Any experiences with Canadair?

[jimmiej]

I'm finding this on the Delta website. Codeshare Partner? Kind of a small plane. http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/aircraft_types_layout/crj-700/index.jsp

Any experience with this? Great non-stop flight times, but not sure about these planes.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Canadair is not an airline, it's a type of aircraft.

The flights are most likely operated by one of the "Delta Connection" carriers (Atlantic Southeast Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, Comair, Freedom Airlines, Shuttle America, SkyWest). These small carriers usually operate regional routes in a partnership agreement with the big airline. For example, you can purchase your tickets from Delta, check in at a Delta ticket counter, and even have a Delta flight number, but the flight will actually be operated by (example) ComAir, in a plane that is owned or leased by ComAir, with crew members that fly for ComAir, instead of Delta.

The CRJ jets are very small, and, in my experience, not very comfortable for long flights. (About 2 hours is probably the longest I'd want to be on one of those planes, and even that's pushing it a bit). They are fairly reliable, just not very comfortable.

 

[jimmiej]

Thanks. Anyone else?

 

[SB in KY]

They are usually the 50 passenger jets used by most of the feeder/commuter airlines. Canadair also makes a regional jet that has approx 80 seats or so. Both are mainstays of the commuter air markets....all are regukated by the same standards, maintenance rules etc as larger carriers.

About 40+% of Delta flights are now operated by the feeders... you would check in at Delta, most of the planes say Delta on the side, etc. Personally I don't mind flying them...I find them about as comfortable as any over filled plane today. They are perfectly safe.

The main complaints are....at MCO they usually use remote gates....so you have a longer hike at the terminal, then you walk or are bused across the tarmac and walk up the plane steps (they do not work well for the mobility impaired passenger)...the remote gates are on the lower level and usually very crowded at MCO (think Greyhound bus station)

Carry on storage is slightly smaller than 737's etc...so you can't take huge suitcases that some people seem to think ought to be carryons (not an issue for me....I hate lugging stuff on the plane with me)

And sometimes you may feel more air turbulence in the smaller planes....although how much more is debatable.

Personally I would MUCH rather fly a smaller plane non-stop to MCO than to have to change planes in Atlanta (which Delta considers to be the center of the universe)...but when we fly with my 84 y/o mother I will not book the small planes....she just cannot make it up and down the steep steps anymore.

 

[kneemeister]

Here is a photo of a Canadair CRJ

As the new Embraer E-170-190's come on line a lot of "regional" flights are getting the "big" airplane feel. These new planes actually from the outside look like a shrunken 737 with full size interiors and overheads you can actually put your rollabords into. Another good point is that these new jets are even able to use the airbridges at your local airport.

The maker of the Canadair CRJ also has plans for there new C series jets, which will be the same size as a DC-9/MD-80.

 

[NCRedding]

I've flown Delta Comair/Connection flights in and out of MCO at least 10 times in the last 5 years. The gate is Gate 60, with entrances a-g. It is tucked up under the monorail going to the main terminal. As such, it is much closer to the monorail than most of the main gates at MCO. It is downstairs but there are elevators and an escalator to get to and from the gates. The gate area can be crowded, but I've never not found a seat. I have never had to be bussed to the tarmac--it is a short walk down the main hallway from the waiting area and out onto the tarmac, but certainly never more than about 100 feet or so.

I enjoy flying on the smaller jets--much quicker to load, quicker food service--actually get a can of soda, and a pack of crackers if you wish. I like that the luggage almost always beats me to the luggage carosel.