Avanti first class

[djhappy]

Am I right in thinking that first class on pendolino’s is in coaches J & K during the week and just K at weekends? I asked avanti and I keep getting different answers.

 

[hexagon789]

Am I right in thinking that first class on pendolino’s is in coaches J & K during the week and just K at weekends? I asked avanti and I keep getting different answers.

Yes, that is the arrangement currently.

Once the 390 refurbished are done then G will become Std Class in all 390s. So either First will become K only, or J will be flexible with seats to either ticket type sold as required.

 

[Falcon1200]

Am I right in thinking that first class on pendolino’s is in coaches J & K during the week and just K at weekends?

Think that applies to 11-car sets only; On the 9-car I travelled in on Wednesday, two of the former First Class vehicles were Standard Premium and only coach K (half of which is the driving cab and kitchen) was First Class.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

only coach K (half of which is the driving cab and kitchen) was First Class.

Disgraceful

 

[py_megapixel]

Disgraceful

I don't quite see what's "disgraceful" about adjusting First Class provision to match demand.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I don't quite see what's "disgraceful" about adjusting First Class provision to match demand.

I don’t know how often you’ve travelled recently but it’s certainly not been sufficient for demand the many times I’ve used it. Wedged into airline seats next to strangers every time.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I don’t know how often you’ve travelled recently but it’s certainly not been sufficient for demand the many times I’ve used it. Wedged into airline seats next to strangers every time.

You are paying for one seat. If you're bothered about being next to people, book in advance and use a seat selector to reserve a single seat.

Purchasing one 1st ticket doesn't entitle you to a bay of 4 to yourself.

 

[duncanp]

What I have found recently is that on some services it is impossible to book Standard Premium seats via the Avanti website.

So you are left with a choice of standard or first class.

There doesn't seem to be much point in converting one or more carriages to Standard Premium if it is impossible to book a Standard Premium ticket for the service you want.

And all Standard Premium tickets are advances, only valid on the booked service and non refundable.

There really ought to be a flexible standard premium ticket similar to those for standard and first class.

A point of fact is that paying for any class of ticket doesn't automatically confer a right to a seat.

However it seems silly to squash all the first class passengers into half a carriage when there is unused space in Standard Premium, which Avanit are reluctant to sell tickets for.

 

[mmh]

I don’t know how often you’ve travelled recently but it’s certainly not been sufficient for demand the many times I’ve used it. Wedged into airline seats next to strangers every time.

And, in my opinion, coach K has the worst ambience of any coach on a 390 - including all of the standard class coaches. Airline 2x1 is a terrible layout for first class.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There really ought to be a flexible standard premium ticket similar to those for standard and first class.

There effectively is, you buy a Standard ticket and upgrade on board.

 

[Bletchleyite]

And, in my opinion, coach K has the worst ambience of any coach on a 390 - including all of the standard class coaches. Airline 2x1 is a terrible layout for first class.

Individual single seats are quite prized.

 

[Trackman]

And, in my opinion, coach K has the worst ambience of any coach on a 390 - including all of the standard class coaches. Airline 2x1 is a terrible layout for first class.

Just curious, which layout would you think be best?

I travelled on the Pendolino in Italy, Spain, Poland, and Europe West. I was offered different places. The four-car train has different classes, but it's mostly first class. Compared to airplanes (amenities), it can be equated to business class but falls short of the basic - comfort and air conditioning.

I've never travelled on one in Italy but my friend has in First class. They said seating layout was near enough identical to a 390 - and it rattles. I said it will be the window blinds, just move the offending blind slightly. They came back to me afterwards and said the rattles are even in worse in their version of 'standard' !

 

[voyagerdude220]

You are paying for one seat. If you're bothered about being next to people, book in advance and use a seat selector to reserve a single seat.

Purchasing one 1st ticket doesn't entitle you to a bay of 4 to yourself.

Whilst you're of course correct about passengers only being entitled to one seat, I strongly disagree with your point.

When I used to be a semi regular First Class passenger before Covid, one of the big selling points of First Class were that it was almost guaranteed to have plenty of space- be it a table for two to myself or even a table for four.

Also I'd know that there wasn't any particular need to rush to board the train if I was boarding it where it starts it's journey because there were plenty of seats available.

I can't give a fair comparison with how things are now given I haven't travelled on a Pendolino for several years, but given the price increases, similar level (if not somewhat worse given the lack of hot evening meals) and the tendency of Avanti to bunch First Class pax together in just 1 1/2 carriages (J and K) or even worse just the 1/2 carriage (K) I'm strongly unlikely to want to travel First Class on a Pendolino in future.

I wouldn't be surprised if there are instances of First Class ticket holders experiencing a far inferior journey to Standard Premium ticket holders given how frequently it's been reported that the former have been bunched together with the majority of First Class seats in the small designated area occupied- Whereas Standard Premium has been far more lightly occupied, giving Standard Premium ticket holders a far superior, pleasant ambiance onboard.

 

[dave87016]

The current AWC first class menu is underwhelming with the exception of breakfast there is no evening meal , they do have a all day hot option which is very poor by their standards and that is grilled ham and cheese croque monsieur

 

[NoOnesFool]

The current AWC first class menu is underwhelming with the exception of breakfast there is no evening meal , they do have a all day hot option which is very poor by their standards and that is grilled ham and cheese croque monsieur

They now also have a Hoisin Stir-Fried Noodle Bowl. I notice that the Voyager and weekend menu only offers scrambled egg with the breakfast, not fried or poached, this makes me think that no Voyager and Weekend services have an on-board chef. I could be wrong but usually if it is only scrambled egg available, it is powdered or microwaved.