I sat in first class on one of Europe's fastest trains and it knocked the socks off standard class with its rotating seats and conference room

Kate DuffyOct 16, 2022, 14:44 IST

Frecciarossa ETR 1000.Alessandro Rota/Getty Images/Kate Duffy/Insider

The Frecciarossa 1000 in Italy reaches speeds of 400km/h, making it one of Europe's fastest trains.
It cost about $78 for a seat in executive class on the service from Turin to Milan.

One of the fastest trains in Europe is Italy's Frecciarossa ETR 1000, which reaches maximum speeds of 400 kilometers an hour thanks to its 16 engines. It's able to reach 300 kmh in just four minutes.

Alessandro Rota/Getty Images

One of the fastest trains in Europe is Italy's Frecciarossa ETR 1000, which reaches maximum speeds of 400 kilometers an hour thanks to its 16 engines. It's able to reach 300 kmh in just four minutes.

I paid about $78 for a seat in executive class on the Frecciarossa from Turin to Milan. There are four classes — executive, business, premium, and standard — across 11 coaches.

Kate Duffy/Insider

I paid about $78 for a seat in executive class on the Frecciarossa from Turin to Milan. There are four classes — executive, business, premium, and standard — across 11 coaches.

The journey on the Frecciarossa, or "red arrow," only took an hour, providing a quicker alternative to regional trains that take almost twice as long. Although its top speed is 400 kph, its commercial speed is 360 kph.

Alessandro Rota/Getty Images

The journey on the Frecciarossa, or "red arrow," only took an hour, providing a quicker alternative to regional trains that take almost twice as long. Although its top speed is 400 kph, its commercial speed is 360 kph.

Passengers with executive class tickets can use the Freccia Lounge before boarding. It's far from remarkable, but I could help myself to hot and cold drinks, snacks, and escape from the busy station.

Kate Duffy/Insider

Passengers with executive class tickets can use the Freccia Lounge before boarding. It's far from remarkable, but I could help myself to hot and cold drinks, snacks, and escape from the busy station.

Walking into executive class on the Frecciarossa, I was impressed. The carriage was secluded from the rest of the train and had 10 enormous champagne-colored leather seats 1.5 meters away from each other. The size and space created a sense of privacy from other passengers in the carriage.

Kate Duffy/Insider

Walking into executive class on the Frecciarossa, I was impressed. The carriage was secluded from the rest of the train and had 10 enormous champagne-colored leather seats 1.5 meters away from each other. The size and space created a sense of privacy from other passengers in the carriage.

The seats, which had reading lights on the top, were extremely comfortable compared to the smaller ones in standard class. The best thing was that they were able to rotate 180 degrees.

Kate Duffy/Insider

The seats, which had reading lights on the top, were extremely comfortable compared to the smaller ones in standard class. The best thing was that they were able to rotate 180 degrees.

There were buttons on the arm of the chair to control the lights, foot rest, and reclining backrest. Being able to sit back and put my feet up made the first-class experience feel even more luxurious.

Kate Duffy/Insider

There were buttons on the arm of the chair to control the lights, foot rest, and reclining backrest. Being able to sit back and put my feet up made the first-class experience feel even more luxurious.

There were fold-away tables that popped out of the armrest.

Kate Duffy/Insider

Plug sockets and USB points were located at the end of the seat, which was handy for charging my phone. Executive class had its own free WiFi, separate from the WiFi available on the rest of the train, but it failed to get me online.

Kate Duffy/Insider

Plug sockets and USB points were located at the end of the seat, which was handy for charging my phone. Executive class had its own free WiFi, separate from the WiFi available on the rest of the train, but it failed to get me online.

Screens on the carriage ceiling showed the Frecciarossa's speed, location, next stop, and the weather. The top speed reached during the journey was nearly 300 kmh.

Kate Duffy/Insider

The executive-class carriage had a conference room with five leather swivel chairs and sliding glass doors on either side, and a coat rack. It seemed ideal for a meeting on the move.

Kate Duffy/Insider

The executive-class carriage had a conference room with five leather swivel chairs and sliding glass doors on either side, and a coat rack. It seemed ideal for a meeting on the move.

The train's website says executive class passengers have the choice of three menus. I was disappointed to only get a drink and a choice of a sweet or savory snack about 10 minutes after departing Turin. That was the only time I was offered any service.

