The 50-seat “Problem”

The 50-seat regional jet problem is growing and it is pressing in the US. This was highlighted by United Airlines at the recent IATA AGM.  While the problem is most pressing for United, the problem is system-wide.  The “problem” is the apparent absence of an economically viable alternative to the aging regional jets.

Take a look at this model – please press the play button at the bottom left of the model. For this example please stay on Page 1 of the model. When press the play button you can see how the US-based regional jets have fared in terms of flights and stage length from 1997 through the first half of 2021.  The model shows stage lengths from 320 to 675 miles. Stage length becomes a crucial number. The 50-seaters all fall in the bottom right quadrant from 300 to under 500 miles.