I Tried Avanti West Coast's NEW First Class From London to Liverpool - Have They Improved?

I travelled up with Avanti West Coast to make my way up to Liverpool last month to check out the new Class 777, which as many of you know is a huge risk these days given their poor reliability. So have Avanti West Coast improved and met the 6 month hard deadline set for them? We find out in this video!
Journey Details:
Date of Travel - February 2023
Operator - Avanti West Coast
Train type - Class 390 “Pendolino”
Origin - London Euston
Destination - Liverpool Lime Street
Price - £56.75 (Advance Single plus Seatfrog upgrade including 16-25 Railcard discount of 1/3)
Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video!
Music from EpidemicSound and is used under license.
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Link to the Avanti West Coast first class menu: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/onboard/first-class/first-class-menus
#avantiwestcoast #pendolino #class390 #refurbishedpendolino #wcml #euston #avanti #liverpool #london #travel #trains #tripreport #vlog

[@470danadidas]

I quite agree. The new departure boards at Euston are more confusing than the old ones. Always enjoy the ride on the Pendolino.

[@TherymasterWidnes]

I used Virgin when I was based in London with the Artillery. It was a fantastic service. I haven’t had the pleasure of using Avanti…….

[@simondavey7787]

Thank you for an excellent trip report. Really enjoyed it. You've won a new subscriber. Like you, I prefer the old departure boards at Euston.

[@Asia141]

I love avanti west coast’s ads, I just love the music so much!

[@downonthestour]

Great Video as Per Midland. I have to say I enjoy Avantis FC offering during the morning.

[@ozmac8695]

Enjoyed it for the most part but the reminders of past videos does get a bit wearing. I’ve liked and subbed anyway. Did this trip in September 2022. Breakfast was a full English Gla - Eus.

[@DIEMLtdTV]

I travel on Avanti pretty much weekly and still not have been on a refurbished unit. What I have had is the new first class menu which is a vast improvement. Last week I had the beef stew one way and the biryani salad the next day and both were excellent. On the breakfast service up to EUS this week which has never dipped in quality. They seem to have got their act together as outbound LIV to EUS arrived on time and the return the next day arrived 4 minutes early. A note about the concourse screens at EUS. They were installed less than 10 years ago and a fall arrest system had to be installed behind as when the old screens were removed it was only a thin layer of Perspex to protect workers from a fall. Not keen on the new screens and they are too busy and what would Euston be without everyone looking upwards towards the platforms?

[@Bungle2010]

Less than 10 years ago? The old displays were ~20 years old.... That's why they needed replacing.

[@DIEMLtdTV]

@@Bungle2010 They were replaced like for like but with extra safety features such as a fall arrest system and safety glass fronts. I was working for the contractor who did it. It was about 2015 as I was working on SCADA.

[@SeanMidlandstransporthub]

Brilliant video mate! Good to see my local of Rugby 😁

[@Del-bm]

Great informative video, thanks for sharing this with us

[@grangetowncardiff6935]

Excellent video. Looking forward to your review of the new loco hauled TfW service from Manchester to Cardiff. A great improvement on the old (often two coach) 175's (?)

[@spottymaxy1628]

Hopefully they pick up their game otherwise the class 805 may be the nail in the coffin

[@manomaylr]

How?

[@spottymaxy1628]

@@manomaylr last thing you’d want is for their new trains (that’ll replace the voyagers) to be bad

[@spottymaxy1628]

Doubt it will be though considering it has better stats even if it has a lower top speed

[@steve3291]

Today's phrase is 'putting lipstick on a cow'. That sums up Avanti and their refurbishment. Let's face facts, the refurbished trains are less comfortable than the un-refurbished trains. I was lucky enough to get the Class 91 to Leeds on LNER this week both ways with the lovely comfy seats not the ultra-thin, backbreaking, ultra-uncomfortable memory-foam seats that seem to be permeating the rail network these days on both East and West Coast lines. Avanti - it's a lottery whether the train runs. I just turn up and get on the first train I see which is often late running service prior to my cancelled train. I can then have a row with the guard as I am on the wrong train even though the one I booked is cancelled (if they bother to do ticket checks, often they don't because the guard may be lynched). The only advantage of Avanti is the cheap cost of tickets because invariably I get most of my money back through delay-repay. Virgin were fantastic, Avanti are utterly, utterly shambolic, an embarrassment and should be stripped of the franchise.

