Avanti West Coast launch Standard Premium service as capacity increase for Pendolino trains announced

Avanti West Coast has launched Standard Premium class on its Pendolino trains and is the first UK Train Operating Company to offer an additional class of travel.

Standard Premium sits between Standard and First Class and will see roomier seats, more space and a guaranteed table.

Refreshments can also be ordered to their seat thanks to the new At Seat Order feature.

Advance tickets for Standard Premium will be available from July and is available to buy as an upgrade on the day of your travel. Single journey upgrades range from £15, Birmingham to London, or £30 for Glasgow to London.

Avanti West Coast launches Standard Premium on Pendolino trains — Credit: Avanti West Coast

Successful trials and market research has seen Standard Premium launched, with 96% of passengers taking part in a trial saying that they were either ‘highly likely’ or ‘likely’ to upgrade to standard premium in the future.

As part of more improvements, Avanti West Coast will launch an enhanced First Class offering with better catering and a more bespoke customer service later in 2021.

The Royal Charter headboard carried by Britannia with Paul and his girlfriend Isla infront

New seats, with leather headrests, will be installed in Standard Premium and First, with all 25,000 standard seats being replaced.

One carriage on all 11-coach Pendolino trains will be converted from First Class to Standard (coach G), which will increase capacity by 5%

Phil Whittingham, Manager Director at Avanti West Coast said: “This is the first major step in our transformation of services on the West Coast. Together with our upcoming First Class service which will lead the industry, and the complete refurbishment of the Pendolino fleet, Standard Premium will set a new benchmark for UK rail travel.

“Our new class of travel will offer greater choice and provide a unique offer which meets customers’ changing needs as they return to rail. This new feature is another step in raising the bar for excellence on the railway.”

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