Many passengers might prefer not to fly regional jets. But they have little choice

Regional jets are despised by many passengers. They’re uncomfortable and cramped, with little space for both carry-on luggage and people. The good news is their use is on the decline, but the bad news is, for many routes, there’s no choice but to fly them.

Regional jets are despised by many passengers. They’re uncomfortable and cramped, with little space for both carry-on luggage and people. Although their use is on the decline, for many routes, there’s little choice but to fly them. The smaller jets have been getting attention due to two high-profile crashes in recent weeks – the Delta Air Lines-branded flight that flipped over and burst into flames Monday upon landing in Toronto, and the fatal collision of a US Army helicopter with an American Airlines-branded regional jet on approach at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport last month. Investigations into the causes of the two crashes are just beginning, so it’s too soon to say what was responsible. The crew in the Delta flight in Toronto got all 76 passengers out of the upside-down plane quickly and safely after the crash amid flames. Even before the crashes, smaller jets were not popular with passengers and airlines already know it. When United Airlines placed a large order of full-sized narrow-body jets from Boeing and Airbus in June 2021, United CEO Scott Kirby said a major reason for the purchase was to try to greatly reduce the use of regional jets, which he said “customers dislike.” But that doesn’t mean they’re inherently more dangerous than any other commercial jet. “The seats have less leg room, and there’s less recline. No question about that, it’s not as comfortable an environment,” airline consultant Mike Boyd told CNN on Tuesday. “But they’re going to be as safe as any larger airplane. And while some passengers might not like them, many people don’t notice. They get on them and go.”