Bombardier CRJ 900

The Bombardier CRJ900 is a regional jet passenger aircraft developed by the Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier Aerospace. It serves as an extended variant of the CRJ (Canadair Regional Jet) family. The aircraft is designed for medium-range flights within regional airline networks.

Bombardier CRJ900 (Pixabay)

Purpose of Development and History

The CRJ900 is an improved and stretched version of the earlier CRJ700 model. Bombardier designed the CRJ900 based on the CRJ700 to meet increasing passenger demand and offer higher capacity. It conducted its first flight in 2001 and began commercial operations in 2003. The CRJ900 has enabled regional carriers to serve busier routes more efficiently.

Design and Technical Specifications

The Bombardier CRJ900 possesses specific technical specifications and a range of design elements:

• Engines: The aircraft is powered by two General Electric CF34-8C5 turbofan engines. These engines are designed to provide thrust and performance.
• Passenger Capacity: It typically has a passenger capacity of 76 to 90. The cabin interior can usually be arranged in dual-class or economy-class configurations.
• Range: Its range reaches up to 2,871 km (1,550 nautical miles) at maximum cruise speed.
• Speed: The maximum cruise speed is stated as Mach 0.82 (871 km/h).
• Dimensions: It is approximately 36.2 meters long, with a wingspan of 24.9 meters, and a height of 7.5 meters.
• Weights: The maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) can vary between 36,514 kg (80,500 lb) and 38,330 kg (84,500 lb).
• Avionics: Advanced cockpit features include systems such as Head-up Guidance System (HGS), Space-Based Augmentation System (SBAS), Coupled Vertical Navigation (CVNAV), and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B out).

Operators and Areas of Use

The CRJ900 is utilized by numerous regional airlines worldwide. Prominent operators include Lufthansa Regional (Lufthansa CityLine) and SAS. The aircraft is commonly employed for connecting flights between major hubs and smaller cities, or on regional routes with lower passenger densities. Features like its wide cabin and seat pitch have provided a certain level of comfort for an aircraft used in regional travel.