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Is there a more glamorous way to begin a holiday than sat on a plush train seat – free from the stresses of a budget flight – sipping an expertly mixed Margarita or Bloody Mary?
The folk at Eurostar certainly don't think so.
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folk → see → Eurostar
The rail operator has announced that there will be cocktail bars onboard its fleet of double-decker trains, expected in 2031.
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operator → announce → 2031
And unlike Eurostar’s Premier lounges, passengers won't need a premium ticket to enjoy these stylish hangout spots; hosted by Eurostar staff, both bars will be open to everyone on board.
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bars → need → board
A spokesman for Eurostar said: ‘We want to create something really special for customers, with a different ambience and vibe upstairs and downstairs, making the most of the double-decker views.’
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We → say → views
The bars form a part of Eurostar’s new Celestia fleet, which was announced in October last year.
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which → form → October
This fleet will be the first double-decker high-speed trains to travel through the English Channel, marking a significant step in Eurostar’s growth journey to 30 million annual passengers.
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fleet → travel → passengers
Commercial services are anticipated to begin from May 2031, with six Celestia trains in operation.
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trains → anticipate → operation
The fully electric trains take their name from the Latin word caelestis, meaning ‘heavenly’, which a Eurostar spokesman told the Daily Mail was chosen as they want ‘to create a travel experience beyond the ordinary'.
The cocktail bars will feature on Eurostar's new double-decker 'Celestia' trains, expected for commercial use in May 2031
Eurostar has confirmed an initial order for 30 trains from French manufacturer Alstom, with the option to buy a further 20, as a part of a €2billion (£1.7billion) investment in its network.
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Eurostar → take → network
Chief Executive Officer of Alstom, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, said: ‘This new-generation train, designed to meet the demands of international very high-speed traffic, embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility’.
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train → say → mobility
They will run across the five countries already served by Eurostar: the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, plus new destinations such as Geneva and Frankfurt.
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They → run → Geneva
And the extra floor will provide more than just this key attraction.
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floor → provide → attraction
Compared with Eurostar’s existing fleet of 17 single-decker Siemens-built e320s, the Celestia trains will have around 20 per cent more capacity, will be 16cm taller in height, and of course, will feature two decks.
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trains → compare → decks
The trains have also been designed with increasingly hot European summers in mind; they feature air conditioning systems capable of operating in temperatures of up to 55 degrees.
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they → design → degrees
Eurostar’s investment comes as its longstanding dominance of the English Channel faces new competition.
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dominance → come → competition
In August, it was announced that the Office of Rail and Road gave Virgin trains the green light for a track access agreement, allowing it to operate up to 20 international daily return services between London and Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam from October 2030.
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it → announce → October
Eurostar's long-standing dominance of the English Channel is facing competition: Sir Richard Branson's Virgin trains will be allowed to operate up to 20 international services from 2030
However, there are a few hurdles to overcome before Sir Richard Branson’s company can take to the tracks, including securing rolling stock for the services and getting safety approval from the UK and EU authorities.
Italy’s state-backed Trenitalia France, owned by Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS Group), is also in the running – with talks of aiming to launch London-Paris services as early as 2029.
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France → stand → 2029
It has ordered 19 high-speed trains and is developing a new maintenance facility near Paris.
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It → order → Paris
With this competition looming, Eurostar is promising passengers that this new fleet of trains will provide more than a drink and some extra seats.
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fleet → loom → drink
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, has said: 'Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia, which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new surprises to be revealed.
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which → say → comfort
'This is a golden age for international sustainable travel – and Eurostar is leading the race.'
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Eurostar → lead → race
The Aporia
