Avanti West Coast First Class: What You Get, How to Upgrade, and Is It Worth It?
Avanti West Coast operates three classes of travel on its Pendolino services — Standard, Standard Premium, and First Class. Each step up offers meaningfully different benefits, and the upgrade costs vary significantly by route and by how far in advance you book. Here’s exactly what each class includes, what the upgrades actually cost, and how to get one — including the auction-based Seatfrog option that can get you into First Class for less.
The Three Classes on Avanti West Coast
| Feature | Standard | Standard Premium | First Class |
| Seating | Standard seats | Roomier seats, wider tables | Spacious First Class seats |
| Guaranteed table | No | Yes | Yes |
| At-seat ordering | No | Yes (onboard shop) | Yes (included service) |
| Complimentary food & drink | No | No — purchase from shop | Yes — included throughout |
| Lounge access | No | No | Yes (at select stations) |
| Dedicated service | No | No | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Avanti First Class: What’s Included
Avanti West Coast First Class is a meaningfully different proposition from Standard, not just a wider seat. The key inclusions are:
- Complimentary food and drink throughout your journey: First Class passengers receive meals and drinks as part of the ticket price — the specific menu varies by time of day and is updated periodically. Breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner options are available depending on the service and departure time
- Dedicated onboard service: A dedicated host in First Class to manage food and drink service and assist throughout the journey
- Spacious seating: First Class carriages on the Pendolino have 2+1 seating (two seats on one side, one on the other) compared to the 2+2 configuration in Standard, giving each seat significantly more space
- First Class Lounges at select stations: First Class ticket holders can access Avanti’s lounges at major stations for up to one hour before departure
- WiFi: Available across all Avanti services and classes
The food and drink service is one of the most discussed aspects of First Class on Avanti — it is included, and on longer journeys (London to Glasgow, London to Edinburgh) represents a substantial amount of food across a four-plus-hour journey. For shorter routes (London to Birmingham, around 80 minutes), the food service is more limited by the available time.
Avanti First Class Lounges
Avanti’s First Class Lounges are available at the following stations for passengers travelling First Class:
- London Euston
- Birmingham New Street
- Manchester Piccadilly
- Glasgow Central
- Edinburgh Waverley
The lounges offer hot drinks, snacks, newspapers, and high-speed WiFi — all complimentary for First Class ticket holders. Access is available for up to one hour before departure. The lounge is a genuine benefit for passengers who arrive at the station early or want a quieter, more comfortable pre-departure environment than a busy station concourse.
Lounge access is tied to your First Class ticket, not to Standard Premium — Standard Premium passengers do not have lounge access. If lounge access is important to your journey, this is a meaningful differentiator between the two classes.
Avanti Standard Premium: The Middle Option
Standard Premium was introduced by Avanti West Coast as the first additional class of travel by a UK rail operator, sitting between Standard and First Class. It is available on Pendolino services across the West Coast Main Line. The key offer:
- Roomier seats and wider tables than Standard Class
- A guaranteed table reservation — unlike Standard Class where you may or may not have a reserved table seat
- At-seat ordering: passengers can order food and drinks from the onboard shop without moving from their seat, via the at-seat order function
- No complimentary food or drink — Standard Premium passengers pay for everything from the onboard shop
- No lounge access
Standard Premium seats are located in the carriages between First Class and Standard Class. Avanti’s website notes that whether this is at the front or the back of the train depends on which way the Pendolino is facing, but staff will point passengers to the right carriage.
Standard Premium Upgrade Costs by Route
Standard Premium is available as a fixed-price upgrade on top of your Standard Class ticket. Current prices from Avanti’s official website (June 2026):
| Route | Standard Premium Upgrade Price (one way) |
| London to Milton Keynes | £18 |
| London to Birmingham | £26.50 |
| London to Manchester / Liverpool / Preston | £40 |
| London to Glasgow / Edinburgh | £48 |
These prices are one-way upgrade costs on top of your existing Standard Class ticket. The upgrade can be purchased in advance via the Avanti website or app, or on the day by speaking to the Train Manager — though availability is subject to seat allocation and the in-advance option guarantees a reservation. For other routes not listed above, the Avanti online journey planner shows upgrade prices based on your specific journey.
How to Upgrade to First Class on Avanti West Coast
There are three ways to upgrade to First Class:
1. Before You Travel (via My Account)
If you have already booked a Standard Class ticket, you can upgrade via your Avanti West Coast account online or through the app. Sign in, go to My Bookings, select Upcoming Journeys, find the relevant trip, click Manage Booking, scroll down to Upgrade Ticket, and follow the steps. You pay the difference between your existing ticket and the equivalent First Class fare.
2. On the Day (via Train Manager)
At the station or on board, ask the Train Manager whether First Class upgrades are available on your specific service. If seats are available, you can upgrade and pay the difference on the day. Availability is not guaranteed and on busy services — particularly London to Manchester or London to Glasgow at peak times — there may not be any remaining First Class seats.
3. Via Seatfrog (Bid-Based Auction)
Seatfrog is an app that runs auction-based upgrade bidding for Avanti First Class seats. Auctions open between 24 hours and 30 minutes before departure, with starting bids typically low. If your bid wins, you get a First Class upgrade at that price. This is the route most recommended for last-minute travellers looking for a discounted First Class experience — there is no guarantee of winning, but a successful bid can secure significantly below the face-value upgrade price.
