The ERJ175 and CRJ900 fill a similar role for most airlines. Both are large regional jets that are capable of seating about 70 people in a 2 class configuration. Both the CRJ900 and ERJ175 are usually operated by regional airlines on short haul flights to secondary markets. They are also often used on thin point to point routes.
I’ve done more than my share of ERJ175 and CRJ900 reviews. I’ve grown fond of both of these aircraft lately, living in a somewhat small market, having a two class aircraft is so much better than a CRJ200 or ERJ145. Both the CRJ900 and ERJ175 are extremely safe aircraft and are widely deployed around the world.
In comparing the CRJ900 and ERJ175 there are a few differences that could make one plane a better choice over the other. I’d gladly ride on either, but they both have their own advantages. Then there’s the oddball of the CRJ550. The CRJ550 is really a CRJ700 but with only 50 seats. The CRJ550 might be the best large regional aircraft that exists. But for this review, I’ll be focusing on the CRJ900 vs ERJ175.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 First Class Seats
Within North America, the CRJ900 and ERJ175 will commonly have a domestic first class section. These obviously aren’t amazing, but are perfectly adequate for the ~2 hour flights that these planes are usually deployed on. Both the CRJ900 and ERJ175 use a 1-2 configuration in first class. The single seat side is great for solo flyers while the two seat side is great for those who are traveling with an partner.
ERJ175 First Class Seats
On the ERJ175 in first class the seats are comfortable and have great legroom. It’s not the biggest plane ever so obviously don’t expect miracles but it’s pretty good for what it is. The window placement on the ERJ175 is higher than on the CRJ900 so if you’re a window watcher the CRJ is a nice choice.
CRJ900 First Class Seats
The CRJ900 first class seats are usually the exact same seat as on the ERJ175. Most CRJ900s have lower windows, there are a few that are the newer model with higher windows, but most are not. The seats are comfortable and really there’s not much difference between the two aircraft seat wise.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Economy Plus Seats
On the ERJ175 and CRJ900 within North America, both are likely to have some sort of extend leg room economy seat. These will be in a 2-2 configuration so no extra width but the extra leg room is nice to have.
ERJ175 Economy Plus Seats
On the ERJ175, economy plus is the same seat as economy, but there’s a little bit more leg room. On Delta, it also includes free drinks.
One thing to look out for, is that the first row of Economy Plus on the left side of the aircraft kinda sucks. The leg room is great, but because it’s where the seating transitions from 1-2 in first class, to 2-2 in economy, this seat feels like you’re sitting in the aisle. You don’t have access to under seat storage and during boarding you’ll likely be bumped into more than a few times.
CRJ900 Economy Plus Seats
Ok, so in an effort to be fully transparent, this picture is from a United CRJ550. The CRJ550 is the same plane as the CRJ900 but with more premium seats.
The Economy Plus seats on the CRJ900 are good with lots of extra leg room. I’d again avoid the first row on the left side of the plane but the right side of the plane is great. Lots of leg room and plenty of storage under the last row of first class.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Economy Seats
Both the CRJ900 and ERJ175 are large regional jets that both use 2-2 seating arrangement in the economy cabin. On most airlines, there’s very little noticeable difference between the two planes when seated in economy. Both of these planes don’t feel like a regional jet.
ERJ175 Economy Seats
The economy seats on the ERJ175 are usually comfortable and because they are in a 2-2 configuration, there’s no middle seat to deal with.
CRJ900 Economy Seats
One small advantage of the CRJ900 in economy is the addition of exit rows. The ERJ175 usually doesn’t have an exit row in the economy cabin where the CRJ900 does. This means there’s 2 rows in economy with great leg room.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Meal Service
On both the ERJ175 and CRJ900 first class isn’t likely to have a full meal service and what you receive on both planes will be identical across all classes of service.
First Class Meal Service
In first class on the ERJ175 and CRJ900, on longer flights, you might receive a snack box like this one on Delta. They aren’t amazing but will get you though a 2-3 hour flight.
On shorter flights in first class, just snack and drinks will be served. In first class, beer, wine, and liquor is included.
Economy Plus Snack Service
On the CRJ900 and ERJ175 in the extra leg room economy seats, you get free drinks. No meal, but at least there are snacks and booze.
Economy Snack Service
In economy on the CRJ900 and ERJ175 a regular snack and drink service is included. No free booze, but regular drinks and snacks are usually included.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Features
Both the ERJ175 and CRJ900 will often have power in every seat. It’s great for keeping your devices charged.
The down side is that neither the CRJ900 or ERJ175 will likely have in seat entertainment. You might get an airline that provides a stream to your own device, but that’s not always the case.
A big benefit of both the ERJ175 and CRJ900 is that the overhead bins will fit a legal carry on bag. They won’t accommodate bags that are just oversized, only true carry-on sized bags.
CRJ900 vs ERJ175 Bathrooms
The CRJ900 and ERJ175 both have 2 lavatories. One in the front and one in the rear. This is a great arrangement for when the flight attendants are in the aisle with drink carts.
Neither the CRJ900 or ERJ175 have large bathrooms, it’s a small plane. I have found that the rear bathrooms are larger than the ones in the front of the planes.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Best Seats
Both of these aircraft(in North America) usually will have 72 seats spread across First Class, Economy Plus, and Regular Economy. Because of the configuration of each plane, some seats are better than others.
CRJ900 Best Seats
On the CRJ900 in first class, all of the seats are good. I don’t much like the bulk head, but that’s just a personal preference. Because of the 1-2 seat configuration seats on the single seat side are great for solo travelers where as seats on the two seat side are great for couples.
In Economy Plus, the first row on the right side are the best seats. The ones on the left are the worst. The rest of the seats are all about the same and are perfectly pleasant.
In Economy, the CRJ900 has exit rows that have tons of leg room. But I’d avoid the last row of the plane. Because the CRJ900 has rear mounted engines, it can be a little noisy in the back.
ERJ175 Best Seats
The ERJ175 has the same seating configuration across all it’s cabins as the CRJ900. So I again don’t like the first class bulk head but love the single seat side of the aircraft as a solo traveler.
In Economy Plus I’d again avoid the first row on the left side while the right side is great.
The ERJ175 has underwing engines and no emergency exit row seats. This means that the whole economy cabin is basically identical. No extra leg room seats but also no rear engine noise to deal with.
ERJ175 vs CRJ900 Final Thoughts
I like riding on both the ERJ175 and CRJ900. They are comfortable planes regardless of class of service. The 2-2 seating in economy is very comfortable and I might even say is better than 3-3 that is installed in most narrow body aircraft. The 1-2 seating in first class is great too.
The service you’ll receive is exactly the same on both aircraft. They area also used on pretty much the same routes. Usually smaller airports to major hubs, or in a few cases, medium sized cities with point to point routing.
If I had to pick one of these planes to prefer, I think I like the ERJ175 better. However, there are some newer CRJ900s with a much more modern cabin that I would prefer over the ERJ175. This is of course neglecting the CRJ550, and that is my favorite regional jet.
I have full reviews of all of these aircraft and classes if you want a more in-depth reviews:
At the end of the day, I’d gladly fly on both of these aircraft.