Virgin reveals first glimpse of high-speed cross-Channel trains to launch in 2030
Virgin reveals first glimpse of high-speed cross-Channel trains to launch in 2030
Amelia NeathFri, October 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM UTC
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Virgin will be taking inspiration from its other travel businesses for the functionality and comfort of the trains
Virgin has revealed a first look at its new cross-Channel trains that are set to shuttle passengers between London and mainland Europe by 2030.
Richard Branson’s Virgin Group plans to re-enter the railway travel industry by the end of the decade after receiving approval to operate trains in the Channel Tunnel, creating competition for Eurostar.
It plans to introduce 20 daily return services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030.
Virgin has revealed a first glimpse of its fleet of 12 black-and-red Avelia Stream trains, capable of travelling up to 300km/h, which it plans to use for cross-Channel travel.
The group is taking influences from its other travel businesses, including air travel and cruise liners, to make up the customer experience for its train passengers.
The Clubhouse airport lounges that serve Virgin Atlantic customers, the company’s airline branch, will help inspire pre-departure and onboard social spaces.
Meanwhile, Virgin Voyages’ onboard dining will influence the food and drink offering, and the designs found in Virgin Hotels will help inform the development of seating and onboard spaces.
The company said it will also draw on its 20 years of experience operating Virgin Trains in the UK between 1997 and 2019.
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Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group, said: “Virgin has a proud history in UK rail. With our latest venture, we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new. This time, we’ll be connecting London with some of Europe’s greatest cities and giving passengers a distinctive new choice in cross-Channel travel.
Virgin offers first glimpse of new cross-Channel service planned from 2030 (Virgin)
“We’re confident that more journeys between the UK and Europe will be made by train. We’re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole. We’re looking forward to seeing our distinctive red and black trains travelling across Europe.”
Virgin Trains will also join the company’s loyalty platform, Virgin Red, allowing passengers to earn Virgin Points and spend them on future journeys, flights, hotel stays, cruises and experiences.
Virgin has also hinted that it will explore how rail and airline networks could work closer together, making it easier for international customers arriving in London with Virgin Atlantic to continue to France and other European destinations, while connecting passengers from France into Virgin Atlantic’s global network.
No further details on how this would operate have been revealed.
The tunnel currently operates at 50 per cent capacity, offering significant scope for prospective rival operators.
Virgin is the only prospective new operator through the Channel Tunnel to have secured track access in the UK, with access confirmed until at least 2040.
However, other companies are also vying for a place in the tunnel. The Italian state railway operator FS Italiane Group has ordered 19 high-speed trains as part of plans to launch services between London and Paris by 2029.
Read more: Sleeper train operator adds London routes to ticket website
Source: “AOL Money”
