Posted on Thursday, 23 March 2017

Among our business travel insurance customers, the train remains a popular way to get around – whether here in the UK, on mainland Europe, or further afield.

And when it comes to getting some work done, travelling in a first class carriage is usually considered preferable to standard class. We're talking larger seats, air conditioning, power outlets and Wi-Fi access. And then there are the other perks: free snacks and drinks – plus the prestige of travelling in a tier above most others.

But is first class rail travel falling out of favour? News that UK rail network South Eastern is consulting passengers on scrapping first class carriages on some routes might suggest so.

If it went ahead, the move would free up more space for standard seating on the busiest routes.

On the downside, those who wanted to do a little work before or after the office may have to do so in more crowded carriages.

However, some regard the current first class offering from South Eastern to be very similar to standard class. Mark Smith, the man behind rail information website Seat61.com, told the Independent: "the first class section is often quite literally identical to Standard Class, with the same seat layout and even the same seat fabric."

If it happened, the reality is that those whose companies paid for first class would still need to travel by rail: the train system is a natural monopoly that, at least in terms of comfort and speed, cannot be bettered by coach, bus, taxi or car.

Door-to-door, even flying from Edinburgh to London usually takes longer than going by train.

First class rail in Europe

Like the UK, continental European rail systems offer both first and second class carriages. In France, for example, you can expect bigger seats, more luggage space and a quieter experience.

When it comes to getting some work done – especially on longer journeys – these qualities matter.

When standard class is adequate

For some business travellers – and more importantly those who control the expenses purse strings – standard class is sufficient. Indeed, in some cases it is better than the first class of years ago. Mark Smith told the Independent: “Standard class on many of [The Chiltern Railway's] new main-line trains is now more comfortable than the old ex-BR first class I used to use on their routes pre-1995.”

“Arrives at the same time”

On mainland Europe, the difference between first and second is regarded by many as minimal, often coming down to a small difference in seat size. As one TripAdvisor user said when comparing French first and second class: “the comfort can vary a bit but basically it's just a slightly larger seat.”

Another TripAdvisor contributor said, "[French] second class is more than adequately comfortable, arrives at the same time, and costs less – for me it's a no brainer." Many agree.

Some choose first class for longer journeys only: a shorter trip (where it may not be feasible to do any work anyway) is often better served with a second/standard class ticket.

For very busy routes and times, however, there is still strong argument for stumping up for a first class ticket.

Is first class in jeopardy in Europe?

Business travellers who use first class trains in countries like France and Germany need not worry. First class seats have been available since the dawn of Europe's railways. Moreover, continental networks – most of them built afresh after the war – do not face the severe capacity problems affecting some UK routes. In short, first class across Europe is unlikely to be axed in favour of increasing standard seating.

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