My last work trip of the year is heading back to Cincinnati, or at least Cincinnati adjacent. I’ll be taking American Airlines on this trip to CVG via DCA. It’s been a while since I’ve flown via DCA and I’m looking forward to it. The first flight of the day is an American Airlines CRJ900 in economy. I’ve ridden on and reviewed the CRJ900 several times on lots of different carriers, but I’ve not reviewed the AA CRJ900 yet.
American uses the CRJ900 pretty heavily on short routes like GSP-DCA. The CRJ900 is currently(December 2022) the second most numerous plane operated for American under the Eagle brand. They seat between 76-80 people, depending on the configuration. The CRJ900 does feature a first class cabin, main cabin extra, and then economy. Today I’ll just be riding in Economy. I don’t have any AA status and I rarely will pay extra money for an upgrade, especially on short flights like between GSP and DCA.
I had some issues during boarding, they wouldn’t allow me to bring my carry on with me onto the plane. My bag fits, I know it fits on the CRJ900, I have pictures, but nope, they claimed it was company policy, AA doesn’t allow carry on bags onto CRJ900s. The baggage issues I had during boarding were weird and ended up being consequential, but I still would like to ask AA if it’s company policy that carry on bags are not allowed onto CRJ900s.
Bottom Line: All in this AA CRJ900 Economy flight was perfectly pleasant. However, keep in mind it’s still a regional jet on short routes. The service and snacks match the route but I have no complaints with that.
GSP Airport
Welcome back to a sleepy and dark GSP. This AA flight departs around 7:30 am, It’s winter so it’s a little dark when I got here around 6:45am. I’m not checking bags, I have Pre-Check and Clear, GSP is small. Getting here pretty close to departure is mostly normal for me.
It’s quiet here in Greenville. It’s also the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas, not a whole lot of people traveling this time of year.
I was through TSA and into the terminal very quickly. Instead of my usually turn towards the B Concourse, I took a left towards A and the gates the American Airlines area.
American Airlines CRJ900 Boarding and Economy Seat
Outside, our AA CRJ900 was waiting to take us up to DCA. The plane had overnighted here in GSP, like most first flights of the day, we were scheduled to be right on time. So a weird thing happened, when I went to board the AA CRJ900, I was required to gate check my bag.
I’ve carried my pelican onto CRJ900s dozens of times, including on AA. Yet I was told this is not permitted. All rolling bags must be gate checked. I specifically use my pelican because it fits in the overhead bin on the CRJ900 with ease.
It started when the AA ground handler told me to give her my bag. I told her it fits and wouldn’t be an issue. I’ve done this lots of times, I just walk onto the plane and move on with my life. This time was different.
The AA ground handler was particularly unpleasant about the situation. The AA CRJ900 flight attendant was not friendly, but not what I would consider mean. After a little push back I complied, no need to get thrown off a flight for something silly. I don’t like checking my bag due to the things I carry, I have a pelican for a reason, so my items will be safe, but I don’t like when my bag is outside of my possession. I also have a tight 40 minute connection in DCA so I really would rather not wait around for my gate checked bag.
After I left my bag plane-side, the flight attendant tried to explain her position to me as I was walking past her at the entryway. I didn’t really care and was blocking the aisle so I just politely said ok and walked back to my seat. She closed with “you can email AA if you want.” I probably won’t, I don’t care that much, I’m just confused by the policy. Seems weird, that American, and only AA, doesn’t allow carry on bags into the CRJ900, but I guess it’s the rule.
I settled into my seat. This plane’s interior is nicely outfit and in good condition, especially in comparison with other CRJs that are flying around. This one seems relatively modern including power in each seat and large, completely unused, overhead bins.
The leg room was adequate, pretty much exactly what you’d expect on a large regional jet. I usually like riding on the CRJ900, it’s a pretty comfortable ride.
Outside it was raining but the sun had started to rise. Not really a sunrise because of the clouds though.
Inside the AA CRJ900 cabin the captain came on and told us we need to wait for a few minutes here before heading to the runway. Not great for my small connection especially when I need to wait for my bag.
The safety presentation was shown. American uses a pre-recorded announcement on the CRJ900 and the flight attendants do the demonstration while standing in the aisle. The mood lights were turned on and we slowly headed for the runway.
American Airlines CRJ900 Economy Departure
We soon did head to the runway. It’s very cloudy and rainy here in Greenville today. We were told it would be a little rough on departure, and it was, but nothing that I would say was notable. Despited the warning, our AA CRJ900 took off pretty close to on-time after only a few minutes of waiting.
Once off the ground it was a little rough as we climbed through the clouds, but really not bad at all.
American Airlines CRJ900 Economy In Flight Review
We were soon above the clouds and things on the CRJ900 smoothed out very nicely.
The American CRJ900 has power available, even here in economy. I Plugged in my phone and settled into a podcast. There’s a 110v universal socket along side USB. Only one per row, so you do need to share with your neighbor.
American Airlines CRJ900 Economy Snack Service
The flight attendant began her drink and snack service. On the CRJ900 in economy, American offers normal soft drinks, coffee, water, and then some snacks. I opted for water and biscoff. I’m very boring.
A few minutes later our garbage was collected and I settled into another podcast. This flight to DCA isn’t very long and we have about 25 minutes left in the flight up to DC. Looks like we should be on time, this allayed my fears about my short connection.
American offers Wifi and entertainment via a “Stream to you’re own device” option. I didn’t try to use it on this CRJ900 flight, too short to fuss with.
American Airlines CRJ900 Arrival Into DCA
The seat-belt sign was illuminated and we slowly began our decent into DCA. There was a pre-recorded announcement about landing and to stow away electronics and prepare for arrival.
Looks like it will be a little rainy in DC(Virginia) once we land. The ride in was a little bumpy, but not bad. The CRJ900 handles weather like this somewhat well, it will never be a wide body, but it’s better than the 50 seaters.
We landed in DCA about 20 minutes early, but got sent to wait away from the terminal. We don’t have a gate. I’m so glad I had to gate check my bag, now I get to wait for it. I really hope I make my connection. The captain told us we should have a gate soon and that she was working to get one, but there was a plane in our gate that had been delayed.
We did eventually get a gate, it did take about a half hour so we’re about 10 minutes late getting into the terminal. Unfortunately I still need to wait on my bag, my next flight is leaving in 30 minutes, this is why I really don’t like to gate check.
In the jet-bridge many of us have short connections and are waiting for luggage. At the end of the day it didn’t matter, I made my next flight(because it was also delayed), but that’s for next time.
American Airlines CRJ900 Economy Final Thoughts
Riding in a CRJ900 isn’t that exciting, especially in economy class. I didn’t have a bad flight, it’s just a little boring, but perfectly pleasant. I don’t ride on American Airlines too frequently, but this CRJ900 flight to DCA from GSP was just what I needed. Onboard the service was prompt and simple, just drinks and a small snack, perfect for a one hour flight. I do wish the flight was on time, it’s always disappointing to land on time yet not get to the gate when scheduled. It didn’t matter as my next flight was also delayed, but I wasn’t the only one with a short connection.
The denial of my carry on bag was a little strange, I did reach out to AA about the incident but received a useless canned response that was in no way relevant. I might steer clear of the AA CJR900 if not allowing carry on bags is in fact AA policy.