Is LNER Azuma *REALLY* Britain's Best First Class Train?

[@TravelSoGood]

What do you think of LNER? Would you travel First Class with them?

[@maimadha]

I would travels on LNER in first class but only if they kept the InterCity125 and InterCity225 sets as they were so much better than the Azumas

[@worigami]

Another great review ;-) I make the journey from York to Inverness a few times each year to visit family. I've never booked a first class ticket directly, I've always gone for a standard ticket and used Seatfrog to upgrade. Seatfrog bids have paid off more often than not. For a 7 hour journey I've had some fantastically cheap journeys, even with the upgrade, far cheaper than my 2 hour journey to London on EMR. The lounge at York is a pleasant place to pass the time waiting for the train. Onboard I would agree with the ride and I would also say that after a few hours in those seats become a little uncomfortable. Marginally more padding in first class but not ideal. Lots of legroom in both classes unless you're sharing a table. In terms of space both classes are very good, the table space in first is a bonus, the single seat better for lone travellers but you don't have a say on upgrades. The food service is what sets this apart, I've travelled since GNER days. In years gone by the food offering and frequency was excellent, they are reigning that in, now it can be a little hit and miss. Most journeys I've made have been shown as offering the Dine menu, quite often that has been scaled back to Dish and even Deli menus. Still not bad, and a good range of drink on offer, the beer is good. I have found that they will run out of menu options more quickly, I was fine returning from Inverness, the menu choice had shrunk for those joining only a few stops further down were told, "sorry, we're out of this and that". Oh, and I find you tend to have to ask if there is a hot food choice, maybe a deliberate thing to cut cost. This is one route where I seem to have much more success with phone reception and when that's limited, the Wi-Fi is passable. It's the one rail operator that I use, where I will look to put a reasonable bid in for a first class upgrade, it's the best of those I've travelled. I always book through LNER too, so have built up rewards to spend when I don't make it to first class. I have only ever had one delay, we were held for over an hour due to a landslip near Kingussie and the track needed to be checked. I thought I'd make the delay repay claim when I got home but LNER had proactively acknowledged the delay and refunded the ticket, wonderful. Very different to the battle with EMR.

[@madgewildfire-f6n]

I use LNER regularly between Stirling and Kings Cross and I can confirm that your video is a very fair representation of the experience. The service is tip-top and the on board staff work very hard to please you. The Avanti West Coast service is but a shadow of what LNER delivers.

[@donaldpolson5450]

True re LNER staff service and frequency of meals but unless you're fortunate enough to get the Dish offering, Advanti West Coast has better breakfast catering offer.

[@donaldpolson5450]

Great to see in all these LNER/King's X vids, finally someone uses the 1st Class shortcut to the platforms!

[@airspeed_alive]

Looks so good, my father worked for GNER and we used to get free limited first, and unlimited standard travel, went to Inverness many many times, I must do it with LNER sometime.

[@TravelSoGood]

Free travel sounds greats! Maybe I should get myself a job on the railways 🤔

[@MontytheHorse]

LNER is generally my first choice for travelling from Scotland to that London. I do think that they are very good in 1st Class. Maybe not quite as good as the service was under East Coast, but better than VTEC. I have noticed that they are a little less generous with the complimentary food than in the past. Still well worth it, IMVHO.

[@tonywilkins6090]

I have used LNER first class twice, both times edinburgh to London. Personally I would always recommend go first class, as pretty much when you book as soon as advance fares are released, its a bargain for first class. Last time i went first class £75 with the railcard discount for a 4.5 hour journey, and then had a 10% cashback thanks to Natwest rewards, so it became roughly £68 with the railcard discount. My last time I accidentally booked the wrong train (booked the 1 hour later) and by pure chance it was same price but instead it was the dine menu instead of the deli menu. Because of my "mistake" got to try the lovely honey mustard chicken and pearl barley casserole with bleached kale, as it was a dine only menu. Honestly that casserole was pretty much divine, and words cant describe how good it actually was. It was so good, when they offered a 2nd meal during the journey, of course I had to have it again. Oh the other thing is that I love about LNER is the drink/snacks services is quite frequent, at one point I had to hide the extra cans of lemonade and pepsi as wella s crisps/shortbread etc in my bag as I couldnt consume them all. I think I left the train with about 8 cans of lemonade/pepsi in my bag and about 5+ packs of shortbread and crisps (glad they dont do bag searches as I probably get asked about the drinks and snacks 🤣🤣) I think the only regret I have is that I never got to experience the first class on the HSTs, and yet to experience the 225's first class. Though the goal of doing the 225's first class on the 0540 edinburgh to london service is sadly a thing of the past. I know people gave bad reviews of the seats on the azuma'sbut to be honest the 1st class seats aren't that bad. I havent tried the standard ones (so I suspect thats where the criticism is more aimed at) but the first class ones dont seem to be bad, even with the 4 hour journey.

