Avanti West Coast Train to Manchester
Avanti West Coast First Class to Manchester
What a difference a year makes on Avanti West Coast, the only train service between London and Manchester. After a very pleasant trip last year, my Avanti trip this year was simply awful. Industrial action (aka strikes) have disrupted Sunday schedules. We arrived at Euston 45 minutes prior to our scheduled 9:16am departure only to find out that our train was cancelled. Avanti West IT is so antiquated that the ticketing office couldn’t move us to the 10:16am train and had no way to see a seat map nor tell how many First Class passengers were booked on the train. So it was a mad dash to grab open seats with stragglers having to stand or at best, sit on the luggage racks. LOL. And since this was still a “breakfast train” no alcohol or even soda was served. What a mess.
Passing time in the "First Class" Lounge.
We were fortunate to make friends with the front desk agent who alerted us when the platform was announced so we could be one of the first to board and squat in an unassigned First Class seat.
Pics from last year when this trip was a pleasure. Only 2 other pax in First on a very relaxing and pleasant trip.
With open bar...
... and a delicious lunch.
Fast forward to this year and it was standing room only in First, with these two passengers having to sit on the baggage rack.
Welcome to First Class. LOL
Anything you want as long as it's not Alcoholic or fizzy. Basically hot drinks or juice. Because it's before noon. LOL.
My veggie shakshuka was apparently the best of a bad lot as my buddy had scrambled eggs which looked sus and wound up giving him food poisoning.
Welcome to Manchester.
A 10 minute taxi ride later, the Hyatt Regency Manchester.
The Arsenal team buses waiting to take the team to Old Trafford.
