Been hearing rumors that this was in the works for awhile, but the airline put out a press release with the details. US Airways Express Embraer 170s and 175s and Bombardier CRJ-700s and 900s will get a first class section, with the work to be complete by January. Of course, this means that there will be fewer seats overall of these aircraft:
CRJ-700: Previously 70 coach seats, to be 9 first class and 58 coach
CRJ-900: previously 86 coach seats, to be 9 first class and 70 coach
EMB-170: Previously 76 coach seats, to be 9 first class and 60 coach
EMB-175: Previously 86 coach seats, to be 8 first class and 72 coach
The move effects just over a quarter of US Airways flights out CLT. Its 50-seat regional jets and turboprop flights will still be all coach.
Bonus observation: US Airways is far from an innovator here — Delta, United, and American Airlines all already offer first class on their larger regional jets. Continental’s scope clause don’t allow outsourced regional jets seating over 50.