Key facts
- Virgin has unveiled a mock-up of its future cross-Channel train.
- Virgin plans to launch rail services from London to continental Europe in 2030.
- The company has ordered 12 trains from Alstom.
- Virgin's new trains will draw inspiration from its airline, cruise, and hotel brands.
- Virgin has secured track access in the UK until at least 2040.
- Italy's Trenitalia is also expected to launch cross-Channel services with new trains from Hitachi.
Virgin has revealed a mock-up of its future cross-Channel train, signaling its intent to challenge Eurostar's dominance on the London-to-continent route. The company plans to launch services in 2030, with 12 trains on order from manufacturer Alstom. Virgin aims to differentiate its offering through superior design and customer experience, drawing inspiration from its established brands in the airline, cruise, and hotel sectors.
Virgin's approach will incorporate elements like airport lounge-style "pre-departure and onboard social spaces" for working, relaxing, or socializing, with food menus influenced by its cruise line and interior design by its hotel brand. Josh Bayliss, chief executive of Virgin Group, stated the company is leveraging over four decades of travel and hospitality experience to create a "genuinely new" offering and expects to add capacity for millions more international rail journeys annually.
The Office of Rail and Road has confirmed Virgin's track access in the UK until at least 2040 and an agreement for train maintenance at the Temple Mills international depot. Italy's state-owned Trenitalia is also preparing to enter the market, having ordered 19 new trains from Hitachi, some of which are intended for London-bound services through the Channel tunnel.