If you’ve spent any time at a United hub like Chicago O’Hare or Denver lately, you’ve definitely seen it. That long, skinny needle of a plane sitting at the far end of the terminal. The Canadair Regional Jet 700 United—or the CRJ-700, as most of us call it—is basically the backbone of regional travel in America. It's the plane that connects "small-town USA" to the rest of the world.
Honestly, it’s a polarizing bird.
Some people see it on their boarding pass and groan, thinking of tight aisles. Others, especially those of us who grew up on the cramped, windowless-vibe of the old CRJ-200, see the 700 as a massive upgrade. It’s got a weirdly loyal following among business travelers who appreciate its speed, even if they have to duck their heads to walk down the aisle.
The Weird Logic of the 50-Seat CRJ-700
Here is something most people don't realize about the Canadair Regional Jet 700 United fleet. Not all of them are the same.
Actually, far from it.
United does this thing where they take a plane designed for 70 people and only put 50 seats in it. They call it the CRJ-550, but technically, it’s a CRJ-700 airframe. Why? Because of pilot contracts. "Scope clauses" limit how many large regional jets a partner like GoJet or SkyWest can fly. By stripping out 20 seats, United created a "premium" regional jet that technically stays within the legal limits.
It’s sort of a travel hack.
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If you end up on the 50-seat version, you’re basically flying in a private jet masquerading as a regional hopper. There are massive luggage racks inside the cabin. You don’t have to "pink tag" your carry-on and wait on a freezing jet bridge for ten minutes while the ground crew tosses bags around. You just walk on, slide your suitcase into a closet, and sit down.
Breaking Down the United Configurations
- The Standard 70-Seater: This is the traditional layout. You’ve got 6 First Class seats, 16 Economy Plus, and 48 in the back. It’s tight.
- The "Premium" 50-Seater (CRJ-550): 10 First Class seats. 20 Economy Plus. 20 Economy. It’s essentially a flying lounge.
- The Comfort Factor: Standard seat pitch in Economy is about 30 inches. If you’re over six feet tall, your knees are going to meet the seatback in front of you.
What It’s Actually Like to Fly
Let’s be real for a second. The CRJ-700 is a "pencil jet."
It’s skinny. Because the engines are mounted on the tail rather than the wings, the back of the plane is surprisingly loud. If you’re sitting in row 20, you’re going to hear a constant hum that feels like it’s vibrating through your skull. But up front? It’s one of the quietest rides in the sky.
The windows are also a bit low.
You sort of have to slouch to look out of them, which is a classic Bombardier design quirk. But unlike the smaller CRJ-200, you can actually stand up straight in the aisle—unless you’re a pro basketball player.
The Luggage Struggle
This is the big one. If you are on a standard Canadair Regional Jet 700 United flight (not the 550 variant), your "standard" roll-aboard suitcase will not fit in the overhead bin.
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It just won't.
The bins are tiny. They are meant for backpacks, coats, and maybe a very slim briefcase. You will be asked to gate-check your bag. They’ll give you a green or pink tag, you leave it at the bottom of the stairs or at the end of the jet bridge, and you pick it up right there when you land.
Pro tip: Don’t leave your car keys or medication in that bag. I’ve seen way too many people realize their house keys are under the plane while we’re cruising at 30,000 feet.
Why United Still Uses Them
You might wonder why United doesn't just replace these with the Embraer E175, which everyone seems to love more. The E175 feels like a "real" plane. It has big bins and 2-2 seating across the board.
Economics, basically.
The CRJ-700 is a tank. It’s reliable, it’s relatively fuel-efficient for its size, and it can handle short runways that bigger jets can’t. United Express partners—companies like SkyWest and GoJet—have been flying these for decades. They know how to fix them. They have the parts.
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Also, the CRJ-700 is fast.
It has a cruise speed of about 530 mph. On a short hop from Newark to D.C., you won't notice it. But on a two-hour flight from Chicago to a smaller regional airport, that extra speed actually shaves off some time compared to a turboprop or a slower regional jet.
Surviving Your Next Flight
If you see Canadair Regional Jet 700 United on your itinerary, don't panic. It's a safe, sturdy plane. But you do need a strategy.
First, check the seat map. If it’s the 50-seat version (the CRJ-550), celebrate. You’re in for a great time. If it’s the 70-seater, try your hardest to snag a seat in First Class or Economy Plus. Those few extra inches of legroom make a massive difference when the person in front of you decides to recline their seat into your lap.
Second, dress in layers.
Regional jets have notoriously finicky climate control. It’s either an ice box or a sauna. There is rarely an in-between. Since the CRJ-700 is smaller, the cabin temperature changes fast.
Actionable Insights for Your Journey
- Valet Tag Everything: Assume your rolling bag is going in the cargo hold. Pack a small "personal item" with your electronics, snacks, and chargers to keep at your seat.
- The Right Side Advantage: In First Class, the seating is 1-2. If you’re traveling alone, grab the "A" seats. You get both an aisle and a window to yourself. No neighbor. No awkward armrest battles.
- Power Up: Most of United's CRJ-700s do not have seatback power or USB ports in Economy. Bring a portable battery. You’ll need it if you plan on using the "Bring Your Own Device" entertainment.
- Connection Times: If you have to wait for your valet bag on the jet bridge, it adds 5-10 minutes to your deplaning time. Factor that in if you have a tight 35-minute connection at a massive hub like IAH.
The Canadair Regional Jet 700 United might not be the glitziest plane in the sky, but it gets the job done. It’s the reason you can get from a tiny airport in the Midwest to a flight for London or Tokyo without having to drive six hours to a major city. Just remember to duck your head when you board.
To make your next trip easier, you should verify which version of the CRJ-700 you're flying by looking at the seat map in the United app—if you see 10 seats in First Class, you're on the much more comfortable CRJ-550.