A "middle class" and seat sizes?

[Howardh]

Noticed that Avanti have suggested a three-class system of standard, premium economy and first class - with "increased sized" seats in PE on the inter-cities.

How can they do that without the seats becoming 2 x 1 as they are in first? You can't really increase the size of 2 x 2 without narrowing the already narrow aisle, so if it's made 2 x 1 then for most pax there would be little point in having a first-class ticket?

Or would they go 3 x 2 (standard), 2 x 2 (PE) and 2 x 1 (First) making standard a very uncomfortable journey when full?

 

[swt_passenger]

In the existing thread about this news it’s been explained numerous times that the seats aren’t being changed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ee-classes-of-travel-to-be-introduced.196484/

 

[Nymanic]

You'll never get 3+2 in a Pendolino thankfully, but as for the Premium offering, it could go either way.

If it's like the 'Premium' option on Trenitalia's Frecciarossa trains, it'll be similar or identical seats, upholstered differently and possibly with more legroom and/or better window alignment. You may also get a limited complimentary service - free water/hot drinks, perhaps?

Italo (the open access option in Italy) do it the other way round, with a 'Comfort' carriage offering identical 2+1 seats to first class ('Prima'), but without any perks, so you're just paying for a fancy seat. The price differential can be very small - on a recent journey I paid just €2 more than standard ('Smart').

Either option has its merits. My personal preference is the latter (2+1, no extras), as I usually have my own food and drink, but fewer seats means less extra revenue. I wouldn't be surprised if we saw 2+2 seating on Avanti though, perhaps with table bays only since they could all align with windows. Maybe they'll advertise it as "guaranteed window view"?

The cynic in me wagers that you'll get no complimentary service! We shall see, though.

 

[Mag_seven]

In the existing thread about this news it’s been explained numerous times that the seats aren’t being changed.

And the existing thread can be found here:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ee-classes-of-travel-to-be-introduced.196484/

 

[swt_passenger]

And the existing thread can be found here:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ee-classes-of-travel-to-be-introduced.196484/

Thanks, I was just looking it up when you chipped in...

 

[Nymanic]

In the existing thread about this news it’s been explained numerous times that the seats aren’t being changed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ee-classes-of-travel-to-be-introduced.196484/

Other sources report to the contrary. Railjournal makes mention of new seats for existing trains. Railway Gazette even states that the same design will be used on old and new fleets. There's even mention of 'more recline', but I don't really know how to interpret that. More recline in first? Or just a less upright posture in all classes??

 

[Howardh]

In the existing thread about this news it’s been explained numerous times that the seats aren’t being changed:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...ee-classes-of-travel-to-be-introduced.196484/

Thanks (thread can be merged or deleted then!!)

 

[swt_passenger]

Other sources report to the contrary. Railjournal makes mention of new seats for existing trains. Railway Gazette even states that the same design will be used on old and new fleets. There's even mention of 'more recline', but I don't really know how to interpret that. More recline in first? Or just a less upright posture in all classes??

Changed seats but staying in the existing layout is what I took it to be.