Delta Air Lines has a sizeable fleet of CRJ900s that operate under the Delta Connection brand. There are over 140 CRJ900 aircraft in Delta service as of June 2022. This makes the CRJ900 by far the most common regional jet in the Delta Connection fleet. This is a good thing, while the CRJ900 isn’t the most comfortable plane in the world, it is significantly better than the CRJ200 and ERJ145(I’ve reviewed both if you’re interested).
As always, I rarely purchase anything above an economy ticket. I have Platinum Medallion Status with Delta so anything above economy was a complementary upgrade. On the Delta CRJ900 upgrades are always nice, but on the short routes the CRJ900 flies, it’s obviously not worth getting worked up about.
Delta has two different configurations of CRJ900s, one has 70 seats, the other has 76. The easy way to tell them apart is from the seat map. If the plane has 20 rows of seats then it has a capacity of 76 people, 19 rows means it’s a 70 seater. From a comfort stand point there’s not much difference between the two. The higher capacity CRJ900 has slightly different closets, bulkheads, and lavatories allowing for more passengers.
On the Delta CRJ900 some seats are better than others, in all of the different cabins I’ll discuss the best seats. Some of the CRJ900s are a newer cabin as they were delivered in the last few years. The CRJ900 is a pretty premium heavy aircraft so getting a good seat is often easy. Let’s get into this.
Delta CRJ900 Leg Room and Comfort
CRJ900 First Class Seats
The Delta CRJ900 First Class cabin is 12 seats spread across 4 rows. This means there are 3 seats per row with two seats on the right and a single seat on the other side of the aisle. If you’re traveling solo, the single seats are fantastic. They have both a window and aisle.
If you’re traveling as a pair, the two seat side of the airplane are going to be your best bet.
The leg room on the Delta CRJ900 in first class is good. Plenty of space for a bag at your feet and I still have plenty of legroom.
CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seats
On the Delta CRJ900, Comfort Plus has 20 seats across 5 rows. There are 4 seats in each row, two on each side of the aisle. This picture is from one of the newer CRJ900s.
The leg room is adequate on the Delta CRJ900 in Comfort Plus. This picture is from an older CRJ900, the seats are a little different.
Delta CRJ900 Economy Seats
The Delta CRJ900 economy seats are nothing special. Depending on the aircraft, there either 44 or 38 economy seats, depending on the configuration.
In the exit row there is a lot of leg room, probably more than in the Comfort Plus seats.
The regular economy seats are fine, not amazing. The best part is that there are no middle seats on the CRJ900, every seat is either a window or aisle.
Delta CRJ900 Best and Worst Seats
Like any plane, the CRJ900 has good and bad seats. Here are my opinions on what seats are the best on the Delta CRJ900.
Best CRJ900 First Class Seats
On the Delta CRJ900, the best seats are 2-4A. 1A is the bulk head and I much prefer to not sit in those seats. But 2-4A are great seats to sit.
Worst CRJ900 First Class Seats
I really don’t think the CRJ900 has any bad first class seats, even on the 2 seat side there’s plenty of space.
Best CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seats
On the Delta CRJ900, in comfort plus, the best seats are on the right hand side, just behind first class. This is Row 5C and D. The leg room is excellent and because the first class seats are a little wider than economy comfort, people walking down the aisle won’t bump into you.
Worst CRJ900 Comfort Plus Seats
The worst seat on the Delta CRJ900 in comfort plus is 5B. This seat is basically sitting in the aisle. Full disclosure, this picture is from an ERJ175, they have the same seating arrangement.
Best CRJ900 Economy Seats
On the Delta CRJ900, the best economy seats are the exit rows. Specifically row 13 with it’s large amount of leg room and the ability to recline. Row 12 is good for legroom, but the seats don’t recline.
Worst CRJ900 Economy Seats
The worst seats on the Delta CRJ900 in economy are the last row. The engines on the CRJ900 are in the rear of the plane and there’s another bathroom back there too. So it’s loud, there’s no recline, and you’re 2 feet from a toilet. I’d definably recommend avoiding those rows.
Delta CRJ900 Meal and Snack Service
First Class Snack Service
Waiting in each seat on boarding is usually a small bottle of water.
Delta doesn’t deploy the CRJ900 on long routes so the snack options fit that mission. On flights about an hour long you can expect a snack from the basket and a beverage.
Alcoholic beverages are also included in first class on the CRJ900. I really like the Delta branded Sweetwater Hazy IPA.
Comfort Plus Snack Service
On the Delta CRJ900 in Comfort Plus drinks are also included. You’ll also get an option of a sweet or salty snack. Here I had Biscoff cookies along side my Old Fashioned. I also like these canned cocktails.
Delta has also added hard seltzers to the mix. While I’m not a huge fan, I know Val likes them.
Economy Class Snack Service
Snack service on the CRJ900 is about the same as you’d get on any other plane in the Delta fleet. Regular beverages along with a small snack. I’m a big fan of Cheez-its and water.
Delta CRJ900 Features
For being a small plane the Delta CRJ900 has many features that you’d find on larger jets.
Every row has power outlets. Some have both USB and 110v, but they will all at least have 110v power.
On the newer CRJ900s, the overhead bins in the first class cabin are extended on the 2 seat side of the plane. These can fit a carry on bag straight in wheels or handles first.
Even in the Comfort Plus and Economy Cabin a carry on bag will fit. But only small ones. If you’re one to overstuff or have a bag with big handles or wheels it won’t fit. Most bags will be gate checked, but smaller ones like mine will fit.
For what it’s worth, the newer Delta CRJ900s have mood lights.
Delta CRJ900 Entertainment Options
Ok, here’s where a main line aircraft are usually better than the CRJ900.
As you can see, none of the seats on the CRJ900 have in seat entertainment. Delta does have Wifi on the CRJ900s and there are some stream to your own device options. I usually prefer to just listen to a podcast or watch a downloaded show.
Delta CRJ900 Final Thoughts
The Delta CRJ900 is a good little aircraft. It’s not my favorite plane in the sky, but it’s way better than the CRJ200 or ERJ145. The newer CRJ900s in the fleet have a much nicer interior than the older ones, unfortunately it’s difficult to tell them apart before boarding. If the plane has 19 rows it could go either way. If the plane has 20 rows it’s a newer interior.
I don’t go out of my way to ride on the CRJ900, but I won’t avoid it if it’s on a route I need to travel. For me, the CRJ900 is pretty comfortable in all cabins, but obviously if I have a choice, I’d prefer a single seat in the first class cabin. While I think seats 5C/D have more leg room, I like not having a seat mate.
The Delta CRJ900 has power in every row of every cabin so that’s great. Also the fact that my carry on bag fits into the overhead bin lets me avoid having to gate check my luggage. At the end of the day I think the CRJ900 is a fine aircraft, just maybe not as nice as the ERJ175.
If you want to check out a full flight review of the CRJ900:
Delta CRJ900 First Class Review
I’ve flown the CRJ900 to and from Upstate NY from JFK and typically only First Class gets served drinks and snacks. I’m Silver Medallion but still find myself paying $52 to upgrade to first as it sort of helps me hit the $3k MQDs if I do it regularly and if I check bags on a larger ticket it saves me tons of money.
Yea, on really short flights it’s the abbreviated service.
I personally won’t buy up to First on most short flights. But if you need the MQM/MQD bonus it totally makes sense.
I will occasionally if it comes with checked luggage on an airline I don’t have enough status for free bags.