Malaysian airline Berjaya Air has received the first ATR 72-600 equipped with the new premium HighLine cabin, a configuration aimed exclusively at business-class passengers.
The aircraft, registered as 9M-BJA, was delivered on May 19 and marks the debut of a more sophisticated proposal for regional flights. ATR also released a video on social media showing the aircraft, with emphasis on the premium interior and the new cabin configuration.
ATR’s idea with the HighLine range is to occupy a space between traditional commercial aviation and business jets. In practice, the proposal is to offer a more private, comfortable and exclusive experience while using the operational structure of a regional turboprop aircraft.
Berjaya Air’s ATR 72-600 received a cabin with just 26 seats, all in a 1-1 configuration. To increase the feeling of space on board, the overhead baggage compartments above the passengers were removed. As a result, carry-on luggage will be stored in a separate compartment at the front of the aircraft.
The seats used in the project were produced by the Italian company Geven, which specializes in aircraft interiors.
Berjaya Air intends to use the new ATR 72-600 aircraft mainly to transport passengers to luxury resorts in Malaysia. The focus is on customers arriving in the country on long-haul international flights via Kuala Lumpur who want to maintain a premium experience on the regional leg to their final destination.
In addition to routes aimed at high-end tourism, the aircraft may also be used for charter flights.
For ATR, the HighLine project is strategic. The manufacturer is seeking to expand its presence in the premium regional transport segment and is betting on the advantages of turboprop aircraft compared with regional jets, such as lower fuel consumption and the ability to operate at airports with shorter runways, including island destinations.
The expectation is that aircraft with a similar configuration will attract other operators linked to luxury tourism, especially in regions where access to resorts, islands and remote destinations depends on smaller, efficient aircraft with a good level of comfort.
Source and images: ATR. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
