Virgin Trains (Avanti West Coast) First Class Review: Is It Worth It? (2023 Update)

2022 Update: When I travelled between London and Glasgow in September 2019, the service was operated by Virgin Trains. This franchise was taken over by Avanti West Coast on 8th December 2019.

I love train travel; the sense of distance, the evolving landscape, the ability to stretch your legs. Whether it’s maxing out the Japan Rail Pass, exploring Provence by rail, admiring the rugged Yorkshire countryside from the Settle to Carlisle Railway, taking the leisurely journey on the Glacier Express through Switzerland or stepping on board Norway’s Flam Railway, I’m there.

Regretfully, train travel closer to home happens less often than I would like. However, a trip to Oban and Inveraray in Scotland gave me the opportunity to try out Virgin Trains First Class service from London Euston to Glasgow.

But is this upgrade worth the premium fare? To help you decide, here’s my Virgin Trains First Class review.

I travelled from London Euston to Glasgow on a Thursday and back on a Saturday. As Virgin Trains First Class service differs depending on the day of the week that you travel, this allowed me to compare their two levels of First Class service.

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What Do You Get Travelling First Class on Virgin Trains (Avanti West Coast)?

Let’s start by taking a look at the perks that your Virgin Trains First Class ticket offers over and above standard class.

1. Access to Virgin Trains First Class Lounge at the train station (where available)
2. A more comfortable and spacious carriage
3. Power points at all window seats
4. Complimentary food and drink served at your seat

Virgin Trains (Avanti West Coast) First Class Lounges

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that these lounges are subject to availability. As of December 2022, these railway stations have a Virgin Trains First Class Lounge:

• London Euston
• Birmingham International
• Birmingham New Street
• Crewe
• Liverpool Lime Street
• Manchester Piccadilly
• Glasgow Central

Virgin (Avanti West Coast) First Class Lounge – London Euston Station

Located on the mezzanine level of the station, overlooking the concourse, Virgin Trains First Class Lounge at London Euston was busy but comfortable.

At 9.45 am, it wasn’t quite gin o’clock, and the bar was not open. However, self-service tea, coffee, juices, water and a limited range of snacks and pastries were available.

Complimentary newspapers and Wi-Fi were also on offer. Toilet facilities were available within the lounge.

Virgin (Avanti West Coast) First Class Lounge – Glasgow Central

Virgin Trains First Class Lounge at Glasgow Central was underwhelming, to say the least. Tucked in the corner of the Virgin Trains ticket office, the lounge offers sofas, armchairs and a workstation with power points running the length of its small area.

Food and drink options were poor, comprising tea, undrinkable coffee, a miserly selection of snacks and cold drinks. Toilets are not available in the lounge and there is no lounge attendant.

Virgin First Class Train Carriage

For me, this is the main perk of first-class travel on Virgin Trains / Avanti West Coast.

With their seats arranged four abreast, the standard carriages on Virgin Trains feel cramped and can be very busy. My outbound leg to Glasgow was not at peak time, yet people were standing in the train’s vestibules in standard class. Not much fun on a four-and-a-half-hour journey.

By contrast, Avanti West Coast First Class carriage on both journeys was an oasis of calm.

With just three seats across the carriage, there is a 25% reduction in occupancy. There is more room to spread out, the carriage is less likely to be fully occupied and there is reduced pressure on luggage storage space.

To ensure that your portable devices have enough juice to last the ride, power points are available at every window seat.

Virgin Trains (Avanti West Coast) First Class Food & Drink service

Catch a Virgin Train between London and Scotland on a weekday and you’ll be treated to a full food and drink service. Travel at the weekend, and this is much reduced.

Food & drink: Weekday service

The food and drink service on my outbound journey from London Euston was superb. Cheerful staff seemed to be constantly passing down the carriage with food and drinks. As a result, I was grazing for the entire four and a half hours, watching the English countryside, and later the Scottish countryside, unfold outside my window.

Leaving London Euston, we were served tea or coffee, followed by juice and water and their hot brunch service. I opted for a very tasty vegetable hash. Dessert took the form of cookies and chocolate and more hot drinks.

Their bar service started at Preston, the journey’s halfway point. A welcome glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc washed down the ‘Summer Picnic Box’, one of the cold snack selections on offer.

The staff made a repeat bar run before reaching Glasgow. Each Virgin Trains First Class train carriage also has a fridge from which you can help yourself to soft drinks.

Food & drink: Weekend and bank holiday service

Although delivered with the same level of cheeriness, the food and drink service in First Class on Virgin Trains at the weekend was significantly reduced.

Tea or coffee and soft drinks remained available but no alcoholic drinks. The hot meals were replaced by a choice of two sandwiches with crisps and a chocolate cookie.

Virgin Trains Wi-Fi and Onboard Entertainment

Although free Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment are also provided in Standard Class on Virgin Trains, they are worth commenting on.

Whilst it was fine when it worked, the train’s Wi-Fi connection was erratic. Perfectly OK for checking your email and social media feeds; not so good for streaming.

BEAM is Virgin Trains’ on-demand entertainment system, accessed via your smartphone or tablet. As well as offering a selection of magazines and newspapers, there were 22 recent films and 16 Amazon Prime shows to choose from.

GOOD TO KNOW: For a potential upgrade bargain, download the Seatfrog app. This allows you to bid for a last-minute upgrade to first-class. Select the number of upgrades you’d like to bid for, set your price and you’ll only pay if you are successful.

The Avanti West Coast Standard Premium Class

Premium Economy has come to trains.

Avanti West Coast’s Standard Premium Class – I spotted it on a city break to Liverpool – has been launched across the West Coast Main Line on all of the Pendolino trains.

But what does an Avanti West Coast Standard Premium Class ticket buy you and how much does it cost?

You get roomier seats with extra space and a guaranteed table. Essentially, these are lightly-used first-class carriages. Free food and drink and lounge access are not part of the deal.

For aStandard Premium Class ticket, expect to pay between £15 and £30, depending on the length of your journey. Tickets can be booked in advance or you can upgrade on the day.

Is Virgin Trains (Avanti West Coast) First Class Worth It?

The value of an upgrade to First Class on Virgin Trains will ultimately depend on what is important to you.

As the cost of an upgrade during the week is highly variable you will have to put in the legwork to identify the better value fares.

You can travel better for less; the key to well-priced train fares is booking in advance and flexibility.

For me, travelling First Class was worth it just to get a more comfortable seat in a quiet and spacious carriage. I was also impressed by the food and drinks weekday service on the outbound journey, which made the 4-hour + journey fly by.

The food and drink offerings on the return journey were less impressive, and Virgin Trains are clear on their website that this service is reduced at the weekend.  And unless you are forced to spend an extended period of time at the railway station, Virgin’s First Class Lounges aren’t worth the ticket upgrade cost.