Had my first ride on an Embraer 170 last night on a United Express flight back from DFW (regional carrier Chatauqua Airlines). I don't have any pictures of it yet, but the product web site is below which has some.
(The 175 variant seems to be a slightly more passenger version, 100 nm shorter range)
This is an extended range regional jet, able to go 2,100 nautical miles on a flight. These regional jets in their extended range versions are showing up more and more with longer flights, as I've been on this one and also an extended range Canadaire to DFW.
Unlike the Embraer 135/145 I've been on which has a rear engine configuration, the 170 has a wing engine configuration. The plane seemed very new, the seats were very comfortable with good legroom (although toward the end of the flight I was itching to stretch my legs), and good overhead storage if you get on early enough to grab it. There is only overhead storage on the right side of the aircraft facing forward.
A 2 x 2 seat configuration with a small first class section up in front. The seats are pretty spacious, although the padding makes it hard to stay seated more than an hour. Quiet, comfortable for the most part.
The overhead bins are large enough to handle a roll-aboard piece of luggage, although there aren’t enough of them if a lot of the passengers bring them on. Be prepared to have to do a bit of juggling and negotiating with dorks placing their small bags up top on a full flight.
The space under the seat in front accommodates fairly large bags and still leaves space for your feet. Most amazing, a regional jet of this configuration allowing me to stand up without banging my head.
No entertainment, but the seat back pocket is roomier than most small planes.
Plane is very quiet in the cabin, most likely from the wing configuration.
Cockpit is modern glass cockpit.
Product Web Site
(Updated 8/28/09 after United Express flight to Indianapolis)
Showing posts with label Equipment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Equipment. Show all posts
Friday, February 18, 2005
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Equipment: Boeing 717
The Boeing 717 was originally created by McDonnell-Douglas as the MD-95 in 1995. In 1997 MD merged with Boeing, and the plane was renamed the Boeing 717 (more specifically, the Boeing 717-200).
The plane is a twin engine configuration with both engines at the rear of the aircraft on the fuselage. The plane is normally configured for 100 passengers, and was positioned in the market for short-haul/regional flights. The planes were mostly purchased by AirTran Airways, and their recent decision to purchase 100 Boeing 737's probably sealed the 717 line's fate. My observation has been that the Canadaire Regional Jets are everywhere for smaller regional flights (even some longer ones -- United runs a IAD-DFW non-stop on them which is a 1700 mile flight), and the 737's are the workhorse for the low-cost domestic flights.
As a side note, AirTran still promotes the 717 as part of their image.
I've been on a few of these, always AirTran, and they always seem nice because they're usually pretty new. The rear engines are very quiet -- usually when the engines are on the fuselage it seems to transmit noise into the cabin easier. The cockpit is also a modern "glass" cockit with modern avionics.
In January of 2005 Boeing announced that it was halting production of this aircraft. Boeing maintains that this plane continues to offer tremendous value to their customers, but that the market demand for the plane doesn't justify keeping production going.
Product Site: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/717/flash.html
The plane is a twin engine configuration with both engines at the rear of the aircraft on the fuselage. The plane is normally configured for 100 passengers, and was positioned in the market for short-haul/regional flights. The planes were mostly purchased by AirTran Airways, and their recent decision to purchase 100 Boeing 737's probably sealed the 717 line's fate. My observation has been that the Canadaire Regional Jets are everywhere for smaller regional flights (even some longer ones -- United runs a IAD-DFW non-stop on them which is a 1700 mile flight), and the 737's are the workhorse for the low-cost domestic flights.
As a side note, AirTran still promotes the 717 as part of their image.
I've been on a few of these, always AirTran, and they always seem nice because they're usually pretty new. The rear engines are very quiet -- usually when the engines are on the fuselage it seems to transmit noise into the cabin easier. The cockpit is also a modern "glass" cockit with modern avionics.In January of 2005 Boeing announced that it was halting production of this aircraft. Boeing maintains that this plane continues to offer tremendous value to their customers, but that the market demand for the plane doesn't justify keeping production going.
