Mitsubishi Regional Jet / SpaceJet
After the launch in 2007 as the Mitsubishi Regional Jet and the first flight in 2015, Mitsubishi tried hard to get its regional jet certified, but failed. Even a re-branding as SpaceJet did not help. In February 2023 the company cancelled the SpaceJet programme.
The aircraft's appearance is very, very conventional with low mounted wings, jet engines underneath them and a low vertical stabiliser with dorsal fin. The most typical aspects are in the details. Especially the very pointed nose, with the tip at the same level as the bottom of the fuselage, is a recognition point. Furthermore, the MRJ/SpaceJet has canted winglets, attached at an angle of about sixty degrees compared to the wings.
Header photo by Grasshopper2015 via WikiMedia.
The most typical characteristic of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet is its nose: very pointed with the tip near the level of the underside of the fuselage.
The MRJ or SpaceJet has canted winglets, but the angle is quite small compared to the Embraer E-Jets and Airbus A220. (photo: Grasshopper2015/WikiMedia)
Confusion possible with
Embraer E-Jet family
This aircraft family, especially the longer Embraer 190/195, is very similar in appearance to the MRJ. The best you look at the nose and the cockpit windows. The nose is less sharply pointed than the Mitsubishi, but this is quite subtle. Moreover, the E2 variants have no winglets.
Sukhoi Super Jet
The Sukhoi Super Jet 100 has a similar size as the SpaceJet. However, it can easily be recognised by the engines with a single exhaust. Also the SSJ lacks a triangular dorsal fin and has six cockpit windows instead of four.
Airbus A220
Formerly known as the Bombardier CSeries the Airbus A220 has the same basic configuration as the Mitsubushi Regional Jet. The A220 has a wider fuselage though, and a flat tail cone. The canted winglets are attached at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the wings.