I Accidentally Chartered Berjaya Air’s All-First Class ATR 72!

• Airline: Berjaya Air
• Class: Business
• Route: Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to Redang (RDN)
• Aircraft: ATR 72-400

What happens when you innocently book a $400 ticket on a brand-new airline product, only to find out you’ve accidentally chartered the entire plane?

I recently headed to Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, to experience a true world first: Berjaya Air’s all-First Class/Business Class configured ATR 72. While variations of luxury narrowbodies exist, an all-premium ATR is something the aviation industry hasn’t really seen before.

The parent company, the Berjaya Group, isn’t just an airline; they are a massive Malaysian business empire spanning real estate, hotels, resorts, food, and telecommunications. This specialized aircraft is just a tiny fraction of what they do, built to connect travelers to their high-end properties.

Here is my comprehensive review of what it’s like to fly on the world’s most luxurious turboprop.

When I walked up to the boarding gate, the crew looked at my boarding pass and told me I could sit absolutely anywhere. Why? Because I was the only passenger on board.

Having an entire commercial aircraft to myself meant I got a highly personalized, one-on-one safety demonstration from the lovely flight attendant, Alia.

The aircraft configuration is what makes this plane truly spectacular:

• The Layout: It features just 24 seats in a spacious 1-1 configuration.
• The Cabin Feel: Standard ATR cabins can feel tight, claustrophobic, and crammed with 2-2 seating and low overhead bins. Berjaya Air completely removed the overhead bins entirely, opening up the ceiling and making the cabin feel incredibly open, airy, and exactly like a private jet.
• The Seat: The seats are remarkably comfortable with an impressive amount of legroom, excellent recline, dedicated USB and USB-C charging ports, and multiple storage compartments.

In-Flight Service & Amenities

Because this was a short 50-minute hop from Subang Airport (SZB) to Redang Island, the service was quick but elegant.

Even though I had a private cabin crew just to look after me, the product itself stands on its own. Included in the ticket price is a premium snack box and fresh coffee.

I also took the opportunity to review the world’s only all-Business Class ATR lavatory located at the far back. While it’s a tight, tiny space, it feels incredibly classy with a polished small sink, a large mirror, and high-end finishes.

The Verdict: Is an All-Premium ATR Sustainable?

As we cruised over Malaysia enjoying stunning views of the Petronas Towers and the coastline, I couldn’t help but appreciate how special this concept is.

A lot of skeptics in the industry will look at a 24-seat turboprop and ask: “How is this sustainable? How will they make a profit?” But to me, that shouldn’t always be the sole focus. We need brave projects like this to bring fresh, exciting ideas to the aviation world.In an era where most airlines are trying to cut costs and strip away passenger comfort, Berjaya Air went all-in to give us a wonderful, spacious product.

I can genuinely see this working as a luxury shuttle between major regional capitals like Kuala Lumpur to Singapore or Bangkok.

The Journey Back: A Flight Tracking Plot Twist

Landing on the beautiful island of Redang was just half the adventure. Since I only came to review the plane and needed to get right back to Kuala Lumpur, I had to figure out a way back to the mainland.

With no taxis or ride-shares available on the island, a friendly local gave me a lift to the ferry terminal. From there, I hitched a ride with a local fisherman on a 45-minute speedboat ride to Marang Jetty on the mainland.

After grabbing a 40-minute taxi to Kuala Terengganu Airport (TGG), I managed to book the very last flight of the evening back to KL, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 737-800, just two hours before departure.

The Plot Twist: Even though I booked the ticket at the literal last minute, Malaysia Airlines’ headquarters must have flagged my name in their system! As soon as I arrived at the terminal, the station manager met me to personally escort me down the jetway. The crew welcomed me by name, and I was treated to incredibly warm hospitality in seat 4F. Malaysia Airlines has been fantastic ever since my last review of them, and this flight was no exception.
 

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This is it guys, wherever you’re off to, have a safe trip!