United says its first CRJ450 is on track to start carrying passengers by the end of 2026, and that it will debut at Chicago O'Hare. The CRJ450 is a reworked CRJ200 that SkyWest Airlines will fly for United Express. It trades the CRJ200's 50 economy seats for 41 seats in two classes, including seven in United First.
What the CRJ450 Is
United unveiled the CRJ450 in its March 24, 2026 fleet announcement. United describes it as a reimagined and redesigned CRJ200, operated by SkyWest, that connects smaller cities to its Chicago and Denver hubs. United calls it the first regional aircraft of its kind, built to feel like a private jet in United First.
Here's how the 41 seats break down: 7 in United First, 16 extra-legroom economy and 18 standard economy.
The cabin also changes in ways you'll notice:
- Luggage closet: United First has no overhead bins. A large closet holds carry-on bags instead, which United says is a first for a U.S. airline.
- Economy bins: the overhead bins are large enough for rollaboard bags, which United calls uncommon on regional jets this size.
- Wi-Fi: every passenger can use free Starlink Wi-Fi if they're a MileagePlus member. For more on Starlink at United, see our coverage of United Adds Spotify Logins to Starlink Seatback Screens, Reaching Half Its Fleet by Next Spring.
When It Starts and Where
United's chief commercial officer, Andrew Nocella, said the first CRJ450 is on track to begin carrying passengers by the end of the year, and that it will debut at O'Hare. He didn't say which routes it will fly, so don't count on seeing a CRJ450 on a particular flight yet.
How Fast More Will Follow
SkyWest will operate the first 40 CRJ450s for United Express. SkyWest's president said at the end of October that the first two aircraft were still being converted, and that later conversions will take two to three weeks. In March, United said it expects more than 50 CRJ450s in service by 2028.
How It Compares With the CRJ550
The CRJ450 joins the CRJ550, a premium 50-seat version of the CRJ700 that United began flying in 2019. The CRJ450 applies the same idea to the smaller CRJ200. It's also part of a broader premium push at United. See our coverage of United's first A321neo Coastliner for the mainline side of it.
Who This Matters To
If you fly United Express from a smaller city to Chicago or Denver, the CRJ450 may eventually put a first-class seat and a roomier cabin on your route. The trade-off is fewer seats: a route that moves from a CRJ200 to a CRJ450 goes from 50 seats to 41. If you mostly fly mainline jets, nothing changes for you.
