Peoria Station

Wednesday, July 5, is the last full day for Embraer 175s on the Dallas/Ft. Worth-Peoria route. On Thursday, save for the morning departure, PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-900s takeover. Seating capacity is the same (76 seats), but variety will be less. CAPTION: Mid-afternoon at the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport, July 4, 2023. An Envoy Airlines dba American Eagle Embraer 175, operating Flt. # 3599 from Dallas/Ft. Worth, followed by a PSA Airlines Canadair CRJ-900, operating Flt. # 5187 from Charlotte, arrived Runway 13 at 1447 and 1519 hours, respectively. Later, the E-Jet departs 13 at 1530 hours as Flt. # 3599 for Dallas/Ft. Worth. - David P. Jordan

An American Eagle Embraer 175LR on final to Chicago-O'Hare June 29, 2019. Envoy Airlines dba American Eagle has been operating these between Peoria and Dallas/Ft. Worth for about a month.  American Eagle has changed equipment on two of its three Peoria routes.  Since at least late-summer 2022, PSA Airlines dba American Eagle has been using 76-seat CRJ900s on its twice-daily Peoria-Charlotte nonstops. This is an upgrade from the 65/67-seat CRJ700s which have been normally used on this route since February 2019. It appears that the smaller equipment returns on March 26.  Since at least January 10, Envoy Airlines dba American Eagle has been operating a 76-seat Embraer 175 on the Peoria to Dallas/Fort Worth route's evening arrival/morning departure. On occasion, the slightly smaller Embraer 170 has been substituted. Mesa Airlines continues to operate the 76-seat CRJ900 on the afternoon turnaround.  Unlike the Charlotte flights, use by Envoy Airlines of its 175s will like...

This blog reported the story on October 29; Peoria's newspaper of record reported it November 9. Better late than never, I guess. Friday evening, the Peoria Journal Star posted this story on American Eagle's plan to upgauge to larger aircraft on its daily nonstops to American Airlines' Charlotte hub. While there is nothing new in the article, the writer managed to bungle one fact: The three daily flights operated by American Airlines affiliates... American Eagle operates two daily flights (roundtrips, actually) between Peoria and Charlotte. - David P. Jordan

Peoria's twice-daily Charlotte nonstops are getting bigger planes next year. Thanks to a tip from a commenter, I searched American Airlines' website and found that both roundtrips are being upgauge from 50-seat CRJ200s to 63- to 65-seat CRJ700s beginning February 14, 2019.  It is possible that the additional capacity was already planned as smaller regional jets are phased out, but competition might be another reason. Delta Air Lines schedules show 76-seat CRJ900s operating some Peoria-Atlanta roundtrips in November. I expect bigger jets on that route to compensate for the loss of Detroit flights late that month.  Whether due to competitive pressures or a scheduled phase-out of the older, smaller jets, any upgauge is good news for Peoria travelers.  PHOTO COPYRIGHT 2017 by David P. Jordan  - An American Eagle CRJ700 is shown July 29, 2017 on final approach to Chicago-O'Hare International Airport.   - David P. Jordan