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Bombardier CRJ550 GoJet Airlines operated for United Express

Registration: N504GJ Type: CL-600-2C11 Engines: 2 × GE CF34-8C5B1 Serial Number: 10022 First flight: Dec 2001

The history of the CRJ550 begins in 2019, when the American regional carrier United Airlines faced a peculiar challenge. Collective bargaining agreements with pilot unions in the United States strictly limited the number of regional aircraft with more than 50 seats that could be operated by the subsidiary carriers of major airlines. These restrictions, known as "scope clauses," were put in place to protect the jobs of mainline airline pilots.

United Airlines found a creative solution: take the existing 70-seat CRJ700 and radically reduce its seating capacity to 50, in order to formally comply with the requirements of the union agreements. Bombardier modified the CRJ700 by altering only the cabin layout of the existing airframe. But that was not all. To meet U.S. regulatory requirements, the Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) was reduced to 65,000 pounds. The new CRJ550 received certification from both Transport Canada and the FAA.

The key idea was to use the freed-up space for the installation of more comfortable premium-class seating. The result was a regional aircraft with an unusually spacious cabin: 10 business class seats, 20 Economy Plus seats, and just 20 standard economy seats. The remaining available space was used to install generously sized overhead bins for carry-on luggage, effectively resolving longstanding baggage issues. In essence, it became a "poor man's liner" with the comfort of a mainline aircraft.

The aircraft with registration N504GJ, originally built in 2002, became the first of the 550 series. Its maiden flight took place in 2019, and commercial operations began in November of that same year under GoJet Airlines, operating under contract with United. The CRJ550 became the only 50-seat aircraft capable of offering three classes of service.

Notably, this modification remained exclusive to United Airlines — no other customers emerged. The result was a niche aircraft born not so much from technical innovation as from a clever workaround of labor agreements.

Bombardier CRJ900 Adria Airways

Registration: S5-AAK Type: 900LR (CL-600-2D24) Engines: 2 × GE CF34-8C5 Serial Number: 15128 First flight: May 2007

Since 2007, Bombardier has been producing the upgraded CRJ900 NextGen, which featured modernized cockpit equipment, a 5.5% improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the base model, and an enhanced cabin interior. Adria Airways operated this particular modification, primarily the CRJ900LR (Long Range) variant, capable of flying routes up to 3,300 km. In 2018, the airline’s fleet included nine aircraft of this model, making up a significant portion of its fleet alongside Airbus A319s, Bombardier CRJ700ERs, and CRJ200LRs. The “900’s” cabin layout offered two classes of service—business and economy—with a total capacity of 86–90 passengers. This configuration met the airline’s needs for routes from Ljubljana to cities like Frankfurt, Zurich, and Istanbul.

Adria Airways’ main hub was Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport, from which it operated most of its flights, including 170 weekly scheduled departures to 24 European destinations. The CRJ900 played a central role in this network, serving both short routes (e.g., Ljubljana–Vienna, Ljubljana–Skopje) and longer ones, such as flights to Moscow (Sheremetyevo Airport, Terminal F). These aircraft were also used for flights from secondary hubs in Pristina and Tirana, highlighting their versatility.

Adria Airways’ route network was designed to integrate with Star Alliance partners like Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines, enabling seamless connections through major European hubs. The CRJ900 was ideal for this model, offering high-frequency flights on routes with limited demand.

On charter routes, which formed a key part of the airline’s business, Adria frequently deployed the “900s.” These aircraft were used for seasonal flights to Mediterranean and Red Sea resorts, allowing the airline to flexibly adapt to changing demand. Passengers noted the cleanliness of the cabins and quality onboard service, including meals tailored to flight duration and the option to order special menus.

The operation of Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft by Adria Airways serves as an example of how regional jets can be effectively integrated into a mid-sized airline’s route network, efficiently serving routes with moderate demand.

