Gary Leff asks, “Would You Fly 1700 Miles in a Regional Jet?” My answer is…depends on the jet. But in answer to the specific jet referred to in his question, the answer is YES.
United is adding several new domestic routes, including a 1,731 flight from Fresno (FAT) to Chicago (ORD). The flight will be operated by an Embraer E175, a regional jet featuring 12 seats in first class, 16 seats in EconomyPlus, and 48 seats in economy class. First class pitch is 37″, EconomyPlus is 34″, and economy class is 31″.
That’s a long flight…no doubt about it. But here are three reasons I prefer this aircraft to a mainline 737 or 757 on the same route.
1. No middle seats
Almost always, I am alone when I fly or fly with one companion. Even when I’m traveling with my wife and son, Augustine does not take up his own seat. I like not having a middle seat. The economy class seats, especially in EconomyPlus, are just as comfortable as the economy class on United Mainline.
I will concede that the lack of a power port behind the curtain is concerning for a flight that may stretch four hours, but I can get through a flight of that length if my devices are fully charged prior.
2. First Class is surprisingly comfortable + great upgrade ratio
First Class is configured 1-2 and your upgrade ratio on this aircraft is better than on most. The seat is comfortable and contains power ports. Furthermore, I find the tray tables particularly sturdy on this aircraft…there is nothing more annoying than a sagging tray table on an old mainline aircraft.
The downside is that sometimes the meals come out looking particularly bad. There are no ovens onboard so all meals are cold.
3. Gogo Wi-Fi
These United Express aircraft offer Gogo Wi-Fi, usually a more reliable alternative than United’s own proprietary system found on most mainline aircraft. I like the ability to use my American Express Business Platinum passes. Messaging is also free for T-Mobile customers.
CONCLUSION
I flew from Minneapolis to Los Angeles on the same aircraft earlier this year, a 1,536-mile flight. It was no problem. This new flight will not be a problem either. And arguably, it will be an even better in-flight experience than a larger mainline aircraft.
Not really the point of this post but Gary’s is the single most unreadable blog in any field I’ve come across. Plus he’s a bag of dicks ok byyyye.
Gary’s blog has seriously gone downhill recently. Thought leader of travel is a joke. This blog has surpassed Gary’s
I respect Gary as both an aviation expert and friend. Let’s not insult him here.
I prefer the Embraer aircraft compared to the 737 and A320 aircraft. The 2-2 configuration in economy and the 1-2 configuration in first class is for sure my favorite part of these aircraft. I have flown the YYZ-SEA (2061 miles) flight on AC in Y a few times on an E-190 and it was much more pleasant than the A320 I have flown from YYZ-YVR where it feels much more cramped. The one downside when flying the Embraer on long flights in economy is the lack of washrooms. There are only 2, one for business class and one for economy and the lines for the economy class washroom can get very long near the end of the long YYZ-SEA flight. AC also at least has USB ports in economy on their E-190s.
Thankfully the 50 seaters can’t go that far, right?`
Matthew, how have you been able to use T-mobile free wifi on United gogo flights? I never have. Their splash page doesn’t have the TMO click through option that I’ve been able to find.
Hi Brad, I’ve never had a problem using it. I just login to my Gogo account and the option to use my AMEX passes pops right up. I have some screenshots I can send you.
Amex passes sure, but T-mobile free messaging? I’d love to be able to use that.
I haven’t and I am not happy about it.
I’ve flown about that far in an E-175 (AS from DAL to PDX, which clocks in at 1,627 miles, and DL from JFK to DFW, at 1,392 miles). The first in coach, the second in F. DL F was better since you get power ports, but Y really wasn’t that bad. The lack of power is a real problem, and the seatbacks on that particular aircraft were rock hard, but the overall experience was no worse than standard Y in a 737 or A320. And as you point out, no middle seats and a good upgrade ratio are major pluses. So yes, while I still prefer larger aircraft, I’d do 1,700 miles in an E-170 or E-190 series without much hesitation.
Now, doing that in a CRJ is another story. I also once had to endure JFK to DFW in a CR7, and that was borderline torture. No thanks.
I agree that a CR7 is a whole different ballgame.
Thanks Matthew, that piece deserved this response.
I think most frequent UA flyers agree the E175 is preferable to UA’s A3xx and B737 for the reasons you list. The only downsides are the lack of hot food (no ovens), reduced overhead space, and sometimes hit or miss Express service.
If they could figure out a way to serve hot food they’d be just about perfect. Sitting in the solo seat in business class is a great way to travel domestically. Like a different world compared to UA’s disgusting EJ145’s.
I’d be content in the CRJ900 with the upgraded cabins for that distance.
Flew the E175 from YYZ – ORD last month in FC. I had seat 1A which is the first seat on the side with the singles. I’d definitely fly the E175 any day.
It’s been a couple of years, but B6 used to fly RJ’s nonstop between MSY and BOS. WAY better in Y than replacement 737’s on same route (and not even serving meals!).
don’t forget seat width on the ERJ is 18″ vs. 17.3″ on a 737 in Economy
Good point!
To be fair those seats in Y are plywood covered with pleather. They are a big step down from the regular UA mainline blue slimlines.
But agreed the rest of the E75 experience is solid ..
Absolutely yes. Had many flights between 3 and 4 hours on these planes up front and no complaints especially if I get a single seat like 2A, 3A, or 4A.