It’s not typically that you just hear vacationers sing the praises of a regional jet, however that may be about to vary aboard Delta Air Lines.

The Atlanta-based service’s regional affiliate SkyWest Airlines will introduce the custom-configured Bombardier CRJ-550 regional jet on choose Delta Connection flights, as first reported by AirlineGeeks and later confirmed to TPG by a service spokesperson.

Delta’s CRJ-550 will debut in the coming weeks, and it’s outfitted in the very same configuration as United Airlines’. The jet will function 10 first-class recliners, in addition to 20 extra-legroom Comfort+ seats and 20 normal economic system seats.

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Unlike different regional jets, the CRJ-550 will even function three special baggage closets between first-class and economic system, with house for a handful of full-size rollaboards. Typically, when flying on a small regional jet, massive carry-on baggage have to be gate-checked or valeted for supply after the flight.

This course of takes up treasured time throughout connections and can also be a approach for vacationers to lose their baggage. (That’s why I all the time suggest utilizing Apple AirTags, even once you’re touring with solely carry-ons.)

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In addition to the storage closets, first-class passengers will take pleasure in a small walk-up bar space stocked with snacks and smooth drinks in the galley.

Across all three cabins, the CRJ-550 will match a complete of fifty passengers — a quantity that was deliberately chosen by Delta for one massive strategic cause.

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Major U.S. airways have so-called scope clauses with their pilot unions that restrict the variety of flights that may be operated with regional jets. These scope clauses are designed to make sure that carriers will not merely outsource as a lot flying as attainable to (cheaper) regional associates.

Scope clauses put a cap on the variety of flights that may be operated by smaller regional jets. However, there’s sometimes one massive exemption from these scope clauses: They do not apply to regional jets that match 50 passengers or fewer.

As for the CRJ-550, this aircraft is purposefully laid out to accommodate simply 50 passengers. In truth, the fuselage of the CRJ-550 is the very same one as the CRJ-700, which might match round 70 passengers.

However, as a result of the scope clause, Delta cannot merely add extra flights on the CRJ-700 (and even bigger regional jets) if it desires to develop its regional operations.

It can take away seats from regional jets to accommodate 50 passengers, thereby avoiding violating the scope clause and giving passengers a extra snug onboard expertise.

In truth, this can be a transfer first popularized by United, and its United Express regional division. The Chicago-based service was the first airline to fly the CRJ-550 again in 2019. Given the aircraft’s premium-heavy configuration, it now operates on a few of the airline’s extra business-focused regional routes, resembling between Newark and Washington, D.C.

Five years later, Delta appears to agree that United’s transfer is certainly one value copying. There’s no telling but which routes Delta’s CRJ-550 will fly, however the airline did affirm that the CRJ-550 will substitute single-class regional jets.

“SkyWest is in the process of implementing the CRJ550 in its Delta Connection operations later this year. The two-class CRJ550 will be modified from SkyWest’s existing fleet and will replace flying that was previously single-class to align with the Delta Connection experience customers have come to expect from Delta,” Delta shared in an announcement.

As Delta leans into its technique of being the most premium U.S. airline, it is smart for the airline to introduce the CRJ-550. The airline’s mainline pilots won’t love the transfer, however it’s a win-win for passengers and the service.

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