Atr 42-300/320

Twin Turboprop· 23 globally registered

The ATR 42 is a twin-turboprop regional airliner developed by the French-Italian consortium Avions de Transport Régional, first flown in 1984 and entering service in 1985. Designed as a fuel-efficient short-haul workhorse for thin routes, the ATR 42 seats 42-50 passengers in airline configuration and became one of the best-selling regional turboprops of its generation, competing directly with the Bombardier Dash 8. Its high-mounted wing, fixed landing gear on early variants, and Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120 engines deliver exceptional economics on sectors under 500 nautical miles, making it a favorite for island-hopping, remote communities, and cargo feeders. The type's low approach speed and short-field performance allow operations into airports inaccessible to jets, while its pressurized cabin provides passenger comfort at altitudes up to 25,000 feet. FedEx operates the ATR 42-300F freighter variant extensively across North America for overnight package distribution, taking advantage of the aircraft's ability to serve small regional airports with minimal ground infrastructure. The -300 series features a maximum cruise speed of 265 knots and a range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles with full payload, though later variants like the -500 and -600 extended both performance and capacity. SkyMeter has tracked 93 flights across 17 airframes and 6 operators, with FEDERAL EXPRESS CORP the largest observed operator.