ATR, a Franco-Italian aircraft manufacturer, has unveiled a new three-class cabin design for the ATR 72-600, a turboprop aircraft commonly used by regional airlines in the United States. This project aims to modernize the aging fleet of regional jets by offering a more versatile aircraft that can accommodate different classes of passengers. The cabin was presented this week in Washington at the Regional Airline Association (RAA) conference, and includes 10 first-class seats, 20 premium economy seats, and 20 economy seats. The spacing between rows, known as the "pitch," is 40 inches for first class, 33 inches for premium economy, and 30 inches for economy. ATR has announced a standard seat width of 18 inches (approximately 46 cm) but has not specified the exact width for each class. This 50-seat configuration is part of ATR’s HighLine premium cabin offering. A key feature of the new design is the forward passenger door, which would allow the ATR 72-600 to connect to jet bridges at American airports. This is a significant change, as turboprops like the ATR 72-600 typically board passengers from the rear. The forward door would also align with the boarding practices of many airlines, particularly for first-class passengers. The cabin design also includes a forward office area dedicated to first-class service, and space for 54 carry-on bags, with 30 in overhead bins and 24 at floor level. According to ATR, the central aisle would be about five centimeters wider than that of a CRJ550, and the cabin height would be approximately 2.5 centimeters higher. ATR is aiming to provide American regional carriers with a 50-seat turboprop that can offer a multi-class experience on routes to smaller towns. The company cites the CRJ450 and CRJ550, which are regional jets produced by Bombardier, as potential competitors. The 50-seat capacity is also intended to comply with the contractual agreements that govern regional air operations in the United States. However, the project is still in the early stages of commercial evaluation. "We are currently testing it with the market. We will not launch it simply to launch it," said Chris Jones, ATR director for the Americas, in July to Aviation Week. The company has collaborated with American airlines to design the cabin, and the decision to launch the aircraft will depend on the interest of operators. While ATR mentions 2030 as a possible timeline, it is not a confirmed delivery date. Alexis Vidal, ATR’s commercial director, noted during the RAA conference in Washington that the company believes market demand will be strong enough by that year. The three-class concept would initially be applied to the current ATR 72-600, with potential future improvements for a next-generation model.