The CRJ-700
History (source: wikipedia)
Design work on the CRJ700 by Bombardier started in 1995 and the programme was officially launched in January 1997.[5] The CRJ700 is a stretched 70-seat derivative of the CRJ200. Seating ranges from 66 to 78 for the CRJ700 versions, however. The CRJ700 features a new wing with leading edge slats and a stretched and slightly widened fuselage, with a lowered floor.

The early build aircraft were equipped with two General Electric CF34-8C1 engines. However, later build aircraft are now equipped standard with the -8C5 model, which is essentially an uprated 8C1. Most airlines have replaced the older engines with the newer model, while a few have kept the older -8C1 in their fleet. Maximum speed is Mach 0.85 (895 km/hr, 556 mi/hr) at a maximum altitude of 12,500 m (41,000 ft). Depending upon payload, the CRJ700 can travel up to 3,620 km (2,250 mi) with original engines, and a new variant with CF34-8C5 engines will be able to travel up to 4,660 km (2,900 mi).


United Express CRJ700 operated by GoJet at O'Hare International Airport
The CRJ700 comes in three versions: Series 700, Series 701, and Series 702. The 700 is limited to 68 passengers, the 701 to 70 passengers, and the 702 to 78 passengers. The CRJ700 also has three fuel/weight options: standard, ER, and LR. The ER version has an increase in fuel capacity as well as maximum weight, which in turn increases the range. The LR increases those values further. The executive version is marketed as the Challenger 870.

Its first flight took place on 27 May 1999.[5] The aircraft's FAA Type Certificate designation is the CL-600-2C10.[6] The CRJ700 first entered commercial service with Brit Air in 2001.[5] The CRJ700 directly competes with the Embraer 170, which typically seats 70 passengers.[citation needed]

In 2006, the CRJ700 was featured in Microsoft Flight Simulator X as one of the demo aircraft.[citation needed]

In 2008, the CRJ700 was replaced with the CRJ700 NextGen, featuring improved economics and a revised cabin common to the CRJ900 NextGen and CRJ1000 NextGen. In January 2011 SkyWest Airlines ordered four CRJ700 NextGen aircraft.[7]