CRJ 900 flight crew reported the left windshield shattered during cruise flight. Flight crew continued to destination and landed without incident.
Synopsis
CRJ 900 flight crew reported the left windshield shattered during cruise flight. Flight crew continued to destination and landed without incident.
Narrative
I was the Captain on Aircraft X From ZZZ1 to ZZZ. First Officer was the pilot flying. We were flying a CRJ900. It started off as a routine flight operating to ZZZ. We pushed back and got deiced before departing from runway XXR in ZZZ1. We flew on course and up to our cruising altitude of FL350. Somewhere around FL340 the First Officer heard what sounded like two popping noises and then the Captains side windshield shattered. I immediately called ATC and advised them of the situation and that we would like a descent immediately. We got a left windshield heat caution message to which we ran the QRH and then followed with the window shatter or crack checklist to which we complied with. I spoke with our dispatch to which we ultimately decided to continue to ZZZ. Air traffic control [gave us priority] and we landed on runway XY and taxied to the gate without incident. Emergency equipment were standing by and we were met with personnel at the gate. The aircraft was handed over to maintenance and the first officer and myself went to our hotel.
Second reporter narrative
Aircraft X from ZZZ1 to ZZZ. In cruise flight at FL340 around XA30 while setting up for our arrival into ZZZ and receiving delay vectors and changes in speed for spacing; the Captain and I hear two thuds and pause to figure out what was the cause of the sound. Within seconds we both see the left windshield shattered and immediately got two caution messages; L Windsheat Heat and L window heat; we ran the QRH for the two cautions and then ran the procedure for shattered window. We advised ATC that we needed an immediate descent and to decrease our airspeed. We ran the procedures; informed ATC Dispatch and the flight attendants of the issue; and monitored cabin pressure and oxygen levels to make sure cabin was holding pressure. Once handed to ZZZ Approach we advised them of the situation; requesting priority vectors and that we would need to decrease airspeed as we descend; we also informed them we were not declaring an emergency. ATC responded saying they were [giving us priority] due to the request for priority and slower speed. ATC then gave us priority vectors in for the approach and we landed the aircraft safely. Once at the gate we spoke with maintenance; gave authorities our contact information; and then discussed the next procedures with management. The Captain and I both didn't feel immediately ready to jump into another flight and rush our procedures so we asked to be removed from our next flight and resume our trip the following day. Cause: Wear and tear.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.