Virgin has signed an agreement with Alstom for 12 Avelia Stream trainsets, with a 30-year maintenance contract, as it sets out plans for 20 daily return services through the Channel Tunnel from 2030.
Virgin has released the first image of the train it plans to operate through the Channel Tunnel, confirming that Alstom will supply 12 Avelia Stream trainsets for planned services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030.
The company plans to run 20 daily return services on the route. Virgin says this would add almost 7.5 million seats a year to the cross-Channel route and create up to 1,000 jobs. It also says the services would support tourism, business travel and local economies. The black and red trainsets are capable of speeds of up to 300km/h and will have interiors customised for cross-Channel travel.
Alstom to supply and maintain the fleet
Alstom will also service the trains under a 30-year maintenance contract. Andrew DeLeone, Europe Region President at Alstom, said: “As both the train supplier and fleet maintainer, Alstom will support Virgin throughout the full lifecycle of the project – from delivery into service through to long-term operations – helping to ensure a reliable, high-quality service for decades to come.”
He said the Avelia Stream platform “combines proven high-speed performance with outstanding energy efficiency, passenger comfort and operational flexibility”. DeLeone added: “Across Europe, passengers are increasingly looking for more seamless cross-border high-speed rail connections, and this project will help deliver exactly that.”
Virgin has also signed an agreement with Eurostar to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills International depot in east London. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has published the signed agreement. Virgin says it 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.
We’re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole.”
Onboard experience drawn from wider Virgin businesses
Virgin has said its ambition is to bring the customer experience it is known for to cross-Channel rail. It says it will draw on experience from more than 40 Virgin businesses, which it says have 45 million customers worldwide, as well as its 20 years of operating Virgin Trains in the UK.
Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouses will inspire pre-departure and onboard social spaces, while Virgin Voyages’ onboard dining will influence the food and drink offer. Virgin Hotels’ approach to comfort and design will help inform the development of seating and onboard spaces.
Virgin’s loyalty platform, Virgin Red, will allow passengers to earn Virgin Points and spend them on future journeys, flights, hotel stays, cruises and experiences. The company says accessibility will be built in from the outset, and that every design detail and customer touchpoint will be carefully considered.
Virgin will also explore how its rail and airline networks could work more closely together. This would make 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 the airline’s global network.
Market growth and next steps
Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group, said: “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.”
He added: “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.”
The announcement positions Virgin as a prospective new entrant on the Channel Tunnel route, with UK track access confirmed and a maintenance arrangement agreed with Eurostar for Temple Mills International depot. Further details about Virgin’s proposed services, trains and customer experience will be shared in the coming months.
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