Bombardier CRJ-200

The Bombardier CRJ-200 typically seats 50 passengers in an all-economy configuration with a 2-2 seating arrangement. The cabin is narrow at just 2.10 m wide, making it one of the tightest commercial aircraft in service. Overhead bin space is limited, so most carry-on bags must be gate-checked.

The Bombardier CRJ-200 has a maximum range of approximately 3,148 km (1,700 nautical miles). This makes it well-suited for short domestic hops and regional routes such as Chicago to Nashville or Toronto to Halifax. The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF34-3B1 turbofan engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage.

The CRJ-200 and ERJ-145 are direct competitors in the 50-seat regional jet segment. The CRJ-200 has a slightly wider cabin (2.10 m vs 2.06 m) and greater range (3,148 km vs 2,963 km). The ERJ-145 features a more conventional low-wing design, while the CRJ-200 has its engines mounted on the rear fuselage in a T-tail configuration. Both types have seen declining use as airlines transition to larger regional jets.

The CRJ-200 is identifiable by its distinctive T-tail with engines mounted on either side of the rear fuselage. It has a slender fuselage with small oval windows and a pointed nose. The aircraft sits low to the ground and typically uses airstairs rather than jet bridges. Its overall appearance is sleek and tube-like, noticeably smaller than mainline jets.

The CRJ-200 evolved from the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ-100) which first flew in 1991, making it one of the pioneering regional jets. Over 1,000 CRJ-100/200 aircraft were delivered, transforming the regional airline industry by replacing turboprops on many routes. Production ended in 2006, and many CRJ-200s have been retired or converted to cargo aircraft. SkyWest Airlines and Endeavor Air were among the last major operators in the United States.