Regional jets have a reputation for being disliked by many passengers due to their uncomfortable and cramped cabins, which offer limited space for both carry-on luggage and passengers. Despite a decline in their use, they remain a common choice for certain routes, leaving travelers with little alternative.
Recent high-profile incidents, such as the Delta Air Lines-branded flight that overturned and caught fire upon landing in Toronto, and the fatal collision between a US Army helicopter and an American Airlines-branded regional jet at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, have brought attention to the safety of smaller jets. Investigations into the causes of these crashes are ongoing.
While regional jets are not favored by passengers, airlines are aware of this sentiment. United Airlines, for example, made a substantial order for larger narrow-body jets to reduce the reliance on regional jets, citing customer dissatisfaction. Despite their perceived discomfort, industry experts emphasize that regional jets are as safe as larger aircraft.
Regional jets are a significant component of the operations of major US airlines, such as United, American, and Delta, often operated by feeder airlines under the main carrier’s name. These feeder airlines typically offer lower wages and benefits to employees compared to mainline carriers. Despite their drawbacks, regional jets play a crucial role in serving routes that are not economically viable for full-size jets.
While regional carriers account for a sizable portion of US flights, offering essential connectivity to airports that are not served by mainline operations, many passengers have limited options when it comes to air travel. Despite their limitations, these flights cater to a significant portion of travelers and play a vital role in the aviation ecosystem.
According to Cirium, more than a thousand miles will be the average distance of regional jet flights in the United States this year. The ill-fated flight from Wichita, Kansas, to Washington, DC had flown over 1,100 miles before its tragic crash moments before landing. Similarly, the flight from Minneapolis to Toronto, which crashed this past Monday, had covered a distance of 678 miles. Notably, there are regional flights connecting Houston to Portland, Maine, and Minneapolis to San Francisco that exceed 1,500 miles in length.
While smaller jets are commonly utilized to link smaller markets with larger cities, they also serve major city connections. Regional jets dominate over 80% of the flights between Boston and New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and 71% of the flights between Los Angeles and San Jose. Additionally, close to half of the flights between Boston and Washington are operated by regional jets. As aviation analyst Boyd pointed out, during off-peak times, smaller 50-seater jets can efficiently serve these major routes with lower demand.
The landscape for regional jets is evolving due to changing economics. A shortage of pilots has resulted in a significant surge in wages at regional airlines, traditionally seen as entry-level positions for freshly graduated pilots. Pilot career consultant Kit Darby highlighted that regional airline pilot pay has escalated by 500%, with starting salaries jumping from $25,000 to $125,000 in recent years. The increased wages necessitate higher occupancy rates to cover the rising pilot costs, prompting the grounding of numerous older regional jets.
Currently, approximately 350 regional jets are parked due to the pilot shortage or high operating expenses. Many older aircraft require substantial engine and equipment upgrades, costing upwards of $1 million per plane to remain operational. Boyd emphasized that the parked jets are likely to remain permanently grounded, especially smaller 50-seater planes, as the expense of returning them to service is prohibitive. For more news and newsletters from CNN, sign up for an account on CNN.com.
