Regional Jets - Are They Finished?What you call an RJ isn't clearly defined but generally anything under 100 seats is considered a regional jet although some might consider aircraft of around 100 seats such as Embraer's E190/195 and even the smaller versions of C Series to be in that category.
Demand has definitely shifted to the larger aircraft and there are a number of reasons for that, and cabin comfort isn't a small consideration. The old 50-seater CRJ100/200 and ERJ145s have smaller cabin spaces and less room per seat. Even the 70-seaters weren't much better. And this has been one of my primary concerns with the CRJ1000 since it does little to allieviate that because it keeps the original height and width dimensions and simply adds an extension (commonly referred to as a "plug") to the fuselage (or main body section of the aircraft).
C Series will more effectively target Embraer's success with its E Series aircraft. There's no denying the E-190/195 is popular. With more than 800 of these things being sold the last time I checked the E Series offers greater cabin space and thus seat space. There's a feeling of more space because the cabin is larger and the lighting is better.
Why it has taken Bombardier so long to catch on is the real mystery. But hey, better late than never. C Series is a better airplane all the way around. It is not only larger, but it has better seating, storage, lighting, lower maintenance costs, and better fuel economy.
With C Series, Bombardier catches up and surpasses Embraer in the larger regional jet category - and it has the added potential of stretching the C Series platform to offer an even larger aircraft.
It is this potential for building a stretch of C Series which has Boeing and Airbus concerned because it could offer serious competition to the lower end of their product range. However, any stretch of C Series would take at least another couple of years in development, which would give Boeing and Airbus a little more time to respond.In any event we shouldn't see to much on that score until 2015 and beyond.
In addition, it might be prudent to keep in mind large new commercial jet programs like this often involve delays. You don't have to look far. Boeing's 787 is now about 4 years behind schedule. Hopefully, with its smaller array of international risk-sharing suppliers, and the fact that it can lbenefit from the Boeing and Airbus 380 mistakes Bombardier will have greater success.