Thanks for the reply. However I find it hard to believe that regionals would have a higher cost per mile- don't the airline save millions on crew costs, operating costs (fuel, landing fee, handlers etc etc.)
The frequency argument makes perfect sense but I have not really seen airlines market a business class product in the regional jets. Very select airlines even have a separate business section on the regional jets.
I liked how you put it ,"forward thinking full service airlines"- which ones would you rate in this category?
Lastly how does the safety record of regional jets match to those of wide-bodies, considering that one has much younger, less experienced pilots flying these.