GOOD OR BAD? I try LNER Azuma in 1st class between Newcastle and Edinburgh. 1ST CLASS COMPARISON

Despite a setback at Newcastle station, I try the LNER 1st class experience to Edinburgh Waverley on the Azuma and sample the 1st class lounge on arrival in Edinburgh. #LNER #AZUMA
Filmed October 2023 | Newcastle, UK.
*** OTHER VIDEOS IN THIS SERIES:
SCOTRAIL • WORTH THE COST? Scotra...
CROSSCOUNTRY • HOW BAD ARE THEY? Cros...
AVANTI • WHAT A SURPRISE! The p...
TRANSPENNINE • OH DEAR! - disappointi...
*** PLEASE BUY ME A COFFEE TO KEEP ME UP TO CRUISING ALTITUDE: ko-fi.com/planestrainseverything
*** MY BOOK:
End-To-End, the world's longest train journey from Vila Real de Santo Antonio, Portugal, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
www.amazon.co.uk/End-End-Worl...
*** FOLLOW ME AT:
Web: www.planestrainseverything.com
Twitter: / planestrainsev1
Facebook: / planestrainseverything
Instagram: / planestrainseverything
*** DAILY DROP:
Be the first to learn about new and revised points/miles hacking news. I'm continually using Avios/Nectar points and other deals that come my way. This keeps me up to speed with what's out there. newsletter.dailydrop.com/subs...
*** MUSIC:
Music courtesy of epidemicsound.com. If you are a KZbinr and you are considering using Epidemic Sound, please use this link... share.epidemicsound.com/togmw4
It costs you nothing more, but will help me level up to be an Epidemic Sound ambassador.
*** TIMESTAMPS:
00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:55 1st class lounge Newcastle
00:03:09 A walk in Newcastle
00:03:37 Tyne Bridge
00:05:43 1st class lounge Newcastle
00:06:56 LNER Azuma to Edinburgh
00:10:41 Arrive Edinburgh
00:11:36 1st class lounge Edinburgh
00:13:47 Conclusion

[@simonhorner8793]

The fact that the lounge was closed indefinitely because the door wasn't working shows how much less resilient (and over-engineered) we are nowadays. I don't remember a fault in a simple push/pull door ever resulting in the closure of an entire facility.

[@cjmillsnun]

Accesibility rules means the door has to be automatic. If that doesn't work, moving it manually could damage it. So the idea is tomove it as little as possible until it's fixed.

[@alangordon3283]

No it isn’t.

[@iainjones5002]

@@cjmillsnun Plus chances are the door was supplied by a company outside of LNER and any repairs or routine maintenance or servicing is contracted out too. Thus, there's a delay until said company can allocate the job to their next available personnel, maybe later that day, that week or goodness knows when?

[@awild10]

@@cjmillsnunbut it needs to have a manual override in case of power failure in the event of fire. Unless they have a separate fire exit door from the lounge which kind of begs the question as to why they didn’t just let their customers in that way? But perhaps that would mean actually having a member of staff available to check that those entering the facility have a valid ticket and heaven forbid they actually employ a member of staff when unstaffed facilities are so much cheaper to operate.

[@john07973]

A joke

[@richardmurphy4520]

The term ," Broken Britain", springs to mind.

[@tsr207]

Enjoyable as always - for the life of me I can't believe that a railway station can not get an engineer to repair a door - a lot of these messages on doors these days seem to hide the fact that they don't have enough staff to man them - looks better to blame something else..

[@hmrobert7016]

I think they might just use that sign no matter what the fault is. It's my local station and the sign is up maybe twice a month, so unless the door is seriously bad they just use the one sign for everything. Probably just short on staff or something.

[@walterfillingham]

Always enjoyed LNER First Class and would go as far and say they are the best with excellent food, snacks, hot drinks and cold drinks throughout the journey, the staff are and always been absolutely superb! UPDATE; catering available on ScotRail trains NOW! :) and Newcastle is well worth a decent explore. I ended up loving the city when we visited

[@TheROLLER1953]

😂

[@andrewtaylor5984]

I bet the catering on Scotrail is no more than a trolley.

