Streaming in-flight entertainment is coming to United’s smallest regional jet, a move that will be warmly welcomed by short-haul flyers.
Sarah Murphy, United Airlines’ Senior Vice President of United Express, shared the news:
“We have made the long-term commitment to the Embraer ERJ-145 and designed the comprehensive cabin, seat, and entertainment upgrade to deliver a contemporary customer experience. We’re confident that our partners at ExpressJet can execute that vision.”
As PaxEx.Aero notes, this news actually first came out last October but was quickly retracted as a premature announcement.
Open Questions About United’s New ERJ-145 IFE
There are still questions surrounding the new IFE upgrade.
- Will there be in-seat power or at least USB ports?
- Will there be wi-fi internet or just an intranet that will host the IFE?
Ideally, United will make the investment, but since these aircraft tend to show up on flights under 2.5 hours, it becomes less of an issue if the answer is no.
But More Regional Jets…
If you thought these old workhouses were on their way out, think again. United is contracting with ExpressJet to add 36 additional ERJ-145 aircraft over the next year. That will bring the total to nearly 130 jets.
Subodh Karnik, Chairman and CEO of ExpressJet Airlines, is understandably thrilled:
“United’s trust in ExpressJet is a testament to the dedication and adaptability of ExpressJet’s employees. Growing our fleet and upgrading the ERJ145s embodies our vision: ‘To be the United Express carrier that best understands and fulfills the needs of United Airlines.’”
ExpressJet’s gain is Trans States’ loss. The feeder carrier, which also flies ERJ-145s for United, will not see its contract renewed. Since United is its only client right now, that spells trouble for its pilots and flight attendants. Why the elimination? United’s pilot scope clause, which doesn’t allow unlimited regional jets.
United will also maintain its large CRJ-200 fleet, concentrated in the west with SkyWest. Plus, it is adding 20 additional CRJ-550s at GoJet. No word yet on whether the CRJ-200 fleet will also receive streaming in-flight entertainment.
> Read More: Exploring United’s Swanky New CRJ-550 “Luxury” Regional Jet
CONCLUSION
The end goal is a seamless, operationally-reliable organization. Murphy added:
“We are working hard to achieve our goal of making United Express the best express operation in the industry.”
And that should be the main goal. But may I suggest mood lighting as well? It continues to amaze me how mood lighting can make even the oldest aircraft feel modern. Why does a “modern” feel matter? Because passengers report a better overall experience with simple touches like cool lighting effects. That creates loyalty. Think how “modern” Delta makes its older fleet look thanks to clean cabins and nice lighting. But the streaming IFE will certainly help as well.
FYI, Cranky Flier addressed the TransStates issue yesterday. The 36 E-145s coming to ExpressJet are being transferred from TransStates, with the latter ceasing operations entirely. TransStates employees can apply for open positions at other UA regional carriers, though apparently the hope is for the pilots to move to GoJet to address the shortage there.
https://crankyflier.com/2020/02/25/united-shuffles-its-express-carriers-trans-states-will-disappear/
The seniority issues are going to be a sticking point for many, I’m sure, so I’m curious how/if all that works itself out.
A pox on the E145s and CR2s. OK for sub-400 mile flights, not for 1,000-1,500 mile ones.
Republic is still Number 1 in Regional Flying for United in On-Time Arrival and Departures along with Customer Service.
Are the pilots of theses jets rookies? are they the same pilots that flew the turbo props before they were retired?
I just asking because I’m still thinking it would be better to fly on the bigger jets because the pilots have more experience. Does anyone have any Idea how many hour theses regional pilots have ,beyond the 1500 hours needed for ATP rating?
I’m still worried about flying in theses jets, i want to fly with the most experienced pilots.
Thanks
KP, you should fly with FedEx or UPS then. That’s where all the experienced pilots go…
United does not use its small jets solely for “short-haul” flights. I once connected out of Chicago to Portland, Oregon, and was disappointed to board a E170 for the 3.5-hour trip. Same for the return. A few months later I was on a CRJ travelling fron DC-Dulles to San Antonio. U.S. carriers are the only airlines on earth that use these cramped tiny planes to fly long haul. It’s embarrassing.
Then you should get a private plane.
Pilots who fly smaller aircraft are not rookies. Some just simply like having a nice schedule and to live at base.
Does this mean that United will be upgrading the (awful) CRJ 200? This article suggests “entertainment” but i would swap that for a less tight cabin.
No Upgrades on CRJ-200.
The CRJ-200, aka the BadDreamliner, is the worst plane in the regional fleet. The ERJ-145 is an Airbus 380 in comparison.
Better entertainment on a CRT200 is not going to make it bearable. The best thing that can be done with those is to sell them for scrap. I don’t fly United but Delta, whom I do fly, uses them too.
CRJ
The EMB 145 are not new they are just going from one regional to another regional after the first one is dissolving after 40 years. Thanks for mentioning that
But still not on the Crappy Repugnant Jet-200. Yay. I feel like that’s all I fly with SkyWest out here.
CRJ200 = Devil’s Chariot