A Delta Air Lines aircraft. Credit: Bombardier.

US-based carrier Delta Air Lines has signed an agreement to purchase 20 CRJ900 regional aircraft with new Atmosphère cabin design from Bombardier for around $961m at list price.

The new aircraft are expected to be delivered later this year and will make Delta the world’s first carrier to operate CRJ900 with Atmosphère cabin.

The Atmosphère cabin features new interior designs to offer larger passenger living space, wheel-first roller bag capability, more spacious lavatories, and additional cabin connectivity options.

It is also designed to enable each passenger to carry and store an ‘oversized’ roller bag on the overhead luggage bins, reducing the need to check in bags.

“Together with Delta, we have driven the development of regional aviation in the US, and we are looking forward to further enhancing regional air travel.”

Delta’s new CRJ900 aircraft with Atmosphère cabin will be deployed under the Delta Connection brand in a two-class regional jet configuration with 70 seats.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer said: “Together with Delta, we have driven the development of regional aviation in the US, and we are looking forward to further enhancing regional air travel with the launch of the new Atmosphèrecabin with our long-standing and esteemed customer.”

In May, Bombardier secured a firm order to provide 15 new CRJ900 regional jets worth around$719m to American Airlines.

The order also includes the option of purchasing 15 additional CRJ900 aircraft.

So far, Bombardier has received 1953 firm orders for its CRJ Series aircraft.