[@IngramCars]

Unfortunately it appears you may have caught them on a bad day. I've travelled with them a few times from London to Edingburgh and the service is outstanding. Usually there are not only hot and cold drinks, but light alcoholic drinks included. The on-board food is also good, I usually have Beef Olive stew, and apple tart for dessert. DO try them again!

[@TheROLLER1953]

😂

[@stanley3647]

But You know: FIRST impression can be done only ONCE :) For some travellers - can be DO or DON'T anymore :D

[@steve-marsh]

It just feels like LNER overpromise on pretty much everything on their website. They appear to be better at marketing than operations! Great video, again, really enjoying this comparison series.

[@PlanesTrainsEverything]

I learned that was the case with all companies checked. I've just travelled 1st class on the Pendolino between Lisbon and Faro and guess what... different country, same broken promises.

[@RonCombo]

Great vid Scott, you deserve a wider audience as you are a natural in front of the camera!

[@davidmcmanus2464]

Great travel review as always

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very well presented. Thank you

[@brianbrown8845]

Great video Scott, stay safe and well, looking forward to your next video.

[@daviddunlop681]

Hi Scott. That was one of your best and most instructive videos I have ever seen.

[@johnmacleod4481]

We're looking forward to enjoying the joirney with you Scott

[@stuartibbertson2009]

fantastic video

[@sgy6493]

Completely agree regarding the raspberry pot. Amazing!

[@themediumfromage]

Didn't have you down as a st mirren fan Scott. Kilmarnock. keep up the good work

[@zzhughesd]

Amazing. My experience

[@JohninRosc]

Great video again Scott. You should remedy your unfamiliarity with Newcastle. I lived there for 6 years in the 80's and get back as often as I can - my favourite city in the world.

[@hermanmunster3358]

I'm a Gateshead Native, living darn sarf, and I have to say, its about time the good old Tyne Bridge received a lick of paint, its looking a bit neglected to say the least. Howay Newcastle/Gateshead, get ya fingers oot, ya lettin wi doon man! Always good to see the Grandeur of Newcastle Central Station though, it always evokes memories of my youth, waggin it from school to spend the afternoon in the Keep, or doon on the quay, ye knaa!

[@FrankC321]

That blue train looked nice. Azuma rocks!

[@kennethhume8628]

Great video .

[@Martycycleman]

Cheers Scott

[@lewiss626]

Do you include staff interaction in your ratings cause i would say that also plays a big part in someones journey 😀

[@dandowson89]

loved that you kept going back to the audio of them announcing the local northern train while you were waiting in Newcastle haha. Should take a trip down to sunderland they have a even smaller version of the Tyne bridge there with the railway bridge being of the same design

[@michaelstaley2241]

Very enjoyable as ever factual.

[@the_stuart115]

I honestly love the azuma trains.

[@patrickbut-not-a-saint9418]

Thanks for another insightful video. Hoolie...that's interesting Scott. It's a word used here in Ireland quite a lot but it means a raucous celebration, a party with dancing, never related to weather. "There was a great hoolie down at the clubhouse after the team won the final at the weekend."

[@jamesdoe1479]

Scott great video as ever. I have used the LNER Azuma a few times now between London King’s Cross and Scotland and have found first class on the whole to be great. Staff are brilliant. There was one time when we booked first back from Newcastle to KGX but the first class lounge there, though open, had no refreshments which was really disappointing. One thing I will say about Newcastle is that it’s really worth getting a day ticket to the Tyne and Wear Metro. My brother in law and I spent most of the Saturday going round much of it, the ticket includes the North/South Shields ferry and all the buses. Great fun.

[@neilcrooks5516]

I love your channel.am going to Edinburgh tomorrow from Morpeth on lumo service coming home on cross country

[@nlr70]

Missed a trick should have gone to the old original First Class lounge in NCL opp the Greggs absolutely stunning, great vid 10/10

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

I made the trip from Inverness to Kings Cross on one of the last HST's to operate it, and did so in first class. Not cheap, but what a trip. The staff were incredible, the food delicious, and no shortage of it either. Such a shame those trains are no longer with us...

