goingnowherefast wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2019 12:20 pm
DHC revealed a 50-passenger configuration for the Q400, like that created by Bombardier at the request of Trans States Airlines, an operator for United Airlines, to reconfigure the CRJ700 to 50 passengers and called the CRJ550.
The Q400 50-seat version provides ample carry-on luggage space to avoid gate checks. Poutissou claims economics of the reduced configuration will beat the CRJ550.
Not sure on fuselage length though, doesn't really make sense to just put 50 seats in a 78 seat airplane and call it something different.
Important bit highlighted. It's not a Dash 8 400 if you change the fuselage length.
As the above commenter said, there is already a 50 seat combi model. I'm sure this is just a bunch of first class seats with some extra wardrobes for large carry-on bags.
I think they are just trying to highlight the flexibility of the program and that they're willing to work with customers. They want to get that order backlog up beyond the one year it is now.
They have already stated they're looking into bringing the Classic back. That will be a longer term project.
Q400 is a great replacement for older regional jets on light routes, and is cheaper to operate. It's not a great replacement for routes in the Classic Dash and ATR, and the fuel burn and cost of operation (even if you pull the speed back at cruise) is still substantially more. Especially when you're operating routes where your average passenger loads are in the twenties and thirties.
(Slightly off topic, but Dornier is apparently creating a D328Neu that's a 40-seat stretch - that will definitely show if the market is ready for a new aircraft this size to join the ATR...)