[@M-on7rl]

Loved the way you were eating that celery. Laughed a lot hehe

[@TravelSoGood]

🤦‍♀️

[@sarahhill1056]

Great video, I tend to use seat frog to upgrade, which whilst you get good prices I find the seat you have reserved will still say bookable when you get on. But looks like good service and selection of food and drinks

[@TravelSoGood]

The food is pretty good! I was sooo full when I got to Inverness

[@roberthillman5057]

When I travelled to Inverness in the 90s had proper cooked lunch and evening dinner and on return full cook breakfast and sandwiches in-between service plus London Edinburgh and Glasgow 50pound return all these cities from London today not value for money I also had car on the back of each train for an extra 70 pounds

[@TravelSoGood]

Sounds lovely. I always thought they should have car trains in the UK. Would make travelling long distances much more convenient

[@cathybonner7888]

I want to travel to York by train from Kings Cross and watching your video has been very helpful. Thank you

[@TravelSoGood]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LisaMarli]

I love traveling by train when possible and I live in America where train service leaves a lot to be desired. You see so much more of the country. That trip did look enjoyable. Calories consumed on trips don't count, right? 😉

[@TravelSoGood]

🤣 free calories are free calories!

[@elijah_trains]

Great video never tried lner azuma before but it seems very good for a video request I think you should try avanti class 390 and a transport for wales dvt and class 67 they are really nice

[@TravelSoGood]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. And I have done both Avanti and TfW in First Class - they'll be released on the channel in the coming weeks so stay tuned for those :)

[@elijah_trains]

@@TravelSoGood will do

[@GrahamOMara]

Seat frog for the win on LNER. Another great idea for a series of videos

[@TravelSoGood]

Thanks! I've never used seat frog but it's definitely something to consider

[@GrahamOMara]

Worth it for some companies more than others

[@countertony]

Most supermarkets of 'Teso' or 'Tesco Extra' size will sell Red Fox - it's indeed like a Red Leicester cheese, but slightly more flavourful if I remember correctly.

[@TravelSoGood]

Haha! I actually saw it in my local Tesco yesterday :)

[@TurboTimsWorld]

"Wiltshire ham" on LNER or "Swindon Swine" on GWR LOL

[@Andrewjg_89]

I have been on LNER to York, Leeds, Edinburgh Waverley and Doncaster. And wish that they would operate more services including to Scarborough, Hartlepool and Skegness. And they should have kept the Sunderland service.

[@annabelholland]

I really enjoy watching this video! (IMO) Not only does LNER have the best first class experience, but also has some of the best food. Its better for me to take a train to driving or flying.

[@TravelSoGood]

The food is pretty good and definitely some of the nicest complimentary first class food I've eaten on a train. But spoiler alert... there is nicer first class train food out there... stay tuned for that ;)

[@neilcrooks5516]

I travel on trains a lot and this is awesome

[@TravelSoGood]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@newlifesteev]

I just wondered if you paid for each of these journeys separately or did you get a 1st Class all over the country railrover?

[@TravelSoGood]

Good question. I had a 14 day 1st class rover ticket which is how I was able to afford 4 separate journeys LNER journeys! Plus it gave me flexibility to change my plans around disruption, which during my filming period happened twice when the West Coast mainline was closed near Carlisle! First due to flooding and another due to a freight train derailment

[@SociaCin]

I always get peckish watching these. Always nice to watch

[@TravelSoGood]

Haha! I'm always guided by my belly :)

[@SociaCin]

@@TravelSoGood Also, please don't be offended but I do associate you with tea.

[@TravelSoGood]

🤣🤣🤣 Why would a Brit be offended at that! But spoiler alert, after this series you'll probably associate me with wine instead 🥴

[@SociaCin]

@@TravelSoGood I kinda already do, tea is just at the forefront

[@neilcrooks5516]

Nice video

[@alanshelly7068]

Awesome video young lady from Alan in Lowestoft xx ❤😊

[@Kg-dp9wo]

It’s a boy

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

I like your vids a lot. Which is much better than not liking them, I'm sure you'll agree. But you do eat a lot of crisps! But then again, I drink a lot of wine. Hic! (and please don't review TfW service from Manc To Cardiff. I use it a lot. It's great) Keep it quiet. Oh bugger, I've just let the cat out of the bag. Pip Pip

[@TravelSoGood]

If they give me crisps, I'm gonna eat the crisps! All in the name of entertainment :) And I've already done it that TfW service - it'll be released in a few weeks' time. Stay tuned 😀

[@donaldpolson5450]

I don't know how anyone can sit backwards on a train - especially travelling at 125mph/200kph 🤢

[@scottmercer3260]

I love your hair!

[@TravelSoGood]

Thanks! It was freshly cut at the start of the series. This was day 9 of filming so just wait till you see a video from days 1 or 2 - it's gonna look even better!

[@camotech1314]

Still doesn't compare with continental Europe services

[@TravelSoGood]

Which one would you recommend in Europe the most? I wanna give them a review sometime

[@BobSmith-s7j]

Please specify the service you have in mind. I'm not disagreeing with you at all, but "continental Europe" is a big place with a lot of different rail experiences.

[@rajeffrey9958]

Traveling up to 'in vaness'? Dear oh dear. At least take the trouble to spell your destination correctly! Otherwise, quite informative and maintains interest throughout.

[@TravelSoGood]

Sounds like that's the auto-generated captions being weird again! Of course I know how to spell Inverness 🤣

[@maimadha]

The LNER Azumas are very bad trains and the seats are so comfortable