[@thomasfy4]

Virgin were so good, don’t understand how Avanti have ruined this product.

[@chriso8485]

Cheap too

[@markwa546]

Because branson is a 1st class bell end

[@Unclemiffato100]

I agree . I miss Virgin

[@KayvonAdhami]

Avanti's contract expires in 1 month and 6 days

[@christopherbentley5216]

​@@KayvonAdhamiThey just got another 9 years

[@edmundcarew7235]

I had zero problems when using Avanti WC last year, so as someone from foreign climes it's hard for me to understand what the problem is. All my trains ran to within 15 minutes of the timetable, the on-board comfort was great (except even in 1st on the up many seats face backwards) and the meals/refreshments excellent.

[@rituwebpro]

ong. People are so greedy these days.

[@Tw19475]

Us Brits are experts at taking what we have for granted and treating a 2 minute delay like the downfall of society.

[@housey4297]

Not quite. I get pissed off when I pay for a premium service that is cancelled, has zero premium service such as no food, coffee etc and is then declassified. @@Tw19475 I have zero issue with declassified passengers, my issue is with Avanti needing to do this. Their service has been terrible and they are being called out on it. No one gives a crap about a 2 minute delay who uses it all the time, it is irrelevant. Ive been traveling from Stafford, Lichfield and Birmingham International not London for 20 plus years, I know what is good and what is bad.

[@kevinellis8869]

A robust and reliable timetable is far more important than upgrading train interiors, witness the 222 Meridians on the MML, whilst they're uncomfortable at least they provide a halfway decent timetable.

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

The passenger numbers arriving in Holyhead on Avanti for the ferries to Dublin is growing all the time and the same is true on daytime ferries from Ireland - having made this trip on SailRail for over 20 years, both daytime and overnight, summer and winter, living in Manchester and with extended family in Ireland, the overnight option is not recommended, as you are left waiting in Holyhead for over 4 hours until 04.25 for the first train once the Irish Ferries Ulysses docks at 00.20

[@LewisYamanoteAintReal]

Im gonna study abroad in London, and I think for my gap year. I might spend my time in the UK. Heard about this thing called the rail card.

[@jacobporrett]

Excellent video Midland

[@michaeljohndennis2231]

Living in Manchester and using SailRail when going home to Ireland, with HS2 and many other issues, like the shelving (again) of the high-speed rail tunnel between Holyhead and Dublin, what drives me insane is the lack of enough high quality direct trains between Manchester Victoria and Holyhead, where I’m not even bothered about first class nor express services - Platform 13 at Manchester Piccadilly (especially if connecting from Manchester Metrolink) is a real hassle for SailRail services on both Transport For Wales, Northern Rail and Avanti and changing trains at Chester and Crewe is a real pain, especially with heavy luggage - services outbound from Manchester Piccadilly don’t even call at Deansgate/Castlefield (which is an easier connection from Metrolink) so I’ve ended up having to get the Metrolink to Manchester Victoria, Northern Rail to Chester and either Transport for Wales or Avanti to Holyhead or failing that, getting these services at Manchester Oxford Rd - it’s the same on the return leg from Holyhead via Chester into Manchester, where I’d always choose Manchester Victoria if available rather than Piccadilly

[@Jakeso]

7:04 See it, see it, sorted! 🤣

[@alpenroseable]

thank you for showing how it is outside the trainstation but please more seconds longer nice video

[@jayceeyoukay7321]

Ridiculous idea with the departure boards at Euston. Seem to recall them trying something similar at Waterloo a few years ago. It didn't last!

