Originally Posted by
scotchmeup
I cant speak to operating and purchase costs; however i fly almost weekly on routes served by CRA and ER-75 primarily in J. For me the comparison is not even close; the Embraer wins hands down. I really like the 1x2 J product having the solo seat works great for me.
Solo seat is nearly the same on the CRA. Main difference in J is that the E90 now had an oven hence hot meals.
Real difference is arguably in Y.
My take on this: CRA likely cheaper and with better economics. However, when AC bought the E75/E90, they were looking at using them on mainline routes, replacing mainly the 319.
The much more cramped CRA (or CRJ900, I don't think there was a CRJ1000 then?) would not do with customers used to fly these routes on a 319/3120. While the E90 doews very well from a passenger comfort standpoint.
Funny thing is, both use essentially the same relatively low bypass, inefficient GE engine of an old design. Which may end up being the death spell for the EMB. In addition to the field getting crowded (although admittedly with some size increase), with the MRJ, the Sukhoi Superjet and the C-Series (smallest C-series model is only about 25-30% bigger, and airlines have been quietly increasing the "size" of regional jets). The Comac of course is more like the A320/321.
Both the MRJ and the C-series are build around the very promising Pratt geared fan engine. At smaller sizes the MRJ looks very good. The C-series is more like an MD80 replacement. Roughly same cabin configuration.