[@DeltaJazzUK]

A lot comfier seats than the Azumas too.

[@daniel69]

GOAT

[@jakemason7194]

I travel on lner frequently using first class sometimes at newcastle the lounge is outstanding and the service is outstanding on board

[@gordonjohnston8321]

With LNER there are 3 types of first class menu. ‘Dine’, the best option where they have a chef on board to cook one of the hot dishes to order . ‘Dish’ the normal service, usually has one or two hot meal options. ‘Deli’ a comparatively basic service with just cold food offers. It’s worth trying to book a service with the higher level menu options when you can. Very odd you weren’t offered a couple of cups of tea, and some alcohol.

[@TheROLLER1953]

😂

[@andrewtaylor5984]

If you look at the date on the video, the journey took place on a Sunday.

[@ianjames9166]

Another quality video, Scott! Disappointed with LNER here, I really thought they were better than this. I travelled from Newcastle down to Birmingham just a few weeks ago and noticed the First Class lounge was closed then and had the barrier across the door as you saw. 🤔Hmmm...

[@ianlove1215]

Tyne bridge could do with a lick of paint 🎨

[@jackwatsonepic626]

My hometown of Middlesbrough was mentioned on the tanoy when you were at Newcastle station 👍

[@anderson357]

If travelling look for one has dine menu. I used last week and did both ways and got lovely breakfast and dinner. I had same problem with headrests. I agree Edinburgh lounge superb.

[@Demun1649]

I travelled on a Class 800, in the first week of service. It broke down, the replacement Class 800 also broke down within two stations. The seats were totally uncomfortable, impossible to stay seated because of the strain placed on my back and legs. That was the first,and last time, I have been on a Class 800. Technology 10 years out of date. The build quality was shoddy, rattles and panels coming loose, seats making grating noises. Then I read of a collision between a Class 43, and an 800, while shunting in terminal sidings. The 43 was travelling at 5mph, as per signing, and the 800 at 9mph, the 800 caught up with the 43 and ran into the back. In a collision, at a combined speed of 4mph. The 43 was dented, pretty badly, but the 800 had the entire driving cab stoved in, right to the bulkhead wall of the cab. The driver was damned lucky to have been at the other end of the train, reversing. The Class 800 is yet another example of the way that Hitachi deliver substandard rolling stock. They signed a contract to build the 800/801/802 stock in Britain, but once the contract was signed, built a new construction plane in Japan, employing 9K people. Britain got an assembly plant that employed 734 people, and they were not building trains, just reassembling kits sent from Japan. Hitachi should be banned from all European ventures, until they open competition for trains, inside Japan, to companies based in other countries. I will never travel on another Hitachi again. They sell inferior stock.

[@ShrunkedDude]

I once went on 1st class between Newcastle to Glasgow with LNER. Was surprisingly the same price as regular.

[@Scot-land]

I love this content I also really like being informed of how much the fair costs. Also can I ask what you do when you get to these destinations or is it for content purposes only thanks

[@bigshaq712]

Had no idea you were a saints fan, Get innnnn!

[@rogink]

Not sure how he got to such a high score. The lounges seem like a bonus for first class but I think we'd all like somewhere comfy to sit while waiting for a train. If you are promised complementary drinks you'd expect hot ones - does that mean the other passengers had nothing hot? As for Newcastle, I'm surprised Scott hasn't visited. You need more than a couple of hours but the quayside is close by and more interesting than the Tyne Bridge (I can't say I've ever crossed it by foot). And as for 'blowing a hoolie' I'd guess that the only viewers who didn't understand Carol from Ft William would be non-native English speakers. Pretty sure it's one of Sir Billy Connolly's favourite expressions (in fact he may have invented it!)

[@GaryTurpie]

Love using LNER despite having to get to edinburgh in order to use them

[@pacman1386]

I had to get a train from bristol temple meads to Weston-super-Mare last friday at 5.15pm due to bad rtc's cutting the roads and bus routes. I upgraded to 1st class so I was granteed a seat and for the extra five pounds I was glad I did. We had all on board amenities and there where only 2 people in the carriage. Would definitely use gwr 1st class again.

