Lack of ua mainline flights; Does united have more regional jets than other carriers?
Apr 22, 2013, 4:44 pm
#1
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Lack of ua mainline flights; Does united have more regional jets than other carriers?
So I travel to cmh from time to time. I had only seen regional jets on united vs mainline on other carriers and regional jets. Does united have more regional jets than other carriers? It just seems like there are so few mainline flights on united compared to other airlines.
I did a detailed searched and united only flys one mainline flight to cmh each day.
I did a detailed searched and united only flys one mainline flight to cmh each day.
Apr 22, 2013, 4:57 pm
#2
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It does seem like UA is becoming RJ Air
RJs are a necessary evil of course, but DL/AA have "better" aircraft and put more emphasis on the soft product (in F)
RJs are a necessary evil of course, but DL/AA have "better" aircraft and put more emphasis on the soft product (in F)
Apr 23, 2013, 2:20 am
#3
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At CLE approaching 90 per cent non mainline. Most of the hub to hub flights ORD,DEN,IAD RJ now they are putting RJ's to IAH and EWR which were always mainline. The IAH thing is really puzzeling, every time I have flown to IAH CO days the flights have always been very full.
Apr 23, 2013, 2:34 am
#4
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While I agree it seems like there are express jets running all day on every domestic flight, the truth is that there are roughly:
55 x Airbus A319
97 x Airbus A320
5 OR 6 x 737-500
36 x 737-700
130 x 737-800
43 x 737-900
134 x 757-200
21 x 757-300
5 x 767-200
35 x 767-300
16 x 767-400
55 x 777-200
23 x 747-400
and other than a handful of grounded 787 aircraft, these planes are flying pretty much round the clock to various destinations. It can't all be express jets
55 x Airbus A319
97 x Airbus A320
5 OR 6 x 737-500
36 x 737-700
130 x 737-800
43 x 737-900
134 x 757-200
21 x 757-300
5 x 767-200
35 x 767-300
16 x 767-400
55 x 777-200
23 x 747-400
and other than a handful of grounded 787 aircraft, these planes are flying pretty much round the clock to various destinations. It can't all be express jets
Apr 23, 2013, 5:43 am
#5
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MSP has the same issue. We are down to 5 mainline flights out of 35 dailies (4x ORD and 1x SFO) and 1000 mi + flights to EWR and IAH and mostly E145's. It so frustrating that I have been flying US more often since they are all mainline or Embraer 175 from here (plus they are cheaper most of the time).
Apr 23, 2013, 5:57 am
#7
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They're a lot more tolerable with 9 seat F cabins, E+ (or equivalent), wifi, full meals in F, etc.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:13 am
#9
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346 mainline, 285 express.
119 of those Express being the dreaded "Canada's revenge" CR2/CL65.
The best? WN.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:17 am
#10
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the CR2's are pretty awful. in my book it's pretty tied with the E145. i think the CR2 might be more uncomfortable, but personally on the routes i fly i just happen to encounter the E145 far more often so i hate it more...
Apr 23, 2013, 6:21 am
#11
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"Worst?" - The problem is that many stations can't justify mainline service or, if they could, it would be at 1/4-1/3 of the frequency. The 2007-09 time period demonstrated the folly of flying empty aircraft and then cutting fares to fill seats.
It would be great if CMH and other stations could justify larger and more frequent aircraft, but they can't. This is about the local economy, not about some abstract decision by UA or DL (and just wait to see the proportion after the US acquisition of AA is complete).
The fact is that people who travel for work would prefer four flights/day on smaller aircraft rather than a single mainline aircraft at sometime when it can be sent out and back for a quick run.
It would be great if CMH and other stations could justify larger and more frequent aircraft, but they can't. This is about the local economy, not about some abstract decision by UA or DL (and just wait to see the proportion after the US acquisition of AA is complete).
The fact is that people who travel for work would prefer four flights/day on smaller aircraft rather than a single mainline aircraft at sometime when it can be sent out and back for a quick run.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:49 am
#12
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A good example is DSM. If you live in Des Moines, you can take a 6:03am OB to EWR and 7:30pm return. However, if you're originating in EWR, you end up taking a connection & working a short day or you pay for a hotel. And those are the only non-stops.
Apr 23, 2013, 6:52 am
#13
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hahaha i've never heard the CR's referred to it like that... but it seems pretty apt.
the CR2's are pretty awful. in my book it's pretty tied with the E145. i think the CR2 might be more uncomfortable, but personally on the routes i fly i just happen to encounter the E145 far more often so i hate it more...
the CR2's are pretty awful. in my book it's pretty tied with the E145. i think the CR2 might be more uncomfortable, but personally on the routes i fly i just happen to encounter the E145 far more often so i hate it more...
Apr 23, 2013, 7:11 am
#14
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Apples and oranges, though.
DL's RJs are more likely to have First.
And on top of that, the DL RJ experience is superior. When they have First, there are more First (9-12 on DL vs. 6 on UA). They use glassware, tray linenes, meals served on proper plates with utensils, etc. There's a pillow and blanket on each seat. And sometimes there's WiFi.
UA has plastic cups and a snack box if you're lucky. Forget wifi, pillows, tray linens, etc. All of that with up to half the seats as DL. And that's IF UA has F on that RJ.
Apr 23, 2013, 7:19 am
#15
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There's a financial reason UA and DL have so many regional planes, usually operated by outsourced carriers, and AA will follow suit. The best we can hope for on any of the majors when it comes to RJs is that have First/E+ and aren't CR2s.