routes from this Minnesota hub.
Salt Lake City supports 79 CRJ550 departures per week. Although there are few destinations, Delta frequently operates flights to several locations. St. George Regional Airport receives 30 flights a week, while Cedar City and Grand Junction each watch 12 flights.
Detroit is the smallest CRJ550 operation in the Delta network, with 54 departures per week at six destinations. These include two-day flights to Perston Regional Airport and 12 flights per week to Alpena County Regional Airport. Interestingly, Detroit is the only US airport where both Delta and United operate the CRJ550, with United offering three flights a week from Chicago O'Hare.
The CRJ550's unique configuration and service model allows both United and Delta to offer premium regional products, often providing passengers connecting to long distance flights that expect a higher standard of comfort and amenities. For United, the CRJ550 provides the opportunity to serve high-value customers connecting through major hubs such as Chicago, Newark, and Washington Dulles, and stays within the limits of scope clauses that control local operations.
In the case of Delta, the CRJ550 allows for service to small regional markets that may not support large aircraft, whilst offering premium products. With limited deployments, Delta can coordinate services to niche routes where first-class demand remains strong even for short-distance flights.
The US and Canada experience innovative transformations in regional aviation, United Airlines will rapidly grow the CRJ550 Fleet, and Delta will increase premium routes of unparalleled levels of luxury and connectivity.
The CRJ550 represents a key regional aviation innovation, simultaneously addressing passenger comfort, operational constraints and market demand. As local travel continues to evolve, both United and Delta have demonstrated that the strong potential of premium services remains even on smaller regional routes. While Bombardier no longer produces commercial aircraft, the CRJ550 remains a lasting legacy of contributions to the evolution of regional aviation in North America.
