United’s 1st Private-Jet-Like CRJ450 Set For December Debut In Chicago

Published Nov 10, 2026, 4:26 PM EST Jack comes to Simple Flying with a lifelong interest in all things aviation. He holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech, and is a certified private and remote pilot. Beyond these experiences, Jack previously worked for a corporate flight department where he gained first-hand experience in the world of business aviation. Currently, Jack works in the professional services industry and continues to build his flight hours outside of work. United Airlines is preparing to introduce its first CRJ450 regional jets in December, with the aircraft expected to begin operating from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Denver International Airport (DEN) before the end of 2026, according to reporting from The Points Guy. The new configuration gives the 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 a more premium cabin, including a dedicated first-class section, while retaining the smaller aircraft’s ability to serve markets that cannot support larger regional jets. The first aircraft, registered N973SW, was converted from a CRJ200 and is operated by SkyWest Airlines for United Express. Aviation Week confirmed that the first two conversions were still underway in early November. The launch is part of United’s effort to improve service on shorter regional routes without relying exclusively on larger aircraft. Rather than introducing a new airframe, the CRJ450 repurposes an existing jet with a revised cabin, expanded luggage storage, and onboard Wi-Fi. That approach could give smaller communities access to a more comfortable United Express product, although the airline has not announced a complete list of destinations. Lafayette, Indiana, is one example of a smaller market that could be relevant to the aircraft’s role, but it should not be treated as a confirmed CRJ450 destination. A 41-Seat Cabin Replaces The Standard CRJ200 Layout Credit: Channing Reid I Simple Flying The CRJ450 retains the CRJ200 airframe but reduces passenger capacity from 50 to 41 seats. Its cabin includes 7 United First seats, 16 Economy Plus seats, and 18 standard economy seats. The reconfiguration creates a two-class product on an aircraft that previously operated with an all-economy layout. United is also changing how passengers store their carry-on luggage. Overhead bins have been removed from the first-class cabin and replaced with a dedicated closet, giving passengers more open space around their seats. In economy, redesigned overhead bins are large enough to accommodate standard rollaboard bags, addressing a familiar inconvenience on smaller regional jets where larger carry-ons often have to be tagged and placed in the aircraft’s cargo hold. The aircraft will also feature Starlink Wi-Fi, available free to MileagePlus members, according to United’s March 2026 announcement. However, the CRJ450 will not include the self-service snack bar found on United’s larger CRJ550. The result is a more upscale regional cabin, not a miniature version of a mainline aircraft. SkyWest Is Converting Existing Aircraft For United Credit: Channing Reid I Simple Flying The first CRJ450, N973SW, began life as a CRJ200 delivered in June 2004. Aircraft records from Planespotters list its conversion in March 2026, following its previous configuration as a 50-seat regional jet. United publicly unveiled the concept that same month, but completing the first aircraft has taken longer than subsequent conversions are expected to require. SkyWest President and Chief Operating Officer Wade Steel told investors during the company’s third-quarter earnings call that the first two aircraft were still being converted. The work includes coordinating service bulletins with manufacturer support partners, with later modifications expected to take approximately two to three weeks per aircraft. Most of the work is being performed at SkyWest’s Tucson, Arizona, maintenance base. The program is expected to expand substantially after the initial aircraft enter service. SkyWest anticipates converting approximately 50 CRJ200s into CRJ450s by 2028 and has a multi-year agreement with United to operate 40. The regional carrier also sees potential to retrofit additional aircraft used in its own prorate operations, with the broader opportunity potentially reaching 100 conversions. These figures describe different parts of SkyWest’s plans, rather than a confirmed United fleet commitment for 100 aircraft. Smaller Communities Could Benefit From The New Aircraft Credit: Channing Reid I Simple Flying United says the CRJ450 will primarily connect smaller cities with its hubs in Chicago and Denver. The aircraft’s reduced seating capacity gives the airline another way to offer first-class service in markets where demand may not justify a larger regional jet. It also provides more flexibility under the scope restrictions governing the number and size of regional aircraft that major US airlines can operate through their partners. Lafayette, Indiana, could be an interesting example of the type of community that might benefit. Purdue University’s home airport has historically relied on limited regional service, and a smaller aircraft could make premium seating available on routes that would be difficult to support with a larger jet. However, United has not identified Lafayette as a planned destination, and the aircraft’s eventual assignments will depend on the airline’s network and commercial decisions. The CRJ450 also follows the strategy behind United’s CRJ550, which uses a modified CRJ700 airframe with fewer seats and a more premium cabin. The newer -450 applies a similar concept to the smaller CRJ200. For SkyWest, converting existing aircraft offers a way to extend the usefulness of its regional fleet while giving United another option for serving smaller markets. The first aircraft’s December debut will therefore mark more than a cabin refresh. It will test whether United can make older 50-seat regional jets more commercially attractive by selling a better onboard experience, even with fewer seats available. If the initial conversions perform as intended, the CRJ450 could become a more common sight on United Express routes connecting smaller communities with Chicago and Denver over the next two years.