Anyone familiar with ExpressJet?

[GetawaysRus]

I'm working on air reservations for a summer vacation week. One of the airlines I found (via a search on SideStep) is ExpressJet. This appears to be a smaller, regional carrier. The plane on the route that interests me is an Embraer RJ 135/145. This appears to be a small (50 passenger) regional jet.

I'm unfamilar with ExpressJet, and also am unfamiliar with this type of plane.

Anyone with experience (favorable or unfavorable) on ExpressJet? Anyone who can comment about the comfort and safety of this type of plane?

 

[Dave M]

ExpressJet serves as a regional carrier for Continental Airlines. Thus, its primary hubs are in Houston, Cleveland and Newark. If you make a reservation, it's likely to show as a Continental reservation.

The RJ135 and 145 are planes commonly used these days by numerous airlines (including Continental, American and United) on routes that might not justify a larger plane such as an A319/320 or a B737. I probably take 10-15 flights a year on these planes. I was on one yesterday afternoon (United) from Chicago to St. Louis.

 

[discodan]

ExpressJet Airlines Begins Flying Under Its Own Banner

ExpressJet Airlines announced flight service to 24 cities across the U.S. West Coast, Southwest and Midwest regions beginning in April 2007. See press release: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/preview/phoenix.zhtml?c=130007&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=958187&highlight= and their website: http://xjet.com/ DAN

 

[johnmfaeth]

Can't speak for ExpressJet but the Embraer's are great airplanes. Regional jets have great safety records overall. Their popularity started in earnest about 15 years ago (more or less) with Air Canada using regional jets while US airlines continued with fuel guzzling, slower turboprops. Now the US airlines are pretty much converting 100%. Don't worry, the engines look small but like all twin engine jets, they can hold altitude and land safely on just one engine.

Because of their size, you will feel slightly more "thrill", particularly when first starting to descend. When the engines throtle backa nd the spoilers are engaged, they feel like they are "dropping" to quick. They do have a steeper descent angle than conventional big jets. But that is how they are designed.