Product Site: http://www.boeing.com/commercial/717/flash.html
Friday, August 18, 2000
Equipment: ATR 42
(this post moved to http://lschofield.net/travel/2015/07/25/equipment-atr-42/)
On a flight from Naples to Miami I was on an ATR 42. This is the biggest propeller plane I have ever been on! It held more than 40 people, in a "2 seat - row - 2 seat" configuration. Good headroom, overhead bins, storage under the seat in front.
The flight went over the Everglades at 11,000 feet on a sunny day, and you really got a good view of the swamp below.
This plane was surprizingly quiet for a propeller plane. Also, the storage was in the front behind the pilots, with entry in the rear. Most planes seem to have storage in the back or underneath.
Location: Naples Airport, Naples, Florida
Camera: Kodak DC240
On a flight from Naples to Miami I was on an ATR 42. This is the biggest propeller plane I have ever been on! It held more than 40 people, in a "2 seat - row - 2 seat" configuration. Good headroom, overhead bins, storage under the seat in front.
The flight went over the Everglades at 11,000 feet on a sunny day, and you really got a good view of the swamp below.
This plane was surprizingly quiet for a propeller plane. Also, the storage was in the front behind the pilots, with entry in the rear. Most planes seem to have storage in the back or underneath.
Location: Naples Airport, Naples, Florida
Camera: Kodak DC240
Saturday, July 22, 2000
Equipment: Saab 340F
(This article moved to Equipment: Saab 340F )
The Saab 340F is one of the smallest commercial planes I have flown on (but not the smallest). It has three seats across, one on the right of the isle when facing the back of the plane, and two on the left. While it is small, there is some small overhead space, and they can run drink services (if the flight is long enough) and there is a flight attendent.
This is a picture of a Saab from a Northwest flight I took to Champaign, Illinois. You can see that the plane is a twin turboprop. This helps enhance the vibration and noise inside the aircraft :-). Like most commuter flights, you walk out to the plane and up the fold out steps.
Watch your head! Low clearance!
Product Web Site
The Saab 340F is one of the smallest commercial planes I have flown on (but not the smallest). It has three seats across, one on the right of the isle when facing the back of the plane, and two on the left. While it is small, there is some small overhead space, and they can run drink services (if the flight is long enough) and there is a flight attendent.
This is a picture of a Saab from a Northwest flight I took to Champaign, Illinois. You can see that the plane is a twin turboprop. This helps enhance the vibration and noise inside the aircraft :-). Like most commuter flights, you walk out to the plane and up the fold out steps.
Watch your head! Low clearance!
Product Web Site
Sunday, June 18, 2000
Equipment: CRJ200
(Content moved to new site)
(Note that this article covers the whole CRJ line. There are different versions of this equipment, differing mostly in the length/number of passengers).
Two snapshots of Canadair Regional Jet "60" version (interior and exterior), Peoria, IL June 18, 2000. United Express colors. The manufacturer calls them the Bombardier CRJ200.
The CRJ jets are "regional", small jets. The version in the picture holds about 50 passengers. While a small plane, and not much headroom when you stand up (and watch your head in and out of the door), these are great planes to take a flight on. They're smooth, relatively quiet, and usually have good legroom and comfortable seats. If the flight is long enough they will have cabin service for drinks. One thing to watch out for is that they don't have deep overhead storage bins, so you will probably have to use the space under the seat in front of you for a briefcase or laptop bag.
I've been on these a bunch, usually out of IAD as United Express. While most people moan when they know they are going on a small plane, I look forward to these because I think they're comfortable and you know the flight is probably less than 2 hours.
