A New Life for the CRJ200

United Airlines is breathing new life into its oldest regional aircraft. In March, the carrier announced it would rebrand its 20-year-old Bombardier CRJ200 jets—operated by regional partner SkyWest Airlines—as the new "CRJ450." Historically, the 50-seat CRJ200 has been unpopular with travelers due to its all-economy configuration, lack of WiFi, and inability to accommodate standard roller bags in overhead bins.

Premium Features and Cabin Upgrades

The revamped CRJ450 is designed to offer a premium experience, aligning with United's "Elevated" cabin strategy. These upgrades are also being integrated into the airline's future fleet of Boeing 787s, Airbus A321XLRs, and A321neo "Coastliners."

First Class and Economy Enhancements

  • First Class: The cabin will feature seven seats designed to mimic a private jet experience, complete with wide recliners, large armrests, and headrests. To create a more spacious atmosphere, overhead bins will be removed in favor of dedicated closets for rollaboard luggage.
  • Economy Class: The remaining 34 seats will include 18 standard spots and 16 extra-legroom seats. United has redesigned the overhead bins to accommodate larger carry-on bags, a rarity for regional aircraft of this size.
  • Connectivity: Passengers across the aircraft will have access to free Starlink WiFi, provided they are MileagePlus members.

Strategic Shift in Regional Travel

United is tripling down on premium demand, which saw revenue grow by 11% in 2025. While the CRJ450 lacks the snack bar found on the larger CRJ550, it represents a strategic move to capture revenue on short-haul flights between smaller markets and hubs like Denver and Chicago.

By utilizing the CRJ200 airframes, which SkyWest often owns outright with little debt, United can operate these routes more cost-effectively. The airline expects to have 50 CRJ450s and nearly 120 CRJ550s in service by 2028. This approach contrasts with competitors like American Airlines and Delta, which have largely retired their CRJ200 fleets in favor of larger regional jets with dual-class seating.