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Damn good presentation

[@thomasfy4]

I do hope they keep in the delay repay structure as I had a bit of luck with it. I bought a one way advanced first class ticket from London Euston to Blackpool, only to find when I got to Euston, it was cancelled. At staff discretion I was told I could get on the next Glasgow service and sit in first class (about 10 mins after my original train) and change at Preston, I was happy enough with this as I’ve often been on this route. A few days later I got an email advising my entire ticket was being fully refunded because of the delay/cancellation as the next direct service to Blackpool was about 5 hours after the one I was planning to get (only 2/3 direct services to Blackpool, I believe). I was unable to cancel the refund as it was already being processed. My £90 ticket was refunded but I still managed to get to my destination well under the threshold of a full refund and the perks of first class. What do you think? Should I have said something? The communication from Avanti was that the next direct Blackpool service was 5 hours away.

[@barbarahannon6033]

The same thing happend to my sister and myself with LNER firsr class service a few years ago as we could not go beyond Newcastle to our destenation which swas Edinburghh were told we could go first class on the Avantie going through Edinburgh to Glasgow at no extra cost.

[@tiffanizzle]

just keep the refund!

[@Debbiestrainsandtoys]

Nice you caught the car train which one of them is now run by GBRF

[@paulroach2538]

Hi Went to Liverpool last weekend on the refurbished train no problems with it ' but it uesd to be 2hrs 15 minutes ' now 2hrs 21 minutes.

[@paulmasterson386]

Originally virgin planned for 140mph running on the west coast,30 years later and its still not achieved.

[@Camymanc]

Commuting on Avanti has been a nightmare recently.

[@Sarahbryson321]

Perhaps

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Nice livery though!

[@roblancs]

Did they periodically show the carriage's CCTV feed on the timetable display as a deterrent? Or do they turn that off in First Class..?

[@PlayMoreGolf-RipOff]

FYI Tamworth is in Staffordshire not Warwickshire

[@stevenfoleyuk9404]

Bring back Intercity trains , upgrade the standard of Food onboard . It will be a winner with Mk3 Coaches as they are very comfortable . They also carry more passengers

[@intothemultiverse1033]

I’ve travelled quite a bit between Euston and Manc/Liverpool in the last few months. This product in the video is far superior to the older trains.

[@mudchute4dlr]

‘See it, see it, sorted’

[@JosephRawsthorne31]

They should of never got rid of virgin trains.

[@shyguypromotions]

I miss the old Euston boards.

[@jay-xo9dx]

The shop covers the same space that it used to

[@manomaylr]

14:23 would you call these InterCity 225? Or does that only apply to the LNER fixed formation of 91 + 9x Mk4?

[@morganpritchard5632]

Has to be a class 91 loco to be a proper intercity225 set

[@alanshelly7068]

Buddy when do the new trains come into use

[@TheLordHiggs]

New Euston Screens have ruined the station. Now the restaurants on the 2nd level are unable to see the boards. Such a waste of money on something that wasn't broken.

[@Bungle2010]

They needed replacing.............

[@j3xk72r9]

I really hate that blue interior lighting by the luggage space.

[@Morning404]

I actually really like that 🙈

[@pritamkoli]

Five star coverage

[@manomaylr]

7:04 “see it, see it, sorted?” Avanti don’t want us to say anything cus they can’t be bothered lol

[@6yjjk]

Avanti: Seedy, faded, sordid

[@LoneSheWolf09]

I thought virgin was going back to rail franchise? Hinted enough on fb about it now it’s gone quiet.

[@manomaylr]

Do you think the West Coast Partnership will go to the OLR?

[@gcarter1973]

Used to be 2hr 10 min.