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

The First Class Lounge at Manchester Piccadilly is a nightmare to find but it is easy to get in on e you find it.

[@harrychown6854]

"Blowing a hoolie" is a term we use in North East England, including Newcastle. I live 40 minutes South of Newcastle by road, and we use that term quite a lot.

[@patrickchampion8179]

I find that LNER first class varies a lot by the time of day (I use it semi regularly as Newcastle is my local station). I most often use it early in the morning: for the main journeys I do the difference is typically £5-10, and the value of food and drink plus the convenience of not having to scour the city centre at 6am makes it worth it. At that time of day I have never had a bad experience - brilliant service and no issues with refreshments. My record is 4 coffees on a trip to York or 5 (and two orange juices) on the run to Edinburgh! But over the course of the day it does slip a little, things like not being able to get a hot drink like you found. The price difference is also greater due to more people travelling at that time so I rarely think it's worth it. PS - the Newcastle lounge isn't quite as nice as Edinburgh (mainly as it's smaller) but it's still pretty good. There's a sand sculpture of the Tyne Bridge which is pretty interesting, along with similar mod cons to what you saw at Edinburgh. I was only in it the other day so this door issue must be very recent!

[@tonywinward]

When I did first class on an LNER Azuma we had hot drinks on board and also a menu for hot food. I got a vegan sausage roll and a coffee. They were very nice!

[@roberthallam6741]

Pretty generous score for a first-class lounge that had ONE muffin!

[@ohheyitskevinc]

This is a great advert for using standard class. Btw those travel KZbinrs who leave the camera on the platform to video themselves stepping onto trains always make me laugh. Like we know they quickly scurried back to grab the GoPro before the train took off 😂

[@carradalebear4446]

Fantastic seeing the Union flags in Newcastle 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍👍👍

[@paradisehotel5005]

12:20 The treats seemed stingy.

[@SNPPS]

Are you planning on doing a concluding video to discuss all pros and cons of all the services you’ve sampled? Be interesting to hear what improvements the various companies could make aswell as what things you think they are doing right. Seems all the issues with LNER you had were through misfortune rather than the product being bad, as you said a rereview at a later date to see if it was a one off would be a great excuse to travel first class again!

[@iamsquicky]

I do like the 1st class lounge at Edinburgh - I've used it quite a few times over the years. You can get some good bargains with LNER 1st if you aren't 100% tied down to an exact time/date. I've used their lounge at Berwick a few times too - cosy but functional. Perfect to get an espresso before heading off as I find the onboard coffee a weak americano. Like another comment said, their allergy related food offerings has significantly reduced over the years so I have to pack something to ensure I have something to eat.

[@lewiss626]

I must say you picked a bad day for LNER they are usually really good and i would go as far to say they offer the best first class product normally compared to any other operator. Such a shame your journey didnt go great 😢. Great vid tho ❤❤

[@TheROLLER1953]

😂

[@jackcrawford3921]

I went to Newcastle last year for the opening rugby league world cup match (England vs Samoa), took TransPennine Express up from Leeds, then stopped overnight and took CrossCountry back to Leeds the day after

[@baseballfan99]

I prefer how they do it in Spain,France etc, just charge a relatively small upgrade for better seats and nothing else. The food you do get on an expensive Spanish ticket was just like a microwave meal so I avoided it. I am sure on LNER or it may have been GNER an advanced First did not allow lounge access or at least not not at Kings Cross. As for Newcastle Manors station is worth a visit if only for the interesting route to access it. The pedestrianised Northumberland Street used to be the main A1. The Big River Bakery does the best Stottie cakes and Frankie and Tony’s sandwich bar does the best sandwiches, queues out the door at lunchtime.