Standard Premium vs First Class: Which Is Worth It?
The answer depends heavily on your journey length and what you value:
| Consideration | Standard Premium | First Class |
| Extra space | Yes — roomier seat and wider table | Yes — 2+1 layout, spacious |
| Food & drink | Pay for everything | Included throughout |
| Station lounge | No | Yes (select stations) |
| Upgrade cost (London–Glasgow) | £48 | Difference to First Class fare |
| Best for | Short journeys where extra legroom is the main need | Longer journeys where food, drink, and lounge access justify the cost |
On a shorter journey like London to Birmingham (around 80 minutes), Standard Premium’s extra space and guaranteed table is often sufficient — the food service in First Class on a short journey is more limited, making the value difference less clear-cut. On a longer journey like London to Glasgow or London to Edinburgh (four-plus hours), First Class makes a stronger case: the included meals and drinks across the journey can represent significant value, and the lounge access at both ends of the trip adds meaningfully to the experience.
Can You Upgrade to First Class on the Day?
Yes — but it is not guaranteed. The on-the-day options are speaking to the Train Manager on board or using Seatfrog before departure. Both are subject to availability. On busy routes and peak services, First Class may already be fully booked or all upgrade seats sold before departure.
The safest approach is to upgrade in advance via your Avanti account if you know you want First Class. If you’re open to it but only at a lower price, Seatfrog’s auction from 24 hours before departure is the best option. Walking up to the Train Manager on board at the last minute is possible but the least reliable of the three methods.
What Is ‘Club Avanti’ and Avanti Premium Economy?
Searches for ‘Club Avanti’ likely reflect interest in Avanti’s booking account (My Avanti / My Account) and any loyalty or frequent traveller benefits. Avanti does not have a branded ‘Club Avanti’ membership programme as of mid-2026. The My Account function on avantiwestcoast.co.uk handles bookings, upgrades, and journey management, and business travel is handled separately through Avanti’s business accounts.
‘Avanti premium economy’ is a search term that reflects some confusion between rail and air travel terminology. There is no ‘premium economy’ class on Avanti — the equivalent offering is Standard Premium, which sits between Standard and First Class in a similar conceptual position to premium economy on long-haul flights. Standard Premium is the product to look at if ‘premium economy’ is the intent behind the search.
The Avanti First Class Menu
The Avanti West Coast First Class menu is one of the most searched aspects of the First Class offering. The menu rotates by season and time of service — what is available on a morning Birmingham to London differs from an afternoon London to Glasgow. Key points:
- Food and drink are complimentary for First Class ticket holders throughout the journey
- Menus are served by the onboard host rather than requiring passengers to visit the shop carriage
- Options typically include hot meals at lunch and dinner periods, breakfast items on morning services, and snacks and drinks throughout
- Vegetarian, vegan, and special dietary options are available on most services — requests can be accommodated where possible by the onboard team
The current First Class menu is published at avantiwestcoast.co.uk and updated when the menu changes — checking the official page shortly before travel gives the most accurate picture of what will be served on your specific service.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Avanti West Coast First Class include?
Avanti First Class includes complimentary food and drink throughout the journey, spacious 2+1 seating with a guaranteed table, dedicated onboard service, and access to First Class Lounges at London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Glasgow Central, and Edinburgh Waverley for up to one hour before departure.
How much does it cost to upgrade to Standard Premium on Avanti?
Standard Premium upgrades are fixed-price additions to your Standard Class ticket: London to Milton Keynes £18, London to Birmingham £26.50, London to Manchester/Liverpool/Preston £40, London to Glasgow/Edinburgh £48. These prices are from Avanti’s official website as of June 2026 and are subject to change.
Can you upgrade to First Class on the day of travel on Avanti?
Yes — either by speaking to the Train Manager on board (subject to availability) or by bidding via the Seatfrog app, which runs upgrade auctions from 24 hours to 30 minutes before departure. Advance upgrade via My Account is more reliable.
Does Standard Premium include food on Avanti?
No — Standard Premium does not include complimentary food or drink. Passengers can order from the onboard shop via at-seat ordering, but everything is at full price. Complimentary food and drink is a First Class benefit only.
Do Avanti First Class lounges require a booking?
First Class lounges are available to all passengers travelling First Class with Avanti, for up to one hour before departure. No separate booking is required — your First Class ticket is your entry to the lounge.
Final Thoughts
Avanti West Coast’s three-class structure gives passengers a genuine choice rather than just a binary standard-or-first decision. Standard Premium at £26.50-£48 extra (depending on route) is a reasonable upgrade for anyone who values extra space, a guaranteed table, and at-seat ordering without paying for the full First Class experience. First Class justifies its higher cost most clearly on the longer routes — London to Glasgow or Edinburgh — where four-plus hours of included meals, drinks, and lounge access across the journey represents solid value for business or leisure travellers who want a more comfortable long-distance experience. The Seatfrog auction route is the best option for cost-conscious travellers who are willing to try for a discounted First Class seat but are not relying on it.