RJ-85 Regional Jet
 

Wife and I are flying to Cincinnati tonight and one segment, MEM-CVG, is on NW's partner Mesaba's RJ-85 jet. This puppy has a first class cabin and I've never flown on it. Will post a review of it here or in Trip Reports if anyone's interested.

Quote from Mesaba's web site:

"The RJ85 offers cabin comfort that is superior to any other regional jet. This jet offers a spacious interior unmatched in the regional market, overhead bins that offer truly ample storage, wide seats and a convenient handrail built into the overhead bin. The RJ85 joined the fleet in April 1997 and began service in June. Mesaba operates 15 RJ85s that currently serve short haul regional markets. However, the RJ85 has several unique performance characteristics that will allow Mesaba and Northwest to take advantage of many new-market opportunities. The high-performance characteristics of the RJ85 allow this aircraft to operate into airports that have unusually steep approaches (up to 6%), as well as airports that are located at higher altitudes. Northwest Airlines has been very aggressive in marketing to skiers who fly to ski-resort destinations. The addition of the RJ85 to the Mesaba fleet has allowed Northwest to expand its presence to several new resort markets, as well as offer additional flights to existing destinations. "

Harry: A first class cabin on a RJ??? Please post a report on this on. Is Mesaba the only regional partner to employ a first class section on a RJ??? I have not heard of any others doing this. Perhaps this is a result of the "larger" RJ's coming on line now as oppossed to the 50-seaters. Cheers, hope all is well. -Geo

Roger that, geo1004, I'll post this weekend on it, maybe sooner if I get a chance to use my sister-in-law's machine.

Anyway, according to their web site, they are "the first and only regional airline in the United States to offer a first class cabin. " So I guess, yes, they are the only ones doing this. Should be interesting.

http://www.mesaba.com/avro1.htm

Well, here's the skinny on the RJ-85.

A very nice, comfortable, regional jet. The FC cabin has 4 rows, 2-2 config. That's more FC seats than on a 727 or 737. Very comfortable seats, too. They are a little firm, but quite wide enough. They have adjustable foot rests and adjustable lumbar and neck support!

The overheads are not huge, but are large enough for carry-on luggage, and have grab rails so there is no excuse for jerks using your seat for leverage when sitting down or getting up.

The jet is very modern and had a nice clean interior.

I don't think it flies as fast as a Canadair RJ, but with this level of comfort, who cares?

Regional airlines, GET SOME OF THESE puppies!!

-Harry

I flew one of these babies the first week they were in operation. Still had that new car (I mean plane) smell. You're right, very comfy. Very unusual in a lot of ways as well.

Sitting in row 2, I noticed I was just about even with the intake of the inboard Port side engine. The planes shape also caused some problems with the Jetway at Green Bay, I presume because the wings were so far forward, or perhaps because they were high.

And man, did it go like snot. Left the tarmac in no time, and seemed to go straight up. On landing in MSP, it seemed the pilot just drove the plane on to the runway, and stopped. Instead of running out the length of the runway, then turning around and taxing back, we simply made a hard turn and we were at the jetway. Probably saved 5 minutes right there.

Gave up on NW shortly thereafter, so I haven't ridden one since. (It was a Mesaba flight, code shared with NW.)

Regards,

Ken Hamer


[This message has been edited by KenHamer (edited 06-10-1999).]

Perhaps my friends at Comair (Delta wanna be) will read this and consider upgrading! (Pun intended!)

grins http://talk.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I was on a Comair flight last December with about five people aboard, so I was able to talk to the flight attendant a bit.

One of the things we discussed were the Regional Jets, and it turns out that Comair is probably going to have to buy more regional jets of a different kind simply because the CRJ can not land and/or take off at some airports served by Comair! Apparently the CRJ needs quite a bit of runway. The one airport she mentioned in particular was Key West, though she implied there were others.

I guess they are considering the Jungle Jet, but I definitely like the sound of this one with FC, and it sounds like it isn't the runway hog the CRJ is.

Hi, all. Back home and on line again. Like KemHamer, I, too, noticed that the plane nosed down to descend. It didn't just cut power and lose altitude. And the landing was like he described as well. I didn't notic e them using any thrust reversers...they may not have them, and they certainly didn't need any.