[@EuroDC1990]

Definitely got them on an off day there. I've generally found LNER first class to be fantastic. Excellent selection of food and drinks including alcoholic drinks. In terms of the headrests I've noticed that the Azumas have two different types of headrests - the one seen here is a very hard and uncomfortable one which people often remove, you are able to put it back on again if you know how. Some of them have nice soft cushioned ones, though I've no idea why they don't all have those ones as they're much better. I've got to say though as good as LNER first class is, it was best when it was East Coast. I remember a trip a friend and I took from Edinburgh to Doncaster and we happened to be the only people in first class all the way as far as York. They asked us what we wanted to drink and when we both ordered wine they left us with a 1.5L bottle of wine each plus some spirits and mixers too! Had two full meals on board as well as various snacks, we were given a load of biscuits to take home with us. I'm a larger guy and can (or rather could at the time) handle a fair bit of alcohol but felt a little tipsy getting off the train. My friend on the other hand who is a petite 5'0" literally fell off the train in Doncaster!

[@gxhall]

We've used the 1st class lounge in Edinburgh a few times and found it pretty good I don't know if they still do it but at Peterborough you could get a voucher and get drinks and snacks in the Hotel opposite the station

[@andrewwilliamson4356]

Even the very last train out of London, i received full first class service, including tea, the sandwiches are made in Middlesbrough just like the steel for both bridges, beckleberrys make lovely ice cream. I always found the north east crews to be the best. But when it was east coast was clear llllll😊😊

[@TarrelScot]

Great review. I like the scoring system. Might be useful to comment on and add in to the score some of the practical issues such as punctuality. No matter how good the bells and whistles, the experience would be ruined for me if I was sitting on the edge of my seat wondering if I’m going to make my connection! We’re doing the Inverness-London run on Wednesday in 1st. That 8 hour run in Standard is virtually intolerable in those new “Ass-Zumas”! Worth pointing out also that LNER have a hierarchy of catering offerings, depending on which train you’re on. On Wednesday we get the top-of-the-tree “Dine” menu which includes a full breakfast and a cooked lunch, plus drinks (technology permitting!😂). There’s a timetable on the website that shows which trains offer which menu.

[@colin.d]

No hot drinks seemed incredible. Kind of basic I would have thought.

[@fdk7014]

Exactly. How do they not have an electric kettle on that train?

[@iainjones5002]

@@fdk7014 That would mean someone had to have passed a training course on how to work it and satisfy 'elf and safety too!

[@keithparker1346]

​@@iainjones5002don't mock safety of working areas

[@ludwig327]

The saga continues

[@andrewstorm8240]

Train longes always feel an after thought

[@eugenedonaghy1]

The team on the north side of the River Trent also play in black and white

[@petecoventry6858]

I used to be a travelling Chef and LNER was my fav due to the sheer size of the kitchen on board - much bigger than Virgin's was

[@kevinmcanulty2593]

will you publish final scores on completion? great video as usual thanks

[@kathchandler4919]

Same architects for the Tyne and SYDNEY Bridges which , until fairly recently were situated on Newcastle Quayside , both manufactured and built by Dorman Long of Middlesborough ie both born in the North East of England 🎉

[@mikestravelshow]

Newcastle is brilliant 👏

[@Bravada]

I have only experienced the London Lounge when travelling to Scotland. Was a fantastic lounge and the staff en route were also first class and had plenty to eat and drink including hot, I am away again next month so I hope the standard I am used to remains. terrible to not have alternative options for Newcastle Lounge no excuse for cold drinks only en route.

[@aurelienammeloot1230]

Might be worth reviewing either for an entire journey to/from King’s Cross. Used it twice for a £16-£17 upgrade by buying an off peak standard ticket or advance ticket and upgrading with the SeatFrog app. Also pick a “dine” service, you’ll get a full fry-up or if on the lunch/dinner one plenty of refreshments including wine and beer. Different experience. They have a timetable of the level of service on their website. Did an afternoon London-Edinburgh journey once with enough complimentary gin to need a nap afterwards. My last Edinburgh-London trip at 8.30am we had fry up and hot drinks, unfortunately when we were near London around 12 I would have appreciated a can of Diet Coke or similar they didn’t have.

[@h4lo]

Seatfrog is great; I always used to use it when I studied in Edinburgh. Sadly never got to use one of the "dine" services. Also, as per Scotland's laws for selling alcohol, they stop serving it after 10pm once across the border which caught us out once.

