AA to add up to 60 CRJ-200s
#61
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While I understand the hate for the aircraft, the announcement says they are adding, not replacing.
So this means either more frequencies, or new service to certain smaller airports.
If I assume it is true there will be no replacements, how is this bad?
So this means either more frequencies, or new service to certain smaller airports.
If I assume it is true there will be no replacements, how is this bad?
#63
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That was my reading of this. All this means is that I can now fly to a place like Oshkosh WI on AA tickets, instead of UA tickets. And people in Oshkosh WI will do their flying through ORD on AA instead of UA. ((I have no idea about Oshkosh WI, just thinking of random 1 -airline- service, 2-3 flights a day, types of airports these planes typically serve).
#64
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For all those envisioning some sort of grand expansion of small/midsize city flying from ORD on these ZW CR2s, I wouldn't get my hopes up. AA is restructuring its regional operation, and it seems to me that ZW at ORD will eventually be a 1:1 replacement for Envoy ERJ-145s. The first batch of 15 145s have already been announced for transfer to PDT, and I would expect to see more of that trend, as ENY is going to "focus on" larger-gauge RJs (E70/E75). Piedmont does not have an ORD base and I doubt AA will bring one in at the same time that ZW becomes an AE carrier.
So, IMO it's fair to expect that most ORD markets with ERJ flying today will simply see one 50-seater replaced by another.
My guess is nearly all of the 1300 pilots on their "list" have moved on to other operators since the UAX contract was pulled in 2020, and basically anyone with an ATP can get a job offer these days. The dozen or so pilots left for "aha" won't move the needle.
United also owned all of the 145s and placed them with CommutAir following the end of XJT flying, plus about 40 are headed to JSX. So, there's really no stockpile of 145s to draw on.
I would imagine ExpressJet was in the running for this RFP but as (basically) a non-operational airline, there was doubt it could spool up an operation next winter on the scale ZW could promise after the UAL CPA expires.
So, IMO it's fair to expect that most ORD markets with ERJ flying today will simply see one 50-seater replaced by another.
United also owned all of the 145s and placed them with CommutAir following the end of XJT flying, plus about 40 are headed to JSX. So, there's really no stockpile of 145s to draw on.
I would imagine ExpressJet was in the running for this RFP but as (basically) a non-operational airline, there was doubt it could spool up an operation next winter on the scale ZW could promise after the UAL CPA expires.
Last edited by EWR764; Aug 23, 2022 at 11:01 am
#65
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#66
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For those of us based in places with the E145 has been known to show up, I would rather fly the E145 than the CR200 any day.
#67
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I don't like CRJs either, but if these aircraft allow AA to resume service to/from ORD and my small city, I will happily take it.
#68
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#69
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I don't think it is a stretch to imagine that some routes currently served by an E145 will switch to a CR2, and vice versa. So even if this announcement means a full slate of new routes (skeptical) the planes could certainly be swapped around for operational reasons.
#70
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Sure. And that means that someone will be getting a E145 somewhere else. Not bad for them, right?
#71
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#72
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Right but my point was that if you currently fly a certain route on an E145, this deal means you may at some point be flying that same route on a CR2. So not as good for that person.
#73
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#74
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But that would mean they are adding Air Wisconsin to eventually replace another operator. As announced, that is not happening.
We'll see...
#75
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AE currently only has about 100 ERJ 145s spread across the entire network between Envoy and Piedmont (not sure how many of these are currently active). I would guess less than 40 are ORD based. I expect that ALL 50 seat flying at ORD will become ZW CRJ-200's, and the remaining ERJ's will be distributed through PHL, CLT, and DFW.