Premium #126 – The Regional Jet Market Evolves

The regional jet market continues to live in the shadow of the mainline aircraft segment. However changes are taking place that seem to be redefining both the single-aisle mainline segment and the regional jet segment. Typically thought of as the sub-100 seat segment, regional jets are starting to cross this barrier.   Looking back, we’ve seen the 19-seat aircraft disappear, then 34-seat aircraft disappear, now the 50-seaters are disappearing. What constitutes a regional jet nowadays?

Last week we discussed the implications of the higher seating capacity being added to single-aisle aircraft by Airbus and Boeing. It appears that the two big OEMs are moving their focus upward in capacity terms. Does this leave the sub-150 seat market with a gap? Does it look like regional jets can move into this space?