[@Lee_303]

For a quicker journey (especially through Peterborough 😄), on the same kind of train, use Lumo

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Notts County, the other Magpies, have black and white stripes too.

[@Kats4Brekkie]

LNER first class used to be pretty amazing and worth it. Frankly the standard class seating is one of the reasons I go 1st now, but only if it's a small price increase. Azuma's are so dreadful for long journeys. Imagine being stuck 4 hrs on an awful hard seat and 1st looks tempting. But their complimentary side has gone cheap and down hill now. I do enjoy a sneaky change at York/Peterborough when heading down that line to London, as I feel you get money worth with a double 1st service. The "meal" is a snack. You often find that either down to Newcastle, or up from Newcastle that the complimentary stuff is lacking. Either run out, or not working, like the hot drinks. I think it's the staff change that often happens at Newcastle, but also poor planning and staff not being present enough (not their fault, not enough staff) to do the rounds through the 1st carriages. It's random and luck whether they have a full complimentary service running now around that area. Dietary products that used to be a big option has dwindled down to nothing effectively, so you end up having to bring your own food. The wifi is the fastest it's ever been, purely because it was so atrocious previously that anything is faster... I stock up on crisps and a bottle of water at the lounge, and if the coffee machine is working correctly, also a coffee to take on board cus it's hit and miss. And don't forget that they run the catering carriage in standard, so it's not like the whole train has nothing. Conveniently you can purchase drinks and such like from there if it's not in 1st!

[@elta6241]

The seats are not great.

[@karlgalway7605]

Considering the departure lounge was closed I felt they should have like given out some coupons for snacks or a minor compensation as one of the reasons people pay for first class is to enjoy the lounge before the journey.

[@JohnSmith-bx8zb]

Best first class lounge I have ever used was the OBB at Innsbruck

[@MrCobo04]

my experiance with 1st class on LNER (London to Newcastle), was much the same, work being done on thje London lounge, my reserved seat was taken by someone else who had a ticket for the later service and refused to move, even when LNER staff told him to. no tea/coffee on board and only 'cold' food, sandwhiches etc. at least the toilets worked, so hmm my score would be a lot lower.

[@TomCro73]

This cr@p's become too widely tolerated. Did you consider grabbing his bag, 'helping' him to relocate?

[@simonbaker6962]

The lounge at Edinburgh is very good. Especially at Xmas time.

[@Tozzyy11]

I had a completely different experience on LNER’s first class, we had hot drinks and alcohol available on the train, the first class lounge in Newcastle isn’t too bad in my opinion and there wasn’t any broken seats, toilets or doors. Amazing video though ❤

[@smoothmicra]

I live in Leeds and travel frequently to London KGX on LNER (Spurs season ticket holder) booking first class from time to time. I rate it, great seats and food/drink service. The first class lounge at KGX is fab, loads of seats (family friendly) and charging ports. Complimentary food and drink in the lounge, with clear visibility of departing trains. You got them on a bad day me old china.

[@TheROLLER1953]

😂

[@shaunmccrudden3287]

The head rest was not broken a lot of customers take them off as they find them uncomfortable but can be put on very easily I wish you done the same trip from Aberdeen to Edinburgh you would see a better service

[@jamiescurrmusic9883]

For TPE review gotta recommend a train on the West coast main line as it’s serviced by the Nova fleet exclusively and passes Carlisle where TPE trains can restock food and drink items

[@hey12542]

Love 💗 love ❣️ love 💖 Newcastle, it's my favourite city in the whole of England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿. Only thing is the Tyne Bridge needs a freshen up to be fair.

[@BenCG]

I think you were very generous with your score. 30 quid isn't bad for a first class fare but if that had been from London it would have been well over 200 and I would have been seeking a refund with that experience. Greggs food is probably nicer than whatever they're serving. You should go with Mister Marsh to Japan and try out the Green Car bullet trains. That'll put things into perspective!

[@happysporran]

Edinburgh saves the day

[@herschell64]

LNER is who I always try to go with if going first class, even if there's no hot food or hot drinks available they usually do their best do inform you and apologise for the lack of catering that day, that's what I like about them

[@kimmarsh5387]

Hi Scott well bought up Iin Sydney well I never.You should go back and do a few clips.

