SkyWest Airlines to Launch CRJ550 Services for Delta Connection in July 2024
SkyWest Airlines is set to enhance its fleet capabilities and passenger experience by introducing the CRJ550 aircraft into commercial service starting July 1, 2024. Operating under the Delta Connection brand, the inaugural flights will connect Salt Lake City to several regional destinations, including Butte, Cedar City, Elko, and West Yellowstone.
This move comes as part of SkyWest’s strategic fleet transition, where nineteen CRJ700 aircraft are being converted to the CRJ550 model. This transition follows the completion of their service under the American Eagle brand with American Airlines. The CRJ550 is a specially configured version of the CRJ700, designed to comply with scope clause agreements by offering 50 seats and a reduced maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 29,500 kgs, compared to the CRJ700’s 34,000 kgs.
SkyWest’s Chief Commercial Officer, Wade Steel, expressed enthusiasm for the new additions, stating, “SkyWest looks forward to adding the CRJ550 to our Delta Connection operations on select Salt Lake City routes in July. The two-class CRJ550 replaces flying that was previously single-class to align with the Delta Connection experience customers have come to expect from Delta.”
The introduction of the CRJ550s is significant not only for SkyWest but also for the regional airline industry. Currently, the only other operator of this aircraft type is GoJet Airlines (G7, St. Louis Lambert International), which operates it under the United Express banner for United Airlines.
SkyWest Airlines, known for its extensive regional network, operates a diverse fleet of 537 aircraft. This includes 129 CRJ200ERs, 122 CRJ700s, forty-four CRJ900s, and 242 E175s, according to the ch-aviation fleets module. The integration of the CRJ550s into their fleet underscores SkyWest’s commitment to modernizing its service offerings and enhancing the flying experience for its passengers, particularly those traveling on regional routes for Delta Air Lines (DL, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson).