Avanti 1st Class

[pnepaul]

I have briefly mentioned this in another thread. However a bit more on the subject.

Having seen and heard how much 1st Class is on Avanti, I have noticed how well patronized it is. A case in point was a couple of weeks ago whilst taking photos at Carlisle station with my new camera. All the Avanti trains I saw, 1st class was at least half full. Last Friday I went to a lunchtime meeting in Morecombe, on the way down the train manager announced the standard premium was 1st class due to the real 1st class being fully booked. Some people must have the money to spend lol.

 

[Howardh]

If Standard Premium was first class, were ordinary SP pax turfed out (with refund?) or could they stay and enjoy first class without paying extra?

 

[pnepaul]

If Standard Premium was first class, were ordinary SP pax turfed out (with refund?) or could they stay and enjoy first class without paying extra?

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that!

 

[Flying Snail]

It's not that surprising as 1st class capacity has been slashed from 145 to 55 (or 18 if only the horrible coach K is 1st) on 11 car pendolinos.

1st being rammed while Std is half empty is not exactly a premium product either.

 

[richardderby]

looking at the menu, its all a bit snacky, other than at breakfast time. I remember when Virgin had the Pendolino 'Primo' menu on selected trains, proper full meal, and much less expensive too in those days...

 

[Bletchleyite]

1st being rammed while Std is half empty is not exactly a premium product either.

You pay for one seat.

Not many Avanti services where Standard is quiet these days.

 

[peteb]

If I'm getting on an Avanti Pendolino originating at Birmingham New Street or Wolverhampton I always go to sit in coach U, where there's almost always a free unreserved table for four with decent window. Beats sitting in first class with some merchant banker type conducting a noisy zoom meeting for the entire journey to London. (Which was what happened last time I splashed out on a first advance). Standard is often very quiet, particularly in U.

 

[voyagerdude220]

looking at the menu, its all a bit snacky, other than at breakfast time. I remember when Virgin had the Pendolino 'Primo' menu on selected trains, proper full meal, and much less expensive too in those days...

I strongly agree with you. Whilst I love a Full English breakfast, even the premium Avanti are charging for First Class compared with Standard Premium can be obscene at times- e.g. £80+ for a Full English and drinks.

And that's without mentioning my pet hate of them only offering First Class in coach K on the Pendolinos at weekends.

 

[Djgr]

I am not a fan of the three class railway. We have been here before and it had to be unravelled then

 

[Discuss223]

When Avanti introduced the three travel classes, they really upped their game with their offering. It's been "economised" a lot since then - some of the speciality teas were removed and the food items became more limited. Service still seems to be very good though and staff make the effort to introduce themselves and say "hello" before the train has even set off. There are a few exceptions in the team who actually spoil the experience but thankfully, they are in the minority. It's a shame that the chef cooked Evening Meals have been axed though.

 

[rocrat]

I honestly think Avanti's 1st class is one of the best, and a far cry better than LNER.

The service is far, far more personal and the menus are no worse than the 'dish' or 'deli' menus on LNER.

Avanti lounges are also far better than LNER...

 

[Trackman]

If Standard Premium was first class, were ordinary SP pax turfed out (with refund?) or could they stay and enjoy first class without paying extra?

What I have seen in the past, people with pre-booked SP tickets share it with First, so on production of ticket you would have food.
Sounds like the train manager has closed SP to standard passengers for the upgrade.

 

[mountainpixel]

It's not that surprising as 1st class capacity has been slashed from 145 to 55 (or 18 if only the horrible coach K is 1st) on 11 car pendolinos.

Never had to share a row of seats with another person in first class. If only coach K is available, it's usually only 5-10 customers max.

 

[mountainpixel]

I honestly think Avanti's 1st class is one of the best, and a far cry better than LNER.

Yes, I've nearly always had a good experience. The only thing I don't like is that the cutlery comes in plastic packaging. I understand it somewhat from a hygienic point, but it's a waste of resources and makes it feel less premium.

 

[Discuss223]

Yes, I've nearly always had a good experience. The only thing I don't like is that the cutlery comes in plastic packaging. I understand it somewhat from a hygienic point, but it's a waste of resources and makes it feel less premium.

Perhaps if it was branded packaging, it could give a more premium experience.

 

[rocrat]

Perhaps if it was branded packaging, it could give a more premium experience.

It could be both branded and paper -- it would look MUCH nicer and feel a lot more premium

Or even just get rid of the plastic as it's still served in a (?branded) napkin already!

Email to AWC anyone?

 

[Butts]

Never had to share a row of seats with another person in first class. If only coach K is available, it's usually only 5-10 customers max.

In Coach K yesterday between Birmingham International and Sandwell and Dudley.

On a 25 min journey had 3 Scotches and a selection of snacks -very personal service at a bargain £6 odd cost

 

[Sealink]

I wonder how many people had RailCards and/or used SeatFrog?

 

[Sealink]

I honestly think Avanti's 1st class is one of the best, and a far cry better than LNER.

The service is far, far more personal and the menus are no worse than the 'dish' or 'deli' menus on LNER.

Avanti lounges are also far better than LNER...

For me, who doesn't qualify for a rail card, LNER gets me to Inverness for almost half the price AWC will get me to Glasgow. Used to enjoy VTWC A shame, I have not actually been on Avanti West Coast.

 

[Butts]

Excellent service on 1938 Wigan NW to Edinburgh tonight.

Ploughmans with Scotch Egg (new menu) , Crisps, Chocolate Bars, Savoury Snacks,, Whisky and Coffees. and Peroni in Bottles.

Outstanding for a Saturday Night with just Coach K allocated to 1st Class.

 

[Tilting007]

If Standard Premium was first class, were ordinary SP pax turfed out (with refund?) or could they stay and enjoy first class without paying extra?

Not all Anglo Scot trains have SP on Fridays.
There are a few different configurations for SP, some services don’t have it. I can’t remember the exact services.
At weekends most trains have only K as First and J / H as SP.

 

[D1537]

Whilst I like Avanti's FC offering, I almost always baulk at the price. For example; travelling from North Yorkshire to Glasgow next month.

Plan A: drive to Northallerton (25 mins), LNER to Edinburgh and SR to Glasgow QS (3hr 24 mins). Two people with a Two Together Railcard - £136.
Plan B: drive to Penrith (1hr 30 mins), AWC to Glasgow Central (1hr 30). £221.

I haven't used splitting on this yet, but this is generally how the AWC v LNER First Class seems to work. Shorter distance - higher fares.

To be fair to AWC, travelling standard is indeed cheaper for this journey than LNER (by quite a lot).

 

[jfollows]

Not all Anglo Scot trains have SP on Fridays.
There are a few different configurations for SP, some services don’t have it. I can’t remember the exact services.
At weekends most trains have only K as First and J / H as SP.

From https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/11-30-fo-euston-to-glasgow.275367/#post-6980074

And even more confusing, I didn’t know that on a Friday there’s no Standard Premium available on the 09:30, 10:30, 11:30, 12:30, 16:30 and 17:30 departures from Euston to Glasgow. All three coaches (H, J and K) are exclusively for first class on those journeys. On other departures on Fridays and all day on other weekdays coach H is Standard Premium while on Saturdays and Sundays coaches H and J are Standard Premium and only K is First. You have to have your wits about you when travelling with Avanti...

May have changed since five months ago, of course.

 

[Deepgreen]

I travelled from Glasgow to Euston in first recently and tickets were not checked until well south of the Carlisle stop, by which time we had already been served various 'freebies'. I have noticed this often before, and it does beg the question of how many take the chance and travel there illegitimately for that (quite long) section.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I travelled from Glasgow to Euston in first recently and tickets were not checked until well south of the Carlisle stop, by which time we had already been served various 'freebies'. I have noticed this often before, and it does beg the question of how many take the chance and travel there illegitimately for that (quite long) section.

Particularly further south on the Scotland to London via Midlands services where trains stop on average every 15 to 20 minutes between Lancaster and Coventry.

 

[Doctor Pepper]

I've only travelled with Avanti once (apart from one short hop between Chester and Crewe), in Standard Premium. I travelled First quite a few times when it was Virgin. Now the price puts me off.

es, I've nearly always had a good experience. The only thing I don't like is that the cutlery comes in plastic packaging. I understand it somewhat from a hygienic point, but it's a waste of resources and makes it feel less premium.

LNER cutlery doesn't come in any plastic.........

I travelled from Glasgow to Euston in first recently and tickets were not checked until well south of the Carlisle stop, by which time we had already been served various 'freebies'. I have noticed this often before, and it does beg the question of how many take the chance and travel there illegitimately for that (quite long) section.

I've been on LNER journeys where the guard hasn't come through First until quite late into the journey. I guess the guard starts checking tickets from the rear of the train, and London bound First is at the front, so it takes him or her time to get there.

 

[Falcon1200]

I travelled from Glasgow to Euston in first recently and tickets were not checked until well south of the Carlisle stop, by which time we had already been served various 'freebies'.

My experience from Glasgow is that tickets are checked before Carlisle, after Motherwell if the train stopped there; Although not much chance of a free feast between Glasgow and there!

 

[zero]

I used Avanti 1st several times over Christmas/New Year on an EUrail pass. Tickets were always checked shortly after departure though not necessarily before food/drinks were served.

There was only an issue once, when there had been a set swap and somehow 1st and SP tickets had intermingling reserved seats. The response of the TM was to declassify the train completely (but he also did not check tickets). Anyway everyone with regular tickets on that train was entitled to full delay repay as it was 60 minutes late.

 

[A S Leib]

I wonder how many people had RailCards and/or used SeatFrog?

It's probably a small number, but so far all of my first class Avanti journeys have been complimentary Club Avanti tickets; twenty-odd advance tickets from Carlisle to Glasgow or Preston, especially with a railcard, still works out cheaper than the first class fares I've been able to find.

At least in theory, Glasgow / Carlisle – Milton Keynes / London starts at ~£60 in First with a railcard, but I've rarely if ever seen Avanti First fares for below ~£100 each way when I've been looking to travel.

 

[peteb]

Had a great journey with Avanti 1st class this morning 0947 Birmingham New Street to London Euston. Refurbished Pendolino. Coffee served after BHI, also orange juice and water. Full English breakfast served after COV. Food hot, tasty, not greasy, on proper china with stainless steel cutlery. Extra coffee supplied on request. Spent an hour in lounge at Euston afterwards where a variety of decent snacks, pastries and fruit bowls, cake etc on offer with large range of hot and cold drinks. Well worth £66 adv single.