A fancy regional jet? How United Airlines created the CRJ450
April 19, 2026
United Airlines is giving one of the least loved regional jets in US aviation a premium makeover.
The airline has unveiled a new CRJ450, a redesigned version of the Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet that will carry fewer passengers in more comfort. Upgrades include the introduction of a first-class cabin, more storage space and in-flight connectivity. The aircraft will be operated by SkyWest Airlines for United Express and is expected to begin service in fall 2026.
United is pitching the aircraft as one of its most premium regional jets, saying the new design creates a “private jet-like” experience for travellers in the front of the cabin.
Turning a CRJ200 into a premium aircraft
The CRJ450 is a reconfigured CRJ200, a 50-seat regional jet that has long been used on short routes between smaller cities and airline hubs. The CRJ200 is a single-class aircraft with 17.25″-wide seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration with a 31” pitch.
United’s redesign reduces the seating capacity to 41 passengers, leaving room for a premium cabin and other improvements.
The new CRJ450 layout includes:
- 7 United First seats
- 16 Economy Plus seats offering extra legroom
- 18 standard economy seats
aeroLOPA has not yet published the seat details for this new United aircraft, but based on the airline’s rendering the United First seats are wider, with an adjustable headrest, and more legroom. Economy Plus seats are identical to standard economy seats but are set farther apart.
One quick cabin quirk to note: the aisle takes a hard left after the last first class seats, accommodating variable seat widths. This might leave passengers’ knees vulnerable to other passengers and trolleys passing through the aisle in the first Economy Plus row. Passengers have previously experienced this issue with the aisle tilt on some two-class Airbus A220s. It might be best to select a window or a middle seat in the first row of Economy Plus on the CRJ450.
Beyond introducing a dual-class configuration to an aircraft that traditionally operated with all-economy seating, United has also refreshed the aircraft’s interior trim and finishes throughout to match United’s mainline cabins.
More room overhead for luggage on a regional jet
One of the most unusual features of the CRJ450 is its extra ‘headroom’ first class cabin design. United has removed the overhead bins entirely in the premium section and replaced them with a large luggage closet near the front of the aircraft. Each first-class passenger can store a rollaboard bag in the dedicated storage area, which helps create a more open cabin environment.
The airline says the change is meant to make the small regional jet feel less cramped and more like flying on a private aircraft.
The storage redesign also addresses one of the biggest frustrations on smaller regional jets: limited storage space.
In the economy cabin, United says the aircraft will have overhead bins large enough to accommodate rollaboard carry-on bags, a rare feature in a regional jet of this size. However, as the RunwayGirl Network reports, the larger bins only accommodate wheeled luggage loaded on the side, which takes up more horizontal space. Some economy passengers may still need to check their bags at the gate, depending on the number of bags on board.
The new regional aircraft will also feature high-speed Starlink in-flight WiFi, available free for passengers who are members of the airline’s MileagePlus loyalty program. In-seat power will be available via USB-C outlets on all seats by the end of the year.
The newly redesigned CRJ450 regional aircraft will primarily connect smaller cities to United’s hubs in Denver and Chicago, allowing travellers from smaller markets to access the airline’s network with a consistent premium passenger experience throughout their journey.
Part of United’s broader premium strategy
The CRJ450 is part of United’s push to expand its premium footprint across its fleet — from long-haul cabins on widebody aircraft to upgraded interiors on its smallest regional planes.
United CEO Scott Kirby said, in the airline’s announcement of its extended premium focus, that the airline intends to “elevate our offerings to the next level, creating an even more consistent, premium onboard experience for every customer and delivering value across every cabin of service.”
Builds on the success of the United Airlines premium CRJ550
The CRJ450 builds on the regional premium concept introduced with the CRJ550 United regional aircraft that entered service in 2019.
According to aeroLOPA data, the United Airlines CRJ550 is equipped with 10 United First seats, 20 Economy Plus seats and 20 standard economy seats.
- United First features 20″-wide Safran Close Comfort II seats in a 1-2 configuration, with a 36” seat pitch
- Economy Plus and standard economy feature 17”-wide Safran Slim Plus seats arranged 2-2, with a 35” seat pitch in Economy Plus and a 30” seat pitch in standard economy.
By 2028, United expects to operate more than 50 CRJ450s and nearly 120 CRJ550s, creating a large fleet of regional aircraft that offer premium cabins.
United’s new CRJ450 brings private jet experience to regional flights
Frequent flyers are often critical of regional jets like the CRJ200 because of their cramped cabins, limited storage and lack of premium seating.
United is addressing these complaints by redesigning the aircraft with fewer seats and upgraded interiors, turning an unpopular aircraft into an attractive, upscale experience for passengers, which the airline promises will be the closest thing to flying a private jet on a regional route.
With improvements from nose to tail, United Airlines has certainly turned the sow’s ear CRJ200 into a silk purse with the new CRJ450 cabin design.
Featured Image: Markus Mainka | stock.adobe.com
