This flight happened in January so it’s been a long time coming, I’ve been very busy with work and haven’t had the time to write this up. This review will compare the CRJ900 vs ERJ175, both in Delta trim, both in Comfort Plus. The CRJ900 and ERJ175 compete directly in the 76 seat market.
Anyway, this is our trip home from visiting family over the holidays. Flying during COVID is still weird, I like the cleanliness of the planes and the extra space, but I just cannot wait for the pandemic to end. The vaccination effort is going well, I’m just hopefully people will use caution until we are all safe. So close to the finish line, let’s keep our foot on the gas. I cannot wait to travel more again.
The CRJ900 and ERJ175 are both 76 seat aircraft, they have First Class, Comfort Plus, and Economy, just like a main line aircraft. They have this many seats because of what is called a scope clause. Delta has a contract with it’s pilots, all planes with more than 76 seats will be flown by Delta pilots. Smaller aircraft, like these, can be flown by contractors.
In This Trip
1 :Delta CRJ900 and ERJ175 Comfort Plus Review: TLH-ATL-GSP, battle of the 76 seaters
1.1: TLH Airport
1.2: Delta ERJ175 Comfort Plus Review
1.3: ATL Airport Transfer
1.4: Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Review
1.5: Final Thoughts
TLH Airport
The Tallahassee airport is small. Not Gainesville or Roanoke small, but still very little. There are 2 terminals, A and B, each has 4 gates. I don’t think I’ve ever seen more than 3 occupied. We arrived 45 minutes before our flight, checked a bag, and still waited around at the gate for 25 minutes.
Our ERJ175 waiting to take us up to ATL. This is pretty much the only gate at TLH that Delta uses here in Tallahassee. They only service ATL from here, so it’s rare to have more than one plane on the ground. We soon boarded.
Delta ERJ175 Comfort Plus Review
We are flying on Basic Economy tickets and aren’t technically eligible for upgrades, but as has happened in the past, we were upgraded to C+. This is nice, however this particular seat sucks. As you can see, you’re basically sitting in the aisle. There’s also no under seat storage. I’d recommend the other side of the aisle or a window seat.
Unfortunately the sign is wrong, but it’s a lovely day for flying.
We pushed back from the gate right on time. Val’s always exited when I reach over her to take these pictures.
Tallahassee has two runways, one is larger and was just upgraded at a pretty significant cost. Before upgrading the main runway they also upgraded the smaller runway as to not shutdown the airport during the upgrade. After this, I don’t think I’ve ever flown out on the larger runway, the smaller one faces north and is now large enough for most planes.
This part of Florida is very flat. On a clear day you can see to the coast, but it’s not that direction, it would be behind us.
A nice view of Lake Talquin. This is one of the few hydroelectric dams in Florida. The state is just so damn flat it’s hard to build a dam that would give enough height to make power generation worth while.
This is only a 40 minute flight, so no service was offered. Even in normal times, there’s not service on these flights.
Power is provided on this flight, always a nice feature, even on the short legs that these planes are utilized on. USB and 110v, Val did use this as here phone was running low.
This was a late afternoon flight and as we started down into Atlanta we got a beautiful afternoon view.
Approaching Atlanta with the sun getting low. Still a beautiful day to fly.
Landed into ATL, with the light COVID and holiday loads, we landed on a close runway and had a very short taxi to the gate.
We were soon at the gate.
ATL Airport Transfer
We were soon into the B Concourse. We needed to get to F so we headed downstairs to the plane train.
The train soon arrived but it was absolutely mobbed. We had the time, so we decided to walk to the next station and see how full the next train would be.
The little history lessons are nice to read while you walk. I also like how the different sections of walkway between the different concourses are all different. Some show art, others history, some are the jungle.
We eventually grabbed once we saw an empty one. F is very far from B, and while you can walk, I wouldn’t recommend it if you are in a hurry.
Upstairs and into the concourse our plane was about to board. I like a nice short layover, there’s no reason for me to sit in an airport. I’d rather be at home or my destination.
Our little CRJ 900 waiting to take us to Greenville.
Delta CRJ900 Comfort Plus Review
We soon boarded our ride. Nice day outside still.
This time we were in the second row of Comfort Plus. This is an improvement as the CRJ900 suffers from the same aisle problems as the ERJ175. This particular plane is on the older side and it’s starting to show.
There is power and Val is again using it to charge her phone. But as you can see, this plane is worn. Leg room is good and I have space for my back pack.
Quick note, my Pelican fits perfectly into the overhead bins on this plane. It also fit just fine in the ERJ175. But it just shows how great this bag is and how if your luggage is the legal size, you don’t need to gate check, although I usually do.
We pushed off the gate right on time, the A330 waiting is always calling me. I cannot wait until we can travel long haul safely again.
As the sun was setting, we took off heading to Greenville.
Absolutely beautiful night to fly into.
Nice quite flight into GSP. No service on this 28 minute flight. Even BC there was no service in Economy, First might get a drink or snack, but who cares, it’s so short.
I was doing a little reading so turned on my light. How boring is this.
Looking over the Donaldson Center Airport, I think I’ve mentioned that I previously worked down here. Was fun to see the planes taking off. There’s a Lockheed build and maintenance facility here.
Approaching the runway. I find it funny that Fedex has both the largest and smallest planes here.
And onto the ground here in South Carolina. Lovely sunset and nice trip in all.
Final Thoughts
Is there any difference between the CRJ900 and ERJ175? Not really, no. They are both pretty comfortable in all seats. The CRJ has rear engines so can be a bit noisy in the rear. The ERJ doesn’t have over wing exits so there’s less “good seats.”
I really wouldn’t put any difference between them in terms of comfort, ride quality, or even noise. Both are good enough for the jobs they do.
End of the day, we got home, on time and in general comfort. How very boring.