Bombardier CRJ900

Bombardier CRJ900
Mark Harkin · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Bombardier CRJ900
Manufacturer	Bombardier Aerospace
First flight	2000
Introduction	2001
Status	In service

Bombardier CRJ900 The Bombardier CRJ900 is a regional jet developed by Bombardier Aerospace derived from the Canadair Regional Jet family. The type entered service in the early 2000s and has been operated widely by carriers across North America, Europe, and Asia. It bridged capacity between turboprops and narrowbody jets used by airlines such as Air Canada, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Lufthansa, and Japan Airlines. Designers sought improved economics, range, and cabin comfort relative to earlier regional types during a period influenced by carriers like American Eagle Airlines, United Express, and SkyWest Airlines.

Introduction

The CRJ900 was marketed as a stretched derivative of earlier Canadair models developed at facilities in Montréal under Bombardier Aerospace leadership and engineering teams that previously worked on aircraft like the Canadair Regional Jet and components for the Learjet family. Certification involved civil aviation authorities including Transport Canada, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Launch customers included regional operators affiliated with Delta Connection and Air France Hop, reflecting industry consolidation among groups like Air France-KLM and SkyTeam. The program coincided with competitive responses from manufacturers such as Embraer and Fokker.

Development and Design

Development began as Bombardier pursued market segments previously served by the Canadair Regional Jet while responding to route structures of carriers like British Airways and Iberia. Design goals included structural stretch, higher passenger capacity, and incremental improvements to the wing, empennage, and systems derived from work on Challenger business jets. The powerplant selection included variants of the General Electric CF34 engine family, which also powered aircraft for operators such as KLM Cityhopper and Saudia subsidiaries. Avionics suites incorporated hardware from suppliers used by aircraft like the Boeing 737NG and the Airbus A320ceo family, integrating navigation and flight management systems certified by authorities including the FAA and EASA. Manufacturing involved supply chains with companies such as Spirit AeroSystems and Honeywell for landing gear and flight control components, reflecting industry collaboration seen in programs like the Boeing 787.

Variants and Specifications

Variants of the CRJ900 family included stretched, long-range, and corporate versions designed for operators including Alaska Airlines subsidiaries and charter operators like NetJets. Typical specifications for mainstream airline configurations featured seating capacities in the high 70s to low 90s, a maximum range comparable to short-haul narrowbodies serving markets such as New York City–Chicago and Tokyo–Sapporo, and cruise speeds similar to regional competitors produced by Embraer and Fokker. Key physical attributes included a low-wing configuration, T-tail empennage similar to earlier Canadair types, and cabin cross-sections optimized for single-aisle boarding used by carriers like Ryanair and easyJet for benchmarking. Systems and avionics allowed for operations to airports regulated by entities such as Nav Canada and Airservices Australia.

Operational History

Operational deployment expanded rapidly in the 2000s with major carriers including Delta Air Lines and United Airlines integrating the type into regional networks operated by affiliates such as Republic Airways and Trans States Airlines. The aircraft served high-frequency routes within domestic markets and fed larger hubs for alliances like oneworld and Star Alliance. Fleet utilization intersected with regional pilot labor agreements negotiated by unions such as the Air Line Pilots Association and Transport Workers Union. The CRJ900 also participated in government and military-related transport contracts with organizations like the Canadian Armed Forces and civil agencies for special missions.

Operators

Commercial operators have ranged from legacy carriers like Air Canada and Japan Airlines to regional specialists including Mesa Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and WestJet Encore. Leasing companies such as GE Capital Aviation Services and AerCap managed significant portions of the installed base, enabling operators like LOT Polish Airlines and SAS to scale fleets. Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) support came from providers like Lufthansa Technik and Bombardier Training centers, with spare parts logistics coordinated through global hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Amsterdam.

Incidents and Accidents

The CRJ900 fleet experienced several incidents investigated by authorities including the National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Safety Board of Canada, and Air Accidents Investigation Branch. Event summaries involved occurrences such as runway excursions, hard landings, and in-flight system anomalies, prompting Airworthiness Directives from the FAA and service bulletin actions coordinated with operators like Delta Connection and American Eagle. Investigations often referenced preceding incidents involving regional types operated by carriers like Endeavor Air and Horizon Air and informed industry safety enhancements promulgated by organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Production and Legacy

Production spanned an era of consolidation for Canadian aerospace firms culminating in the sale of regional jet programs and facilities that influenced successor platforms produced by manufacturers like Mitsubishi Aircraft Corporation and COMAC. The CRJ900 contributed to the operational evolution of regional air service, influencing route planning at airlines such as Southwest Airlines and shaping fleet strategies for groups including IAG. Its legacy includes training standards adopted by regulatory bodies such as EASA and aftermarket ecosystems supported by firms like SR Technics and StandardAero. Many airframes transitioned to lessors or were retrofitted for cargo and VIP roles, reflecting lifecycle practices seen across the commercial jet fleet.

Category:Bombardier aircraft