Bombardier CRJ700: Like a Minibus, Only in the Sky

The Bombardier CRJ700 is a narrow-body regional jet aircraft, designed for medium-haul routes. Compact, fuel-efficient and reliable, it has become a popular choice among airlines looking for efficient aircraft to carry 70–78 passengers.


In this review, we will look at the characteristics, pros and cons of the CRJ700. We will also determine its place in the regional aviation market and understand why it is so popular with US airlines.

Bombardier CRJ700 design and construction

The CRJ700 is a stretched version of the CRJ200 aircraft. It was developed to increase the capacity and aerodynamics of the original version. Despite its small dimensions compared to mainline aircraft, the design was carefully thought out for optimal efficiency and ease of operation.

The fuselage is 32,5 meters long, 6,1 meters longer than the CRJ200. This allows for more cabin space, especially in the forward section and wing area. The fuselage diameter remains small at 2,69 meters, making the cabin quite narrow compared to its competitors.


Despite the lengthening, the layout of the aircraft remained traditional. The engines are located in the tail to reduce the noise level in the front part of the cabin and make taxiing on the ground more efficient. The wingspan has been increased by 200 meters compared to the CRJ2,5 – now it is 23,2 meters.

In addition, compared to other models, winglets appeared. These upward-curved wing tips cut the air flow, reducing its resistance and reducing fuel consumption.

The CRJ700 received a reinforced chassis adapted for operation on shorter runways. The main landing gear retracts into the wing bays, and the front one hides in the nose. The wheels received disc brakes, so the aircraft is better suited for short runways.

The liner is made primarily of aluminum-magnesium alloys, which are characterized by high strength and low weight. Composite materials are used in the design of fairings, wings and individual fuselage parts, which also contribute to weight reduction.


The number of rivets in the aircraft's design has been reduced to a minimum, but in such a way as to maintain the high strength and rigidity of the fuselage. This has helped reduce air resistance.

Flight performance characteristics of the aircraft

The CRJ700 is designed as an economical and versatile airliner for regional routes. It offers sufficient range for this purpose, high speed and low fuel consumption, which makes it one of the most profitable solutions for commercial airlines.

The maximum flight range depends on the configuration of the airliner. For example, in the basic version, the aircraft covers 2378 km on a full tank. In the CRJ700 ER modification, the range increases to 2777 km.

There is a version with an extended fuel reserve – CRJ700 LR. It can fly up to 3620 km without refueling, which greatly increases the list of possible routes.


The maximum flight speed is 870 km/h, and the cruising speed is 829 km/h. These are standard figures for aircraft of this class, so we do not find anything outstanding here.

Despite its compact size, the model pleases with its impressive load capacity. The takeoff weight of the basic version reaches 34019 kg, and the modification with increased range - 36287 kg.

The wing design and reinforced landing gear allow the CRJ700 to take off from runways as short as 1570 metres and land at 1400 metres, making it suitable for operations at regional airports.

The aircraft can climb to an altitude of 12500 meters, which allows it to fly above the turbulence zone to reduce the already relatively small fuel consumption. By the way, the average kerosene consumption by engines is 2,1 tons per hour - relatively little.

The capabilities of the liner's propulsion system

The Bombardier CRJ700 is powered by two General Electric CF34-8C5 turbofan engines mounted in the rear fuselage. This engine family is widely used in regional aviation due to its reliability, low fuel consumption and low noise level.


Each engine develops a thrust of up to 62,3 kN. The engines are adapted for operation in various climatic conditions - equally suitable for both hot and cold weather.

Thanks to an improved compressor design and an improved combustion system, the General Electric CF34-8C5 engine consumes less fuel than its counterparts. This is another reason why the airliner has become so popular with airlines.

The engine has a mean time between overhaul (TBO) of up to 10000 flight hours, allowing for a reduction in the frequency and cost of technical inspections and maintenance without compromising safety.

The placement of the engines in the tail section of the fuselage simplifies their inspection, allowing technical personnel to more quickly perform diagnostics and repair work (if necessary).

Interior and passenger comfort level

The Bombardier CRJ700 cabin is designed to carry between 66 and 78 passengers, depending on the version. The basic configuration uses a standard layout with two seats on each side of the aisle (formula 2+2). This is a familiar format for regional airliners.

Compared to its competitors, the CRJ700 cabin remains compact. The width of the fuselage does not allow for full-length wide aisles or increased seat pitch beyond the norm. However, some versions offer a layout with increased pitch between seats.

The cabin ceiling is 1,85 m high, so most passengers will have to bend slightly when moving along the aisle. This is one of the main compromises that had to be made when designing the aircraft due to the fuselage being too narrow.

The standard seat width is approximately 43 cm. The distance between them (from the seat to the backrest in front) varies from 76 to 81 cm, depending on the airline's standards. In business class (if available), the seats are wider, and the pitch is increased to 94 cm.

Most CRJ700s are equipped with adjustable seatbacks and armrests, but due to space limitations, the seatbacks do not recline as far as those on larger aircraft.

The windows in the CRJ700 are not very large, but they are placed in such a way that passengers have a good view. The lighting is done according to the classic scheme - rows of LED lamps are located along the ceiling and create a soft white glow that does not tire the eyes.

Most models have individual ventilation and lighting units above each seat. The CRJ700 is rarely equipped with built-in multimedia systems, but Wi-Fi is usually available on board (however, this varies depending on the airline).


Hand luggage is stored in the overhead bins, but due to the compact size of the fuselage, it is not as spacious as in larger aircraft.

Bombardier CRJ700 cockpit and avionics

The cockpit is designed in the style of a glass cockpit with modern avionics and a high level of automation in flight. The controls are located logically and intuitively, which reduces both the mental and physical stress on pilots during the flight.

The control wheels instead of side joysticks make the aircraft control more traditional. This is convenient for pilots accustomed to the classic layout of the airliner's steering controls.

The CRJ700 is equipped with the Collins Pro Line 4 digital avionics suite. It includes:

✅ Five color LCD displays for displaying navigation, meteorological and flight information
✅ Flight Management System (FMS), which simplifies navigation and takes some of the crew's work off their hands
✅ autopilot with vertical and lateral guidance function, allowing for automatic landing approach

Pilots can set the route, altitude and flight mode, and the autopilot will do most of the work. Built-in Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS) and Early Ground Proximity Warning Systems (EGPWS) significantly increase the level of safety.

Conclusion

From all of the above, we conclude that the Bombardier CRJ700 is a reliable, economical and versatile aircraft, optimized for short and medium-haul routes within one country or neighboring countries.

Low operating and maintenance costs allow airlines to maintain low prices for flights, so the equipment will remain in demand in the aviation industry for a long time.