United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz met with a group of Northwest Arkansas business leaders on Wednesday, answering their questions about the airline and touting the company’s new Bombardier CRJ-550.
The CJR-550 is the world’s only 50-seat regional jet to offer first-class seating and other amenities such as a self-serve refreshment center for United’s first-class passengers.
The CRJ-550’s frame is the same size as the CRJ-700 but doesn’t include the usual 70 seats. With fewer seats, the plane allows United to include first-class seating, the refreshment center and additional storage areas.
The CJR-550 was scheduled to fly to 15 airports from Chicago O’Hare when it was introduced on Oct. 27, including the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport. Munoz said the airline plans to expand its use to other airports in 2020.
United has increased its XNA service over several years with nonstop flights to Chicago, Denver, Houston, Newark and San Francisco.
As of this month, United is provided 33% more service to those airports than it did a year ago with the most significant increases in Chicago, Denver and Houston.