The picture above was taken as I was walking away from the plane, and gives a good perspective on the overall size of the plane. The two engines are at the rear of the plane below the tail, and not on the wing like many planes. The shot below shows the inside of the plane. These planes are generally newer than others, and the interior generally shows this with somewhat modern passenger layout and overhead ventilation and lights and usually being in pretty good condition.
Checked baggage is placed in a compartment in the rear of the craft. I like looking in the cockpit of these planes, as they have a very modern "glass" avionics package. The dashboard contains about 4 main color displays that the pilot can change to different readings and instruments depending on their need at the moment. There is usually a little metal label attached to the inside left of the cabin door with the serial number that shows the date of manufacture. Usually they are only 3 or 4 years old.
The Canadaire Regional Jet is actually 4 different models, the CRJ100, the CRJ200, the CRJ700, and the CRJ900. I've never been on the 100 or the 900. All these models also come in one or two "extended range" versions allowing them to perform on routes of 3 hours or so duration (and stretching the meaning of "regional jet"). The 200 holds 50 passengers and has one bathroom. The 700 holds about 70 passengers with 2 bathrooms and also sometimes is configured with a first/business class cabin.
I've seen this equipment sometimes shows up on my intineraries as a "CRJ 60". I also see "CRJ 65" or a "CRJ 95", and sometimes the emergency card on the plane is marked CL-65. I'm not sure what the designation means, but it probably relates to combinations of "normal" and "entended range" versions of this aircraft or the cabin configuration.
CL-65 at night.
Product Web Site
(Last Update: March 13, 2005)
(Note that this article covers the whole CRJ line. There are different versions of this equipment, differing mostly in the length/number of passengers).
Two snapshots of Canadair Regional Jet "60" version (interior and exterior), Peoria, IL June 18, 2000. United Express colors. The manufacturer calls them the Bombardier CRJ200.
The CRJ jets are "regional", small jets. The version in the picture holds about 50 passengers. While a small plane, and not much headroom when you stand up (and watch your head in and out of the door), these are great planes to take a flight on. They're smooth, relatively quiet, and usually have good legroom and comfortable seats. If the flight is long enough they will have cabin service for drinks. One thing to watch out for is that they don't have deep overhead storage bins, so you will probably have to use the space under the seat in front of you for a briefcase or laptop bag.
I've been on these a bunch, usually out of IAD as United Express. While most people moan when they know they are going on a small plane, I look forward to these because I think they're comfortable and you know the flight is probably less than 2 hours.
The picture above was taken as I was walking away from the plane, and gives a good perspective on the overall size of the plane. The two engines are at the rear of the plane below the tail, and not on the wing like many planes. The shot below shows the inside of the plane. These planes are generally newer than others, and the interior generally shows this with somewhat modern passenger layout and overhead ventilation and lights and usually being in pretty good condition.
Checked baggage is placed in a compartment in the rear of the craft. I like looking in the cockpit of these planes, as they have a very modern "glass" avionics package. The dashboard contains about 4 main color displays that the pilot can change to different readings and instruments depending on their need at the moment. There is usually a little metal label attached to the inside left of the cabin door with the serial number that shows the date of manufacture. Usually they are only 3 or 4 years old.
The Canadaire Regional Jet is actually 4 different models, the CRJ100, the CRJ200, the CRJ700, and the CRJ900. I've never been on the 100 or the 900. All these models also come in one or two "extended range" versions allowing them to perform on routes of 3 hours or so duration (and stretching the meaning of "regional jet"). The 200 holds 50 passengers and has one bathroom. The 700 holds about 70 passengers with 2 bathrooms and also sometimes is configured with a first/business class cabin.
I've seen this equipment sometimes shows up on my intineraries as a "CRJ 60". I also see "CRJ 65" or a "CRJ 95", and sometimes the emergency card on the plane is marked CL-65. I'm not sure what the designation means, but it probably relates to combinations of "normal" and "entended range" versions of this aircraft or the cabin configuration.
CL-65 at night.Product Web Site
(Last Update: March 13, 2005)
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