Originally Posted by
The Lev
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And yet plenty of airlines chose the EMB175 over the CRJ705 despite the latter's better operating economics and speed (albeit at a higher price charged by BBD). They bought the E-jet because it feels more like a "mainline" aircraft whereas the CRJ always felt like an RJ despite BBD's attempts to dress it up a bit.
If I recall the CRJ issue was more a question of cabin baggage so yes, that was a question of passenger preference. Also, I'll give you that point in the case of when UA ditched all their Q400s because 'passengers don't like turbo props' despite they had better economics, plus they were a perfect feeder for them given they could operate on 11/29 at EWR and increase flight capacity during peak times.
The 737/A320 family are basically interchangeable from a passenger perspective with the vast majority of people I speak to have no idea what model plane they flew on their last flight and will describe it as 3-3 seating. Opinions of FT are in the tiny minority of plane geeks and frequent flyers who are cognoscente of various FF programme. Basically 1%ers.
On this point, I am probably a 1% of the 1%ers as I love me a turbo prop. I wish I could buy a TATL flight YUL-YQX-GOH-KEF-FAE-WIC-LHR on a Dash (day flight of course)!
And in this case 1% has little to do with household income.