[@amcluesent]

Please do a video on SeatFrog to bid on 1st class upgrades

[@lazerjetjordanscottcrawfor2008]

if you are go into Cafe Andaluz and ask if someone named Andrew Crawford works here to day

[@PaulGodfrey]

You get plenty coffee and a bacon roll in the morning. But the main advantage of LNER 1st class is you avoid the buttock resistant bolt upright seating of standard class.

[@thomascook578]

The hitachi seats have got to be the worst ever, same complaints on gwr, lumo and scotrail, I don't understand the UKs love fest for the hitachi trains, they're bog standard

[@user-xh3lz9xt4l]

Newcastle used to play in red and white before changing to black and white.

[@andrewdarley8988]

Having travelled first class on LNER, GWR, Cross-Country, South West trains and Caledonian sleeper definitely rate the LNER Azuma service as the best. In a recent return trip to Inverness highlight was not as expected the Caledonian sleeper but the trip from Inverness to York. In all trains who simply don't care. No catering whatsoever on a three hour trip and scheduled stops cut out at random when running late.

[@darrenmoss6921]

Was you at the St Mirren game yesterday, thought I’d seen you, then just heard you say your a St Mirren fan.

[@thomascrown3816]

You need to go further north on LNER…. Going north, not south, Dundee to Aberdeen service evaporates frequently (on train every couple weeks) - hot drinks are a REAL issue. Used to use Newcastle First Lounge and it was very good.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Thank you. What was the timekeeping like ? Is it really a zooma ?

[@jonron4729]

👍👍👍

[@AtlanteanAN69]

I did Edinburgh to Aberdeen on LNER 1st Class in August and the onboard service was top class. The only downside was that on cornering my glass of beer shot across the tableand into the aisle. Fortunately refreshments are complimentary and the steward witnessed what happened and gave me a replacement straight away. The ride quality of those satsuma trains isn't the best, but the seats on LNER are better than on similar trains with other operators.

[@AECS2299]

I'd be interested to know when you filmed this, the door was broken on 3rd of October too when I tried to use it!

[@peonycottageboutique4154]

When we visit the UK and Ireland every year or two, we use public transit only. No rental car. We have limited experience with ScotRail and LNER. This year we had booked first class tickets through ScotRail (Edinburgh-Aberdeen) but when we picked up the tickets found out we'd be on LNER. How does that work? Anyway, our experience was excellent. We departed on time, late in the morning. Our seats were comfortable, everything was very clean, staff were friendly and attentive. We had delicious hot food and drinks (hot/cold, alcohol/soft drinks). A really positive experience all round. We didn't know there were lounges available but with our timing, we wouldn't have been able to use them anyway.

[@davidwelch6796]

I think you were generous with your scoring. No hot beverages available, not good. At the lounge that was open I believe I saw a number of tables that needed clearing and just one cake available, whilst what use is a shower without towels? I was also shocked to note that the views from the carriage windows appeared to be the same in both first and second class. You did not get much for the extra cost of your first class ticket.

[@TomCro73]

[With all respect mate] May we ask what you expected to see out of a First Class window? Sydney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain? ;)

[@davidwelch6796]

@@TomCro73 Yep, any of the above would certainly make me think the additional fare was well worth while.

[@desertfox486]

Agree. The offering here was average at best. Not worth the extra money.

[@TomCro73]

@@desertfox486 All depends - I'd the pleasure of riding the up Highland Chieftain from its origin, in the final months of it being HST operated. Bought tix well in advance, and happily ponied up for First. Wonderful journey I'll never forget - comfy leather seats, complimentary hot food, not busy at all - just myself and a few adjacent folks who I got chatting with - all leisure travelers who'd decided to spend a little extra to enjoy a few hours' luxury. That said, a previous employer furnished me with a 1st class season ticket for my 20 minute commute, for 3 years - at their expense. I opined that this was silly, and volunteered to downgrade to save their shareholders some money. They muttered something about "policy" and ignored me after that. Mondo bizarro...