Virgin Group has revealed the first details of its planned cross-Channel rail services, which are due to launch in 2030.
On Friday (9 October), the group unveiled the first image of its new black-and-red high-speed trains (main image) and outlined how its airline and hospitality brands will shape the traveller experience.
In a statement, the company said Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses will “inspire” pre-departure and onboard social spaces, “giving passengers more flexibility to work, relax or socialise in style”. Virgin Voyages’ onboard dining will influence the food and drink offer, while Virgin Hotels’ design ethos will “help inform the development of seating and onboard spaces”.
“Every design detail and customer touchpoint will be carefully considered and unmistakably Virgin, with accessibility built in from the outset,” the company said.
Virgin Group CEO Josh Bayliss added: “With our latest venture we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new.
“Virgin has always thrived on challenging the status quo and aimed to provide our customers with a great experience. We’ll bring the same approach to the cross-Channel route, making the journey something to look forward to as much as the destination.”
Passengers will be able to earn loyalty points through the Virgin Red programme, while the company will also “explore” closer integration between its rail and airline networks.
Virgin plans to introduce 20 daily return services linking London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, adding almost 7.5 million seats a year to cross-Channel routes.
Following an agreement with French rail group Alstom, Virgin will operate 12 Avelia Stream trainsets, which can reach speeds of up to 300km per hour.
The UK’s rail regulator greenlit Virgin’s cross-Channel plans in August, a decision contested by incumbent operator Eurostar.
Potential rivals, including Trenitalia, Spain’s Evolyn and UK-based Gemini Trains, have also expressed interest in launching cross-Channel services. However, Virgin is the only prospective new operator to have secured UK track access to the Channel Tunnel, with access confirmed until at least 2040.
Virgin said further details about its proposed services, trains and customer experience will be shared “in the coming months”.