Inside Bombardier's 'giant gamble'

After flying multiple legs on the E-175, I've found it to be the most comfortable single aisle aircraft of anything else outside of a 57. If given the choice I'd pick the 175 over the 37-700,800,900 and A319,20. So yes huge challenge ahead for any new CRJ

They have a LOT of competition to wade through.

I have been on Air Canada's E-175 (or E-190?) once. The seats that AC use are so uncomfortable, small, hard, and short. And the baggage bins are way too small. Even now, year later, I still cringe and try to avoid flight legs with Embraer regional jets on any company. That being said, these C-Series are expensive, but they have features of a real 21st-century plane. I also like the A340, B777-300ER (love it), ... When you trust German and Swiss quality, having Swiss on board is a welcoming sign of confidence.

The plane has come out so many years after the similar Embraer model that it was going to be a struggle from day one. I personally would want to go Bombardier. But, they are going to have to fight to make this happen.