Originally Posted by
nave888
I have always wondered why AC/Jazz went with both the E75 and CRA jets for their fleets, considering they are so similar? I mean, they are within 2 seats of each other, with the following major differences:
CRA
-operated by Jazz
-Longer range
-No ovens
-Smaller overheads
-Cramped space in the back of the plane (near the lav, good luck getting by if anyone is waiting!)
In terms of the range/ovens, I don't understand the appeal- it's not as though AC will put a CRA on a flight to it's full 2200 mile range anyways! The longest CRA flight I know of is YYC-IAH, which is the only one I can think of that needs more than the E75's range. The CRAs primarily fly legs such as YYZ-DFW, YVR-YYC, and YYZ-LGA/ORD, all of which would be fine with the E75.
E75
-Shorter Range
-Interior is similar to mainline, takes away from the "Regional jet" look/feel
-Bigger bins
Does anyone know why they operate both? Is it simply that AC wanted one and Jazz wanted the other? Did they plan to launch other longer/thin routes that required the CRA's range (Even if they did, I can't see a 4 hour+ CRA flight sounding popular to PAX)? I appreciate everyone's ideas!
IIRC the reason for the various planes has to do with the collective agreement with ACPA. Something about any planes with more than 75 seats have to be flown by mainline pilots. Most airlines assign E75's to their regional fleets.
I believe the CRA is a specially configured CRJ-900, reconfigured to have 75 seats; the maximum number of seats "express" is allowed to operate. AC can operate aircraft with fewer than 75 seats if they so choose, and do so with the E75's (E75's interior isn't "similar" to mainline, it is mainline).
The E75 is likely the smallest plane that AC can fly in a cost effective manner with its higher labour costs. The CRA is the largest that can be flown by Express. Depending on the route, AC can assign the flying to either group. Having a mixed fleet for both groups probably wouldn't make sense. I assume that CRA pilots can also fly CRJ 100/200 and that the E75 pilots can also fly E90's.