Malaysia’s Berjaya Air has taken delivery of the first ATR 72-600 configured with ATR’s new HighLine premium cabin concept, becoming the launch operator of the all-business-class regional turboprop.
The aircraft arrived in Kuala Lumpur this week and is expected to enter commercial service in the coming days on flights between Subang Airport and Koh Samui, Thailand.
Configured with 26 seats in a 1-1 layout, the aircraft offers direct aisle access for every passenger. ATR said the cabin received certification earlier this month from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Malaysian authorities.
The new interior removes traditional overhead bins in favor of side storage and redesigned ceiling panels intended to create a more spacious cabin environment. The aircraft is fitted with ETEREA business-class seats produced by Italian manufacturer Geven.
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Berjaya Air said the ATR 72-600 will be used on routes linking Malaysia with destinations in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, alongside charter flights aimed at resort and leisure markets in the region.
The carrier currently operates a small fleet centered on regional tourism services and plans to add a second ATR 72-600 in the same configuration later this year.
The HighLine configuration is ATR’s attempt to open space for premium regional operations using turboprops, including corporate shuttle services, luxury tourism routes and private charter missions that do not require larger business jets or narrowbody aircraft.
According to ATR, more than 1,800 aircraft from the ATR turboprop family have been delivered since the program entered service in the 1980s. The ATR 72 remains the only regional turboprop in continuous production after De Havilland Canada ended Dash 8 manufacturing.
Competition in the segment could increase later this decade, however, as Germany’s Deutsche Aircraft prepares to introduce the D328eco, a 40-seat turboprop derived from the Dornier 328 that is expected to compete with the smaller ATR 42.
