Aircraft manufacturer ATR is currently conducting market assessments for a series of key modifications to the ATR 72-600. The proposed upgrades include a forward passenger door, a 50-seat three-class cabin layout, and specific US regulatory adaptations.
Cabin Adaptation and New Forward Door for Jetway Connectivity
A fundamental feature identified by ATR through operator feedback in the United States is the addition of a forward passenger door.
Speaking to Air Transport World (ATW) during the Farnborough Airshow, Chris Jones, Head of ATR Americas, explained that a forward door will enable the ATR 72 to connect directly to jetways at US airports. This capability will ensure product consistency for mainline carriers across their feeder networks.
As part of this commercial initiative, ATR is proposing a 50-seat, three-class cabin configuration for the ATR 72-600:
- First Class
- Premium Economy
- Economy Class
- Forward Galley: Designed to support First Class catering service.
This layout allows network carriers to extend their premium product offerings into smaller communities served by regional partners, ensuring passengers experience an uncompromised standard of comfort when transferring to feeder aircraft.
Direct Competition with CRJ Jets and Scope Clause Compliance
The 50-seat cabin proposal positions the ATR 72-600 as a direct competitor to MHI RJ Aviation aircraft—specifically the CRJ450 (a 41-seat, three-class variant based on the CRJ200) and the CRJ550 (a 50-seat, three-class variant based on the Bombardier/MHI CRJ700).
According to Jones, the design complies with current scope clause limitations across the US airline industry while outperforming regional jets “on every metric.”
Operating Cost Reductions
Projections presented by the executive indicate significant direct operating cost advantages compared to regional jet models:
- 30% lower operating cost compared to the CRJ450.
- 45% lower operating cost compared to the CRJ550.
The company further noted that the forward door offers operational flexibility and is not strictly tied to the three-class layout, as this interior can also be implemented with the traditional aft passenger door. However, to compete effectively against the CRJ450 and CRJ550, pairing the forward door with the three-class configuration represents the optimal strategic offering.
Mandatory Regulatory Compliance for US Operations
For new aircraft to operate under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) commercial regulations, ATR is actively integrating two mandatory technical requirements:
- Secondary Cockpit Barrier: Designed to secure the flight deck door during flight.
- 25-Hour Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR): Meeting updated FAA mandate standards.
Because these regulations apply to newly manufactured commercial passenger aircraft in the US, ATR does not currently have active in-service aircraft featuring the secondary barrier installed. Meanwhile, US operator JSX is currently flying four ATR 42-600 turboprops under Part 135 regulations. While Part 135 rules do not strictly mandate secondary cockpit barriers, JSX Chief Executive Alex Wilcox has elected to implement security standards that exceed baseline regulatory requirements.
Next Steps
ATR will transport a full-scale mock-up of the new three-class cabin from its headquarters in Toulouse, France, to display at the upcoming Regional Airline Association (RAA) annual convention in September.
The airframe manufacturer emphasized that the project remains in the market-testing stage, with an official program launch contingent upon firm interest driven by actual demand from US customers.
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