germanblonde

I need a to fly on one of these two planes. Which aircraft has a more comfortable ride? I have never been in small planes like these. Is there a significant difference between the two? Thanks for any advise.

rkkwan

Dash 8 is a large turboprop that seats around 50. It has wings over the fuselage, and you can see the propellers in flight. Seating is 2+2. Relatively noisy.

CRJ is a region jet with low-mounted wings, and engines in the back. Seating is also 2+2. Seats between ~35 to 70, depending on model. Because the engines are attached to the fuselage at the back, noise level is less closer to the front.

The most significant difference is range and speed. The RJ can fly half-way across the US, at speed pretty much the same as a large jet. A Dash-8 is about 40% slower, with a much more limited range.

rkkwan

Oh, forgot to say, the RJ also flies higher than the turbo-prop, so they are less susceptible to weather and turbulence enroute.

Cassandra

In this case, "comfortable" is definitely a relative term, because neither is all that comfortable. Even with the CRJ, if you are in a window seat, your feet may be cramped because of the curve of the fuselage, and even in smooth air, they tend to "swim" a little because of their size. But the Dash 8 is in the tradition of the bush-plane puddle-jumper, and I swear you can see the wings flap. Unless you want a feeling of adventure, stick with the CRJ.

By the way, be aware that both will require "gate-check" of carryon luggage. In other words, except for small items like a woman's handbag, you will be required to hand over your carryon luggage (rollaboards, etc.) at the gate, because the on-board storage is so limited.

rkkwan

It's common to see the airplane wings flapping. In turbulence, you can see a 747's wing go up and down in FEET.

Because the wings are above you in a Dash 8, and because you don't fly that high, you can get a good view of the ground you're passing from a window seat. No wings to block that view from you.

Both the Dash 8 and the CRJ are made by Bombardier of Canada. I THINK they have the same fuselage cross-section, so legroom and seat width, etc, are basically the same.

If you've never flown in a turboprop, you may want to know that it's normal to hear different sounds coming from the engine/propeller in flight. Thrust is controlled by the pitch/angle of the blades, and when that's being changed, you hear different frequencies. Nothing's wrong. You usually don't hear that, or much less often and less apparent, in a turbofan (i.e. "jet") aircraft.

Cassandra

Of course wings move somewhat to accommodate wind pressure -- they'd have to or break off. What I meant was, somewhat exaggerating, on a Dash8 you can almost see them flap like a bird's wings ;-) !

Randyforgt

RKK...The Dash8 seats 37...the older Dash7 seats 50...just an FYI....

rkkwan

Actually, the Dash 8 has several sizes, just like the CRJ. Of the current Dash 8 models offered by Bombardier, the Q200 sits 37, the Q300 sits 50, and the Q400 sits 70.

Don't know any N. American carriers use the 70-seater, but both 37 and 50-seat versions were pretty common.

Randyforgt

Is Horizon air the only US operator of the larger Dash* versions?