on 8 september 1998, bombardier launched the "brj-x", or "bombardier regional jet expansion", a larger regional jet than the canadair regional jet due to enter service in 2003. instead of 2–2 seating, the brj-x was to have a wider fuselage with 2–3 seating for 85 to 110 passengers, and underwing engine pods. it was abutting the smallest narrow-body jetliners, like the 2–3 dc-9/md-80/boeing 717 or the 3–3 a318 and 737-500/737-600. at the end of 2000, the project was shelved by bombardier in favour of stretching the crj700 into the crj900.