United Airlines is close to putting its smallest premium jet into service. The CRJ-450, a reworked version of the 50-seat CRJ-200, is “on track” to begin carrying passengers by the end of 2026, according to Andrew Nocella, the airline’s chief commercial officer. Nocella made the remarks at Washington Dulles International Airport, where United had just opened its new E Concourse. The first aircraft is expected to debut at the carrier’s Chicago O’Hare hub, ([1])which makes the plane a near-term change for passengers in the Midwest.
A tight timeline for a small aircraft
The schedule is tight. Speaking in late October, SkyWest President Wade Steel said the first two CRJ-200s were still undergoing the modifications and certification needed at one of SkyWest’s maintenance facilities in Utah. Steel said the first conversions take longer because crews are working through first-time problems, while later conversions are expected to take two to three weeks each.
SkyWest, which will operate the first 40 CRJ-450s under the United Express brand, and SkyWest CEO Chip Childs both said the aircraft would still enter service by year-end. That commitment came with only about eight weeks left in 2026 at the time, which gives the timeline little room for delay.
What changes for passengers
The CRJ-450 is designed to feel different from the regional jets that many frequent flyers have come to dislike. The aircraft has 41 seats instead of 50, and the layout is split between a premium cabin and economy. United has described the design as a way to bring a more premium experience to smaller markets.
| Feature | CRJ-200 | CRJ-450 |
|---|---|---|
| Total seats | 50 | 41 |
| Cabin layout | All economy | Seven first class, 34 economy, including extra legroom |
| Overhead storage | Standard bins | Luggage closet in first class, larger economy bins |
The first-class section gets a luggage closet in place of overhead bins, while the economy cabin will have larger bins designed for rollaboard bags. The aircraft will also offer free Starlink Wi-Fi to MileagePlus members, a feature that is uncommon on jets of this size.
Not everyone sees the change as a full transformation. Some industry observers note that the CRJ-450 is still a small regional jet and does not replace larger mainline aircraft. Its main advantage is the upgrade for passengers flying short routes from smaller cities into United’s hubs.
A question about the test aircraft
The rollout has not been without questions. Earlier this year, a CRJ-450 that United showed off in a fully fitted premium configuration reportedly began flying commercially, but with the standard CRJ-200 cabin. ([2])A United spokesperson reportedly suggested that the premium configuration was mainly a media event and that the version shown in March was never meant to fly in that form. These accounts have not been independently confirmed, and the airline’s recent statements focus on the year-end start date rather than the cabin layout used during the test.
Still, the difference matters for travelers. Passengers who book a CRJ-450 flight will want to know whether they will get the first-class seats and luggage closet that the airline has promoted, so the first revenue flights will serve as a practical test of the airline’s promises.
Why United is betting on smaller markets
United views the CRJ-450 as part of a broader push for premium seats. Steel estimated demand for around 100 aircraft in the coming years as major airlines look to add premium offerings across their fleets. United also expects to operate more than 50 CRJ-450s by 2028. ([3])
The strategy builds on the CRJ-550, a 50-seat premium variant that United introduced in 2019. Delta Air Lines has also offered the CRJ-550 on regional routes since 2024, which shows how major carriers are trying to upgrade smaller-city service without relying on larger jets. For Nocella, the goal is straightforward. In his words, the aircraft allows the airline to connect big cities to little cities.
If the CRJ-450 enters service on schedule, the first passengers to board it will offer the clearest answer to whether a smaller, more premium regional jet can change how travelers feel about flying to communities that rely on connections through Chicago.
