Flying Delta on the Bombardier CRJ900: A Smooth Ride from St. Louis to New York City
Saint Louis, Missouri to New York City ✈
I recently flew Delta from St. Louis, Missouri, to LaGuardia Airport in New York City on a Bombardier CRJ900. This plane is part of the CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) family, a series of regional jets designed for shorter, more efficient flights, typically operated by regional carriers under major airline brands like Delta. Bombardier, a Canadian aerospace company, was known for producing various aircraft, and the CRJ series became a key player in the regional jet market. The CRJ900 is an extended version of the original CRJ200 and CRJ700 models, with more seating and improved range.
Bombardier’s aviation history began in the 1980s, evolving from their work in trains and snowmobiles to planes. The CRJ program started in the early 1990s with the CRJ100 and CRJ200, which were designed to carry around 50 passengers. Over time, Bombardier expanded the range with the larger CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000 models, which increased capacity to meet growing demand for regional flights. The CRJ series became popular with airlines because of their fuel efficiency and the ability to serve smaller markets that larger planes couldn’t. However, Bombardier exited the commercial aircraft market in 2020, selling the CRJ program to Mitsubishi.
“My flight out of St. Louis on the Bombardier CRJ900 was a smooth and efficient regional trip.”
The CRJ900 I flew on seats about 76 passengers, with a 2-2 seating configuration in coach. It’s not the most spacious plane, and legroom in economy class can feel a bit tight, especially for longer flights. Overhead bin space is limited, so carry-on bags that fit in larger jets might need to be gate-checked. Compared to bigger jets like Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s, the CRJ900 feels narrower and less roomy, but for short regional flights, it’s practical.
On this flight, I was seated in coach in a window seat. One of the first things I noticed was that the windows were misaligned with all the seats, making it difficult to get a direct view outside. To look out, I had to lean forward quite a bit, which wasn’t the most comfortable way to enjoy the scenery.
Business class is arranged in a 1-2 configuration. This setup provides more space and comfort, with larger seats, more legroom, and priority boarding. However, Business class on this regional jet isn’t as spacious as it would be on larger aircraft.
My seat was just a few rows behind the exit row. At one point, the flight attendant asked the passengers in that row if they would be able to assist in an emergency, as required. One large man said he would not be able to help. What struck me was that he seemed a little annoyed about being asked to move. It made me wonder if he was a novice flyer, unfamiliar with the responsibilities of sitting in an exit row. He was eventually reseated, and luckily didn’t cause a big commotion.
One of the benefits of the CRJ900 is that it has better performance than older regional jets, offering a smoother and quieter flight experience. It’s also designed to have lower operating costs, which is why it’s a popular choice for airlines that operate short-haul routes. While the onboard amenities aren’t as extensive as what you'd find on larger aircraft, the flight was comfortable enough for the duration, and Delta’s service was reliable.
The flight from St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) took about 2 hours. In terms of flight performance, the CRJ900 handled well during both takeoff and landing. The flight from was smooth, with minimal turbulence. Despite the compact nature of the plane, it didn’t feel cramped, though I did notice that the lavatories were smaller than on larger jets.
The Bombardier CRJ900 is similar to the Embraer 175, which I flew in Business Class on American Airlines from LaGuardia Airport in New York City to St. Louis, Missouri. These aircraft are widely used by major airlines for routes connecting smaller cities or serving secondary routes between major hubs.
Similarities Between the CRJ900 and Embraer 175
1. Capacity and Configuration:
Both jets seat around 70-80 passengers, with comparable cabin layouts. The CRJ900 typically seats about 76 passengers, while the Embraer 175 can seat around 76-88 passengers, depending on the airline's configuration. Both jets offer a similar mix of first class or business class and economy seating.
2. Cabin Comfort:
In terms of passenger comfort, both planes are designed with short regional flights in mind, so they share similar space limitations. However, passengers often report that the Embraer 175 feels roomier, mainly because its windows are better aligned with the seats, offering a more comfortable viewing experience. The CRJ900, on the other hand, has misaligned windows, as I experienced on my Delta flight, requiring passengers to lean forward to see out. The overall seating comfort in both jets is decent for short flights, though neither is as spacious as larger jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.
