The reason B717 didn't do that well despite the economics it provides has got to do with Boeing's attitude towards MDD. Their purchase was focused on the defense contracts instead of the civilian side of the product line. Boeing never marketed B717 as it should have been marketed. They could easly offer the B717-300 that a lot DC9/Md80 operators were looking for. Yet, they decided to market the "in house" airliners (737-600/700).

One of the reasons B717-200 didn't do that well was due to the limited range (even with IGW version). A -300 model was long overdue and it was planned by MDD when this aircraft was still in their hands.

Boeing never followed up on that, except putting the concept on their website.

Believe it or not EMB-190/195 can almost fly coast to coast. Yes, it's a major progress compared to RJs that we have been stuffed into, but I would like to see what will be the reaction of people when they fly BUF-LAX on an Embraer.