The Chicago Tribune published an article Thursday detailing a current trend that has taken hold at Chicago O’Hare International Airport: increased usage of smaller regional jets as a substitute for larger Airbus or Boeing jets for relatively shorter journeys.

At present, the Tribune article reported that United and American Airlines are reportedly operating two regional jet flights for every larger plane flight.  According to data cited by the Tribune, this represents a reversal in strategy for these carriers.  Ten years ago, American reportedly flew two large jets for every regional jet they operated.

The reported reason for this shift is the effect on the bottom line; the smaller planes are cheaper to operate.

According to aviation consultants, the increased use of the regional jets is not likely to reverse because the smaller planes are more economical on short journeys than the far larger Boeing 737s, Airbus A320s and MD-80s.

Travelers and the city of Chicago both reportedly appear to be harmed by the trend.  The Tribune quoted one “longtime United customer” Richard Fennessey, "The bottom line is that the regional jets are just not as comfortable.”  The cabins of the regional jets offer less room for carry-on luggage and for passengers.  Further, the crews of regional jets often are not employees of the larger carrier, a concern for regulators as well.

Chicago’s take on the landing fees at O’Hare are less for regional jets, which are reportedly correlated with a plane’s weight. 
Following the crash of the regional Continental airlines Colgan jet near Buffalo, New York, last year, the NTSB called for a study of regional airlines when it recently released its finding of probable cause of that crash.