3. Performance and Efficiency:
Both the CRJ900 and Embraer 175 are highly efficient, optimized for shorter routes with lower operating costs. They both perform well in terms of fuel economy, making them popular choices for regional airlines. Their range and speed are similar, allowing airlines to operate them on routes of comparable distance.
4. Passenger Experience:
While both jets offer relatively quiet and smooth flights, the Embraer 175 has a slight edge when it comes to in-flight experience. Many passengers find the cabin on the Embraer 175 to feel less cramped, and the layout of the seats and windows is more ergonomic. That said, both jets are solid performers, and they get the job done effectively for short regional flights.
In my experience, the Bombardier CRJ900 and Embraer 175 are close competitors, each offering regional airlines a dependable, efficient jet for these types of routes. For passengers, the experience is similar, though the Embraer 175 may feel slightly more comfortable in terms of cabin design and seating.
Early Bombardier History
Bombardier has an interesting history that spans multiple industries, beginning far from aviation. The company was founded in 1942 by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in Quebec, Canada, with its roots in snowmobiles. Bombardier created the first commercially successful snowmobile, the B7, which led to the development of the famous Ski-Doo line of recreational vehicles. The company diversified into different areas, including trains and eventually aviation, becoming a major player in the aerospace sector.
Entry into Aviation
Bombardier entered the aerospace industry in 1986 when it acquired Canadair, a struggling Canadian aircraft manufacturer. This marked the beginning of Bombardier’s rise as an aircraft manufacturer. Canadair had developed business jets, including the Challenger series, which Bombardier improved and marketed successfully.
In the early 1990s, Bombardier launched the CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) series, which was a major milestone in commercial aviation. The CRJ100 and CRJ200 models were designed to fill the gap between small turboprop planes and larger jets, making regional air travel more efficient. These jets quickly gained popularity due to their fuel efficiency, lower operating costs, and ability to serve smaller airports that larger aircraft couldn’t reach.
The Rise of the CRJ Series
The CRJ series helped transform the regional airline market. Bombardier expanded the line with larger versions, like the CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000, offering more capacity while maintaining the operational benefits of a regional jet. The CRJ900, like the one I flew on, can carry about 76 passengers and has a longer range than its predecessors, making it ideal for short- to medium-haul flights.
Expanding Beyond Regional Jets
In the late 1990s, Bombardier further diversified into the commercial jet market with the CSeries. This new line of single-aisle jets was designed to compete with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. However, the development of the CSeries faced delays, cost overruns, and financial difficulties. Bombardier eventually sold a majority stake in the CSeries program to Airbus in 2018, and the aircraft was rebranded as the Airbus A220.
Exit from Aviation
In 2020, Bombardier exited the commercial aviation sector altogether. The company sold its remaining CRJ program to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which now manages the CRJ series. Bombardier's decision to focus solely on its train business marked the end of an era for the company in aviation. While Bombardier no longer manufactures planes, its legacy in the regional jet market lives on through the many CRJs still in service worldwide.
Things to do in St. Louis
During my visit to St. Louis, I explored several iconic landmarks, starting with Gateway Arch National Park. The park is home to The Gateway Arch, the most recognizable monument in the city. At 630 feet tall, it’s the world’s tallest arch and symbolizes the westward expansion of the United States. I purchased tickets to take the Tram Ride to the Top, where I enjoyed panoramic views of downtown St. Louis from the west-facing windows and the Mississippi River from the east-facing side. I also spent time at the Museum at the Gateway Arch, which is free and covers the history of the Arch and the city’s role in the westward expansion. Additionally, I watched the documentary film detailing the construction of the Arch, a fascinating look at the engineering and vision behind this massive project.
After visiting the Arch, I took a St. Louis Riverfront Cruise on the Mississippi River. I boarded the "Tom Sawyer" riverboat, one of the boats used for these tours. The cruise offered a relaxing way to see the city from the water while learning about the history of St. Louis as a major port city. It was a nice complement to the land-based activities and gave me a broader perspective of the city’s connection to the river.
My flight out of St. Louis on the Bombardier CRJ900 was a smooth and efficient regional trip. While the seating configuration, especially the misaligned windows, wasn’t ideal, it was a comfortable enough experience for a short-haul flight. Delta’s service was reliable, and it served its purpose well for the journey back to New York City.