Tupolev Tu-154M Aeroflot – Soviet Airlines

Registration: СССР-85662 Type: Tu-154M Engines: 3 × D30КU-154 Serial Number: 0816 First flight: Sep 1989

Aeroflot was founded in 1923 and is one of the oldest airlines in the world. During Soviet times, it was the only air carrier in the country and the largest airline in the world. Most of its routes ran inside the USSR, and at the same time, international transportation was developing, carried out through the International Air Communication Central Control, This department was established in January 1971 on the basis of the International Airlines Transportation Control and had a monopoly on international flights as the Aeroflot—Soviet Airlines brand. In 1984, Aeroflot began operating the Tu-154M, a new modification of the popular aircraft in the USSR. In 1987, the Tu-154M began operating international flights on behalf of Aeroflot—Soviet Airlines.

Bombardier CRJ700 SkyWest Airlines operated for American Eagle

Registration: N713SK Type: CRJ-701ER Engines: 2 × GE CF34-8C5B1 Serial Number: 10174 First flight: Oct 1, 2004

SkyWest Airlines is an American regional airline headquartered in St. George, Utah. Founded on April 26, 1972, by Ralph Atkin, SkyWest began as a small operation to shuttle businessmen between St. George and Salt Lake City. Over the years, it has grown to become the largest regional airline in North America, measured by fleet size, number of passengers carried, and number of destinations served.

SkyWest operates and maintains aircraft used on flights that are scheduled, marketed, and sold by four mainline partner airlines: American Eagle, Alaska Airlines, Delta Connection and United Express. SkyWest operated an average of 1,850 flights per day.

The airline's fleet includes a variety of aircraft, such as the Embraer E175, Bombardier CRJ700, and CRJ900.

Bombardier CRJ900 Scandinavian Airlines operated by CityJet

Registration: EI-FPA Named: Onäm Viking Type: 900LR (CL-600-2D24) Engines: 2 × GE CF34-8C5 Serial Number: 15398 First flight: Feb 27, 2016

Scandinavian Airlines, stylized as SAS (Scandinavian Airlines System), is a partially Danish state-owned airline and the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. The airline was founded in 1946 as a consortium to pool the transatlantic operations of Swedish airline Svensk Interkontinental Lufttrafik, Norway's Det Norske Luftfartselskap and Det Danske Luftfartselskab of Denmark. The consortium was extended to cover European and domestic cooperation two years later. In 1951, all the airlines were merged to create SAS. In 1997, SAS co-founded Star Alliance. The SAS fleet consists of Airbus and ATR aircraft. SAS also wet leases Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft.

Tupolev Tu-154B-1 Siberia Airlines

Registration: RA-85237 Type: Tu-154B-1 Engines: 3 × NK-8-2 Serial Number: 0237 First flight: 1977

S7 Airlines, widely known today in Russia, began its history in 1957 as "Tolmachevo United Air Squad" of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation of the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the USSR, the state airline Siberia was established in Russia on the basis of this squadron in 1992. After privatization in May 1994, the company was transformed into a joint-stock company "Siberia Airlines", and in 2005 it was renamed as S7 Airlines. The Tupolev Tu-154 is a three-engined, medium-range, narrow-body airliner designed in the mid-1960s and manufactured by Tupolev.

Yakovlev Yak-40 Vologda Aviation Enterprise

Registration: RA-88188 Type: Yak-40 Engines: 3 × Ivchenko AI-25 Serial Number: 48-08 First flight: Mar 1976

Vologda Aviation Enterprise is a regional airline with its head office on the territory of Vologda Airport in Vologda, Russia. It operates scheduled domestic and regional passenger services, maintenance of commercial flights, transportation services for gas and oil pipelines, as well as provides search and rescue operations. Vologda Aviation Enterprise traces its history back to September 1, 1931, when the first aircraft landed on the new air-strip, flying on the route Moscow – Yaroslavl – Vologda – Arkhangelsk. In 1969, the airline received its first Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft. In 1978 a new Vologda airport was built, it gave impetus to the development of aviation in the region. The current structure of the Vologda fleet includes Yakovlev Yak-40, Antonov An-2 and Mi-8 helicopters.