Adam Smith

Over the past few days, all of the CRAs have been re-registered as CR9s with Transport Canada.

EF seat maps more than a couple weeks out now consistently match AC's CR9 seatmap, although 27AC seems to be consistently blocked. Closer in, 27C is still missing.

I don't know if that means that they haven't finished re-configuring all of the planes yet or that it will just take some time to flush its way through the system.

SKYEG

Anyone know if the two exit rows are any good on the reconfigured or if the aisle seats directly behind them are the best for Y that isn't bulkhead like the old CRA705? I do remember the aisle seats right behind exit on the CRA were spacious.

I haven't flown on any CRA in a while in and it was almost always in J but I'm in Y tomorrow on the reconfigured and have options of exit row,(19/20) aisle right behind exit 21C/D. All the Y+ seats are gone except window bulkhead F which I won't take.

Not really worth burning e ups for a Medicore meal on a 1.5 hours flight...

canadiancow

I noticed (a while ago, though I forgot to post) that SFO<->YVR is going to start getting a fair bit of CR9 service.

djkyyc

Adam Smith

Ouch. Hasn't that been 320 family or E90 in the past?

canadiancow

I haven't seen an E90 in years, but yes. 319, 320, 321.

There are a few YYZ-SFO-YVR turns too, so I wonder how this will impact the YYZ/YUL schedule.

Adam Smith

Crappy. The CR9 is fine as a replacement for a DH4 on relatively short routes. But on longer routes like that, blech.

SKYEG

Are exit rows any good? 19/20? I dont recline but do they actually have good leg room?

I have 3 other people flying out on this bird out at different times and they all have the exit row available, trying to figure this out. +_ +

yyzgigi

If the reconfig is done, hopefully they'll be ready to cater for hot food in J. If they're adding YVR-SFO hot food should be a minimum expectation.

djkyyc

Adam Smith

Why? YYC-IAH is a far longer route and has never had hot food.

I don't know whether the ovens are installed or ready, but I don't think adding some YVR-SFO flights to the CR9 roster has anything to do with that.

YXUFlyboy

Hopefully they will replace YYC-IAH with CS300s when those come out.

SKYEG

I'll do a walkthrough of the re config'd CRA tomorrow and try to take some pics, look at curvature in the back, exit rows etc and report back... Might get scared and just upgrade anyways but I'll stay focused LOL

Adam Smith

That would be a huge upgauge. If AC converts some orders to CS1s, that would be a lot more likely.

YXEGeordie

Hi Folks

Took three flights in J on 3 different CRA's in the last week. All three with very different interior configs.

First one was C-GJVZ, a CR9. Light grey colour scheme. The overhead bins were miniscule. The ones above the single seats in J were ridiculous. All they could hold was a J class pillow, I couldn't even fold a sweater and fit it in. There also didn't seem as much room between the seats. I was seated in 3A.

Second flight was on a CRA C-FTJZ. A much nicer aircraft. Dark grey seats. More room between the seats, bigger over head bins. Very nice indeed. Seated in 3D.

Third flight back to a CR9 C-GJZV. Light grey colour scheme. Small overheads and less room between the seats. Seated in 3D.

Love the refreshed CRA, not so much the CR9's.

Finally, had a Q400 on my last leg. YVR-YXE. That's an awful long way in a Dash 8. But spare a thought for the inbound YXE-YVR passengers. Due to strong headwinds they were in the air for 3 hours and 16 minutes. Is there a longer Q400 flight than that?

YXEG

PS No hot food on any of the flights. Avoid the beef plate at all costs. The chicken plate was decent. Shout out again to the new AC sommelier, all 4 wines on board were excellent. Spanish Albarino and a very tasty Muscadet Sur Lie for the whites. A very decent California blend (with 5 years bottle age) and a nice Chianti for the reds. Bravo to the gal from Soif.