GoJet Airlines (G7, St. Louis Lambert International) has taken delivery of the first CRJ550, a converted version of the CRJ700, on August 7, 2019, and has already begun crew familiarisation flights ahead of the launch of operations for United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare), ch-aviation research has revealed.
N504GJ (msn 10022) was ferried from Montréal Trudeau to Chicago O'Hare on August 7 under GoJet's code. On August 9, the airline operated its first technical flight to St. Louis Lambert International, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. Social media photos confirm that the aircraft is already reconfigured and repainted into United's new livery.
The aircraft is a 17.6-year-old unit owned by SkyWest Airlines (OO, Salt Lake City). Prior to conversion to the CRJ550, it was operated by ExpressJet Airlines (Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson) on behalf of American Airlines (AA, Dallas/Fort Worth). It was retired from active service in November 2018 and spent the winter season grounded at Tucson International prior to a ferry flight first to Amarillo Rick Husband International and St. Louis Lambert Int'l and then to Montreal for conversion in July 2019.
As of April 30, 2019, the Bombardier Aerospace regional jet has accumulated 39,585 flight hours and 30,152 flight cycles throughout its life.
According to United, after the reconfiguration, the aircraft will be equipped with 50 seats, 15 less than previously, including ten in business class, 20 in premium, and 20 in economy.
United will add at least fifty CRJ550s, all converted from CRJ700s. The first twenty-five units are due for delivery in 2019 with the remainder due the next year. All fifty will be operated by GoJet Airlines under a ten-year contract. No other carrier has so far committed to the CRJ550.
GoJet Airlines already operates twenty-five CRJ700s on behalf of United, the ch-aviation fleets module shows.
