October 2022. As we wanted to test Trenitalia‘s Frecciarossa 1000 service from Paris to Milan, we planned a rail trip around it. From Antwerp to Paris with Thalys, the ‘Red Arrow’ to Milan and once in Italy continuing to Trieste and Bologna. The return trip took us to Basel in Switzerland to enjoy SBB‘s panoramic coach and Germany‘s Rhine route to Cologne. From there we got back to Belgium.
In December 2021, Trenitalia launched a high speed train service between Milan and Paris. A connection also served by SNCF‘s InOui (TGV) brand. Knowing how an InOui train feels, we wanted to sample the Frecciarossa 1000 on that route. Some seven hours in the high-end Business Executive class.
Frecciarossa 1000
The Frecciarossa 1000, classified as ETR 1000, was co-developed as a joint venture between Italian rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail Italy (initially AnsaldoBreda) and multinational conglomerate Alstom (initially Bombardier Transportation). Both design and production work were divided between the two partner companies.
Design work on the train began in 2008, with considerable design work performed by Bertone. It was heavily based on existing products, including Bombardier’s Zefiro and AnsaldoBreda’s V250 trains. The design was modified in order to conform with the requirements of the Trenitalia tender. In 2010, the ETR 1000 was selected and a total of 50 trainsets were ordered to meet Trenitalia’s needs.
The ‘Red Arrow’ 1000 has four classes:
- Standard (2nd class).
- Premium (‘economy plus’).
- Business (1st class).
- Business executive (1st class premium).
As Danny and I are luxury queens for these things, we booked Business Executive.
Business Executive
That must be really expensive, no? Actually not. We paid 165 euros per person. Nit cheap, but you get quite a lot in return. Our guess is the price is attractive as Trenitalia is making a point against SNCF on the popular route. Certainly the Paris – Lyon leg is a competitive one.
The train also stops in Chambéry, Modane and Turin.
Business Executive is located in the very first, or last, coach of the train. It features only ten seats, which look like a lounge seat. There’s also a meeting room and a shoe-cleaning contraption.
Life on board
Only ten people is a wonderfully comfortable amount. Business Executive has its dedicated attendant.
The seat rotates so you can choose if you want to sit in the direction of travel or not, or perhaps you want to face your travel mate. The seat has terrific recline, but is not lie-flat. The tablet is sturdy and large enough.
Obviously there is a toilet for the lucky ten. WiFi is (only as) good (as 4G coverage outside will allow).
The meeting room is for the working travellers. This Business Executive area would suit a travelling minister or head of state very well.
The ride is what it is. It’s still a train, on rails, and sometimes that gets a bit bumpy and shaky. I think all passengers in the cabin had a bottle or glass falling at one point or another. But no dramas, fortunately.
Catering the journey
The Frecciarossa Business Executive class has all for a ‘far from the madding crowd’ premium experience.
It does deliver, but our journey had a few hiccups. One of the seats was malfunctioning so that fellow passenger had to lie semi-flat all the time. Another fellow traveller was very loud on her phone – all the time. Fortunately the ‘victim’ of the ill-functioning seat went to ask her to tone it down. Luckily she did, sort of.
Our first – French – attendant accompanied us to Chambéry. She was not in the mood. She only came once for drinks. If you wanted more, you had to ask her proactively. Also, she wouldn’t serve food. “After Chambéry”, she said to passengers joining us in Lyon-Part-Dieu. Not to us.
The menu is extensible and you can order everything if you want, but she didn’t bother. She only took our order.
After Chambéry there was a staff change. An Italian attendant came in and presented herself and announced we would get our dinner soon. Although the start of dinner service was slow, she was very friendly and helpful. The galley is obviously small. She also had a trainee.
The food was pretty good. The menu offers quite a few options and you will not be hungry.
So?
Business Executive offered / offers great value for money. Not cheap, but you get a premium experience on a long train journey. As we travelled in the afternoon and evening, that as perfect.
We see ourselves travelling like this again.
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