CRJ100

The Bombardier CRJ100 is a foundational regional jet, derived from the Challenger 600 business jet. Its development started in early 1989, and the first prototype took its maiden flight on May 10, 1991. Lufthansa CityLine introduced the 50-seat aircraft into commercial service in October 1992. The CRJ100, along with its successor the CRJ200, was manufactured until 2006, successfully revolutionizing regional transportation and paving the way for the larger CRJ700, CRJ900, and CRJ1000 models.

Bombardier’s origins trace back to Joseph-Armand Bombardier, who built his first “snow vehicle” in 1922 to address the challenges of travel across rural Québec. The company diversified significantly, securing its first mass transit contract in 1974. By the 1980s, major rail contracts positioned Bombardier as a North American leader in rail transit. The launch of the Canadair Regional Jet program marked a foundational moment for the company’s aerospace division.