ONE UK train company is bringing back its first class seats for the first time in over two decades.
With comfortable seats, large windows and huge tables, these will be offered as an on-the-day upgrade for a journey that’s a tad more luxurious.
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Chiltern Railway is introducing newer trains to its network, called the Mark 5A train.
After 23 years, Chiltern Railways is bringing back first class carriages on its newest trains which will operate between London Marylebone to Stourbridge Junction in 2026.
Seats in the first class carriages will be offered as an on-the-day so travellers can upgrade to a more spacious seat.
How an on-the-day upgrade works is that passengers pay the difference between a standard class ticket and first class fare at a ticket office before the journey or in some cases on the train .
You can also buy a first class ticket in advance when the trains are officially introduced.
The pictures of the new first class carriages show wide and comfy looking seats that have a winged headrest and large tables.
Once the new fleet is rolled out Chiltern Railways said the trains will have more standard-class seats than today.
Other features across the new trains include plug sockets and USB ports at every seat, free Wi-Fi and digital information screens to track your journeys progress.
There will be automated onboard air conditioning that reacts to outdoor temperatures so you shouldn’t ever be too cold or hot.
Seat back tables will be able to fold town and there will be extendable sections for larger devices.
For more storage, there are overhead luggage racks in every carriage, and onboard there will be dedicated storage for six bikes.
Plus, certain passengers will be able to use the dedicated accessible areas complete with companion seating and hearing loop.
Chiltern Railways scrapped its first class seats decades ago and discontinued its business zone, which offered an on-board upgrade, in March 2020.
In recent years there has been a lack of demand for first class tickets which are generally more expensive, but price varies depending on whether it’s in peak or off-peak journeys.
Several other train operators have eliminated first class since 2020 including London Northwestern Railway, Southeastern and Stansted Express.
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