Kate Duffy/Insider

The train's website says executive class passengers have the choice of three menus. I was disappointed to only get a drink and a choice of a sweet or savory snack about 10 minutes after departing Turin. That was the only time I was offered any service.

I got to enjoy the nibbles with a view of the Alps, the highest mountain range in Europe, as well as fields and highways.

Kate Duffy/Insider

There was one other passenger traveling in executive class, but the huge chairs made me feel like I was on my own. The atmosphere was super relaxing, especially given that the train has acoustic soundproofing, making it quiet and smooth.

Kate Duffy/Insider

There was one other passenger traveling in executive class, but the huge chairs made me feel like I was on my own. The atmosphere was super relaxing, especially given that the train has acoustic soundproofing, making it quiet and smooth.

Frecciarossa 1000's operator, Trenitalia, says the materials used in the train's construction are almost entirely recyclable. It's the first high-speed to train to be awarded the certificate of environmental impact (EPD).

Kate Duffy/Insider

Frecciarossa 1000's operator, Trenitalia, says the materials used in the train's construction are almost entirely recyclable. It's the first high-speed to train to be awarded the certificate of environmental impact (EPD).

Overall, the Frecciarossa 1000's speed, luxury, and design blew me away. It was a treat to travel in executive class and I thought the tickets were affordable compared to prices in Britain. However, I expected to get a higher level of service and a wider selection of food.

Kate Duffy/Insider

Overall, the Frecciarossa 1000's speed, luxury, and design blew me away. It was a treat to travel in executive class and I thought the tickets were affordable compared to prices in Britain. However, I expected to get a higher level of service and a wider selection of food.

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I sat in first class on one of Europe's fastest trains and it knocked the socks off standard class with its rotating seats and conference room

One of the fastest trains in Europe is Italy's Frecciarossa ETR 1000, which reaches maximum speeds of 400 kilometers an hour thanks to its 16 engines. It's able to reach 300 kmh in just four minutes.

I paid about $78 for a seat in executive class on the Frecciarossa from Turin to Milan. There are four classes — executive, business, premium, and standard — across 11 coaches.

The journey on the Frecciarossa, or "red arrow," only took an hour, providing a quicker alternative to regional trains that take almost twice as long. Although its top speed is 400 kph, its commercial speed is 360 kph.

Passengers with executive class tickets can use the Freccia Lounge before boarding. It's far from remarkable, but I could help myself to hot and cold drinks, snacks, and escape from the busy station.

Walking into executive class on the Frecciarossa, I was impressed. The carriage was secluded from the rest of the train and had 10 enormous champagne-colored leather seats 1.5 meters away from each other. The size and space created a sense of privacy from other passengers in the carriage.

The seats, which had reading lights on the top, were extremely comfortable compared to the smaller ones in standard class. The best thing was that they were able to rotate 180 degrees.

There were buttons on the arm of the chair to control the lights, foot rest, and reclining backrest. Being able to sit back and put my feet up made the first-class experience feel even more luxurious.

There were fold-away tables that popped out of the armrest.

Plug sockets and USB points were located at the end of the seat, which was handy for charging my phone. Executive class had its own free WiFi, separate from the WiFi available on the rest of the train, but it failed to get me online.

Screens on the carriage ceiling showed the Frecciarossa's speed, location, next stop, and the weather. The top speed reached during the journey was nearly 300 kmh.

The executive-class carriage had a conference room with five leather swivel chairs and sliding glass doors on either side, and a coat rack. It seemed ideal for a meeting on the move.

The train's website says executive class passengers have the choice of three menus. I was disappointed to only get a drink and a choice of a sweet or savory snack about 10 minutes after departing Turin. That was the only time I was offered any service.

I got to enjoy the nibbles with a view of the Alps, the highest mountain range in Europe, as well as fields and highways.

There was one other passenger traveling in executive class, but the huge chairs made me feel like I was on my own. The atmosphere was super relaxing, especially given that the train has acoustic soundproofing, making it quiet and smooth.

Frecciarossa 1000's operator, Trenitalia, says the materials used in the train's construction are almost entirely recyclable. It's the first high-speed to train to be awarded the certificate of environmental impact (EPD).

Overall, the Frecciarossa 1000's speed, luxury, and design blew me away. It was a treat to travel in executive class and I thought the tickets were affordable compared to prices in Britain. However, I expected to get a higher level of service and a wider selection of food.