Originally Posted by tpersuit

There not really fuel inefficient as you think. If the market can only sustain 50 seaters than none of the 70 seater jets would be more fuel efficient. As for Prop planes flying the routes, they are only more efficient on shorter routes. Anything over 300-500NM range would make the 50 seater jet more efficient.

Do the math, our 145XR's burn 2500 gal/hr at FL370 and cruise at a TAS of 460. We would get to our destination in a fraction of the time of a Prop flying at FL250 and burning 2400 gal/hr. We would actually be more fuel efficient.