[@IngramCars]

I've always had a good experience with Avanti, who im my opinion are better than GWR's 1st class offering, but LNER is far superior.

[@gwrydd]

16:38 stunning views of liverpool? thats west bank you're showing which used to be stunning but has very much gone down hill unfortunately

[@MichaelBurrichter-jh4mk]

I am based in America and have recently booked through Avanti West for travel in about a week. I've tried to download the app so that I can store the tickets electronically, but I cannot log in - app is asking for username, password (no problem) and something called TMC. Does anyone know what that is?

[@redtkdguy]

Milton Keynes was declared to be a city in 1967, 57 years ago.

[@jamiel0985]

Avanti need stripping of the franchise unfortunately. Just too many letdowns with delays and cancellations.

[@half_century_techie]

What's the speed tracker app you use in your posts?

[@richardwills-woodward]

Not as plush as 1980's and 90's first class. This is no better than standard from the last century.

[@thomasfy4]

How big/tall are you for the legroom comparison?

[@Westlondontransportguy7045]

I travel on london northwestern railway all the time

[@thomasfy4]

Standard premium is a bit of a con

[@the_9ent]

How come?

[@daffyduk77]

Good video, which I "liked". At 8:11 you seemed to want to pretend to be American by saying "levver", shame. You need the accent to match

[@Danny-mv9qj]

And he said 'aircharge' - is that American for wireless charging? Also the camera quality is very poor. He should just use is phone.

[@PinguVlogsOffical]

Haters will say: take circle 🤓☝️

[@LBG252_TheEastLondonBusGuy]

Refurbished Pendolinos Are The Best!

[@Paradice4Life]

Seat frog used to be great when it was less popular and used to have cheap upgrades. But the prices increased. Doesn't help People seem to bid silly Money.

[@manomaylr]

15:28 if I’m in government when the Pendolinos finally go, I might just revive the InterCity APT with modern technology, interiors and the rest… of course by then ERTMS may well be a reality.

[@biggsieboi]

Indicator screens are rubbish, reinstate the old board

[@chriso8485]

I missed Everton vs Aston Villa because this awful company once again can't run trans on time

[@cliveomahoney4096]

I believe that your time would be better spent not bothering with quasi criminal organisations like Avanti, whose total uselessness, apathy, greed and irresponsibility are totally clear. Instead, inspire us with transport networks that aren't based on shady political connections, graft and other malfeasance.

[@trevorjones3273]

Avanti has a strange idea of what the west coast is. There is only one genuine west coast rail route and that is from Exeter to Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh, via Bristol TM and Birmingham New Street. The west coast is the Bristol Channel and River Severn, then the Irish Sea, not a squiggly route from London in the East across the Midlands to Liverpool.

[@Bungle2010]

What does it have to do with Avanit? It's the West Coast Main Line, that's what it's called...............

[@mudchute4dlr]

avanti was not the one who chose to call it the west coast, rather i thinknits the DfT (could be wrong)

[@rodericde876]

Ironically, Avanti was given an Italian name to honour the fascist dictator Musolini who was said to have made the trains run on time.

[@masonlawson649]

An awful company if you are disabled

[@genuinepetermorgan]

euston :( its a godforsaken wasteland

[@Westlondontransportguy7045]

The new boards are ok

[@housey4297]

Well I use Avanti on average once a week, sometimes more. Their service has been terrible for sometime and I have not seen a significant improvement as at this week. So many trains cancelled, so many with no service in first class, so many with excuse after excuse and embarrassed staff. You need to travel often on a service I feel to form a perspective.

[@alechlfc]

Like LNER

[@johnlawrence2757]

Been on AWC several times never had a problem - if late get generous compensation (by law) kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6mmZpmVlLWSabMsi=NQ-QIGsoFp-EZUhY but I support nationalisation on principle not just as tories used it to hospitalise ailing patient then return it to private sector Don’t know why a private business would want to run a railway anyway : constant source of headache one would think