Delta just changed my flight to a SMALL PLANE, what do I do now?

[Redmic]

I am so upset with Delta right now! I bought my family's tickets months ago, so I would be assured of getting a good flight (MD-80). Delta just changed my flight to a "regional jet" (50 seater). I do NOT like small planes! Has anyone flown on one of these? How was it? I will try to change my flight, but the only other flight that day seems to be sold out! I feel I am not getting what I paid for. If I wanted the smaller, cheaper plane I would have booked it in the first place. Any thoughts on what I should do? Thanks!

[Chuck S]

I've never flown one of the small jets, so I don't know about leg room, etc. But, as long as it is a jet and not a prop, I'd try it once, just to see what it's like. I guess, too, it would depend on how long of a flight you're taking.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

They are flying a regional jet from Maine to FL? That is amazing. BTW, I hate small planes too, especially prop jets.

[carrieann]

I really feel for you...I hate small planes too! I almost have panic attacks on anything smaller than an MD80, I have noticed that it seems to be worse when I sit by the engines. If you can't change the flight, maybe you could choose the seat?

[Redmic]

Gail, there are no direct flights from Maine to Florida:( , so I would take the mini-plane to Cincinnati and then connect to a "real" plane. I'm still trying to weigh my options (they're aren't many!) Thanks.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I could probably deal with a small plane on a short flight to Cinci. but not much further.
Try to keep positive and think, I am going to Disney World. :)

[Kermit]

I don't have any advice, but you do have my sympathy. I hate small planes and refuse to fly on prop planes. I would call and see if there is any other flight you could take if it's important to you. They may have another slightly longer route you could take. Most airports have a daily flight to DC, you could see if that's on a larger plane.

[jctwizzer]

We have flown on several the the regional carriers and their smaller planes with no problems. And that includes one prop plane. In many cases, its the only way to get where you're going (at the price you want to pay). It's really not a big deal unless you feel complelled to make it one...........have fun;) p.s. a 50 person plane is not small----small is 16 person planes used for inter-island flights in the caribbean and even Hawaii..

[travelcoupons]

I flew a Delta CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) once. I thought I wouldn't like it because it was smaller, but it was a smooth ride and not at all uncomfortable. The only major difference I noticed was a little less headroom when you stood up. Seats are 2 x 2 instead of 3 x3 or 2 x3.
These CRJ's are usually newer planes as opposed to the older MD-80's.

[Poohlovr]

Flying out of Louisville, we don't have much choice in what we fly, so, I've flown numerous times on the Regional jets and never had a proble. The flight was no different that the 767 I changed to as far as being a smooth flight. Certainly as much leg and seat room as the 727's I'm usually on....You only notice that it's smaller if you actually look around the cabin. Oh, and I believe there's only one flight attendant.

[NCRedding]

I felt just like you before my flight last Saturday and today. I did not like the idea of flying on the Regional Jet. However, now I really like them, and would be happy to fly one again. The headroom is smaller when you are standing, but the leg room was great. I never felt crowded at all. When you are seated, it doesn't feel any different from a big jet. There is only on flight attendant, but she was able to service the entire cabin much more quickly than on any other flight I've ever been on. The best part: when we arrived at MCo by the time we had gotten to baggage claim, our luggage was ready to be picked up. Between the small jet and Emerald Aisle with National, we were on 417 to Disney within 30 minutes of our flight landing. One other thing, the overhead compartments are very small, but the under seat storage is much larger. They also offer gate checking which is very convenient.

[ohiowilly]

Hello:

Like several others who've posted, I too was concerned with my first booking on a CRJ-the regional jet used by Delta's regional partners. After my first flights, I'm convinced that it is a great aircraft, and I have no hesitation whatsoever to fly on them. As someone else has already posted, headroom above the seats is really the only difference in appearance from the cabin of an MD-80, DC-9, 737, etc. The 2 x 2 seating configuration is actually better than the larger jets. In the air, the flying experience felt no different than larger aircraft.

If it makes you feel more comfortable, there are several websites with photos of the cabin of the CRJ/Bombardier. Just do a websearch under CRJ, or Canadair Regional Jet.

I hope your trip goes well!!

[horseshowmom]

I liked the regional jets too. I found them very comfortable and really more pleasant than the larger planes. Of course, I liked the prop one too the one time I flew on it, but it wasn't as nice as the regional jet.

[K9pal]

Same thing happened to us for our September trip, but you know what? It turned out to be the best thing that happened to us! These are jets, not prop planes. We found they actually had more leg room than the bigger jets. Same beverage service, etc. But, since they are smaller, they have a higher rate of being on-time.
When we returned home, 4 days after the Attack on America, we had absolutely no problem with the flight - none of the smaller flights had been cancelled and all were running on time. And since it was a direct flight, and not routed through Atlanta, we avoided any delays there. We even made it home 20 minutes early.
We would absolutely do this again, and yet I was so upset when I first found out!!

And hey, Poohlovr, we fly out of Louisville too!

[sarha]

We also were switched to a smaller plane, and it turned out well. My one piece of advice would be to avoid seats over the wing. That was where we were seated, and it must have been right over the engine because it was very noisy. No problems other than the noise.

[georgiapeach60]

This probably isn't helpful but I do have a story. last year when my friend went to China to pick up her adoptive daughter I went with her. They had a 2 yo son at home and a husband who hates to fly so he stayed home. We arranged to go early so that we could do some sight seeing. One of the places we wanted to go was a little out of the way. On the day we were to leave they led us out onto the tarmac(sp) and we walked up to this little plane. We climbed up a rickity ladder and boarded. There were two rows of two seats, one on the left and one on the right and all of the seat backs had been folded forward like card table chairs. We were the only foreigners on the flight and exept for the attendent, the only females. They mostly looked like businessmen. We took off and everything rattled and creaked. I refused to sit back because the seat didn't look very clean. We made a brief pitstop at a very small airport where most people got off except for us. We knew they wanted us to get off but we were afraid that if we did we would not be able to get back on the right plane. The attendent brought out her book of English phrases but we were not able to communicate. She finally just gave up and let us stay on. She was really very sweet. Then about 4 ladies got on and began throwing away trash and putting the seat backs down again. When they were done the attendent came in with what smelled something like Lysol and sprayed everything down. The plane reboarded and we were on our way again. It was then that I decided that I could probably fly in just about anything, particularly if it was in the USA!

[Eeyore2U]

We just flew back from MCO via Cincinatti to Manchester, NH on 10/6. We were on a Comair Flight, a 50 seater. It was the best flight of our four on this trip. They really aren't that bad.

[Redmic]

Thanks to all of you for taking the time to respond. I feel a lot better. Of course, my flight leaves at 5:30 am, which means a 3:30 check-in, but I do feel better about the plane! Guess I'll go with it and take a nap at the Poly!