Changes coming to airport

3 years ago

United Airlines began service to the Presque Isle International Airport (PQI) in July of 2018.  Since the beginning CommutAir has been the operator of that service.  In addition, the aircraft used has been the 50-seat ERJ-145.  Starting on October 31st, both the operator and the aircraft used will be changing.

The new aircraft will be the larger CRJ-550.  According to United’s website, “Passengers will enjoy cabin features that include a true first-class experience, ample storage for each passenger’s roller bag, more overall leg room per seat than any other 50-seat aircraft and inflight Wi-Fi.”  For the first time since 1978, Presque Isle passengers will have the option to book up to 10 first-class service seats for flights in and out of this airport.  In addition, you will no longer have to gate check your carry-on size roller bag.  If it meets the standard carry-on size requirements for United, you will be able to place it in the larger overhead bins.  

In addition to first class, PQI passengers will have two other classes of seating with 20 seats for each class.  These include United Economy Plus and United Economy.  Each class of service offers different seating sizes with something for everyone depending on your preferences. For example, the first-class seat is almost 3 inches wider with a full 42 inches of leg room.  Lastly, with Wi-Fi available on board, you will be able to stay fully connected to your business associates, family and friends.  That’s not all — the new aircraft was designed and built by Bombardier right in the province of Quebec, Canada. Since it was built by a Canadian manufacturer, you know the aircraft was designed with winter operations in mind.

Along with a new aircraft, United has selected a new operator for our route: GoJet.  According to GoJet’s website, “GoJet Airlines launched commercial service in 2005 and was selected in 2019 to be the only operator of the revolutionary Bombardier CRJ-550 aircraft. They have an amazing team of 1,100 employees who serviced over 1 million passengers last year and are currently providing more than 160 daily flights to over 50 destinations.”  

One of those destinations is Bangor International.

Headquartered in St. Louis, the company has crew bases in St. Louis, Chicago and Newark. They have maintenance facilities in St. Louis, Chicago, Richmond, Newark and Richmond, Virginia.  

For more information on the CRJ-550, you should visit www.United.com.   

Scott Wardwell is airport director for Presque Isle International Airport. He can be reached at 764-2550 or via email at scottw@flypresqueisle.com.