The CRJ-550 is a "new" 50-seat regional jet designed to make the small-jet experience more comfortable, roomy, and elevated over the old predecessor CRJ-200. With a true first class, snack bar and luggage rack among other amenities, the 50-seater is meant to be a game changer for the regional airline market. 

First Class

A key factor and market point of the CRJ-550 is that it will be the first 50-seat regional jet to have a true first-class cabin. Previously, the CRJ-200 and E145 lacked such a cabin and were configured in an all-economy layout, featuring extra legroom in the first row only. 

The First Class cabin on the CRJ-550 comprises of 10 seats over 3.5 rows in a 1-2 layout. The 10th seat comes from the left side of the aircraft, where there is an additional single seat after the first 3 rows of 1-2 seating. The experience in first class is meant to match mainline aircraft, with good legroom and comfortable seats. 

Economy Plus and Economy

The back half of the plane was not left out with this refurbishment either, with new seats and carpeting being installed for the economy and economy plus cabins. With enhanced legroom over the old 50-seaters, the CRJ-550 offers a more comfortable experience for those in the economy.

Economy plus passengers will benefit from additional legroom on top of the standard economy pitch as well, along with a better recline in the seat. Color-branded seats also make the aircraft feel more vibrant and welcoming for those stepping aboard. 

Other Features

The seats were not the only focus in the creation of this aircraft. With a goal in mind to create a "Luxury" regional jet experience, the CRJ-550 also features a few new features for the first class and economy cabins. Starting in the front, a full snack and drink bar has been added at the front of the first-class cabin. Designed for flights where it might be too short to run a full meal service, these bins are filled with fresh snacks and drinks that are normally seen on mainline flights. Therefore, customers can walk up and grab whatever they want, when they want, making even the short flights are more pleasurable experience. 

The next feature is available for both First Class and Economy cabins, which is a luggage rack near the dividing point of the aircraft. Since the overhead bins are naturally small on the CRJ series of aircraft, a luggage rack has been added to allow for larger carry-on items to stay inside the main passenger cabin without needing to be checked in the cargo hold. Bins come at a use of first-come first serve in both cabins, so be sure to snag space in them as soon as you board.

Summary 

With an experience meant to elevate regional jet flying, the CRJ-550 is doing a good job of changing what 50-seat flying used to be. Jets that people once tried to avoid at all costs are now worthy of earning customer revenue thanks to enhancements that put the aircraft head to head with planes that are much larger than it. Currently, Delta and United fly the type, with the intent to grow their fleets over the next few years under the GoJet (United Express) and SkyWest (Delta Connection) brands.