Photo: ATR
Aircraft manufacturer, ATR, has revealed the advanced detailed design of its HighLine All-Business Class configuration at Aircraft Interiors Exhibition, of high-end cabin configurations.
The advanced All-Business Class configuration will have a 1:1 layout that gives the passenger direct aisle access and a window view. It will have individual business seats, with side consoles and stowage, with the option of an executive ceiling through the removal of overhead bins. It will also offer USB A+C charging ports, in-flight entertainment, high-speed internet access and high-quality material finishes.
“The idea is that you can customise essentially everything in the cabin,” ATR’s Business Development Manager, Louis Barral, told LARA. This includes options from the carpet, curtains, non-textile floor, emergency flight path marketing, and laminate.
Designed exclusively for the ATR, Geven has been selected as the seating supplier for this configuration with its new seat, ETEREA. The seat will be available for linefit and retrofit on the ATR, with fixation on standard seat rails. With extra-large width at 21.6 inches, and a recline of 7 inches, Barral said that the seat is “wider than [ATR] expected” and “far better” than the original concept.
The seat is subject to customisation, and will be shown to its launch customer, Berjaya Air, ahead of its official delivery in 2025. Barral told LARA that the cabin configuration is “well on track for delivery and the timeline is well mastered” with a mockup due to be revealed later in the year. The modification on Berjaya Air’s aircraft will be executed through a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC).
Redefining luxury travel
The All-Business Class configuration is anticipated to redefine semi-private travel experiences, used by hotels or resorts, as well as corporate and charter travel. Its launch customer, Berjaya Air, is expected to take delivery of two brand-new ATR 72-600s in 2025 and 2026 with this new configuration to serve its luxury hotels and resorts.
Commenting on the launch customer’s 2025 delivery dates to LARA, Barral said: “We’re proud that they [Berjaya Air] will make this concept a reality. We expect that, next year, with this HighLine aircraft, the brand will become even more famous and concrete, and we expect to have more interest in this one [configuration].” Barral added that there was already interest from other hotels and resorts both in Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
The All-Business Class is one of five configurations in ATR’s HighLine collection, and the first to be given an official launch customer and launch date. The others, Multi-Class, Premium-Flex, Multi-Selection, and Bespoke VIP are still under conceptual design review, confirmed ATR.
“This new luxury shuttle configuration will redefine corporate and semi-private travels with an elevated guest experience without compromising on sustainability. The ATR HighLine cabin collection is designed to offer unparalleled comfort, luxury and convenience whilst benefitting from the remarkable fuel efficiency of the turboprop technology” added Zuzana Hrnkova.
Emitting 45 percent less CO2 than similar-sized jets, ATR Highline-equipped aircraft are set to disrupt the regional travel industry from within, providing operators with a more sustainable alternative to business jets, and accelerate the decarbonisation of regional air mobility.