VIA 1 Class
Jul 28, 2009 | 9:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: United Kingdom
Programs: BA Executive Club, bmi Diamond Club
Posts: 14
VIA 1 Class
I'm travelling from Québec City to Montréal in VIA 1 Class by train this August. Does anyone have any experiences to share about the service offered? I've seen that this class includes lunch, so it would also be great to hear what people make of the food, too. Thank you!
Jul 28, 2009 | 9:33 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E SPG*G CO*Silver Hyatt*Plat
Posts: 123
For any travel between Montreal and Quebec City/Ottawa, I'm a huge fan of Via 1. Comfortable seats: much wider and more legroom than J on domestic flights. If you're lucky, you get a free seat next to you and have a bunch of room to work. Power jack at all seats for laptop or other electronic devices. Just bring your own movies if you dont plan on working.
The food is ok, but nothing to write home about. So many much better options when you get to Montreal so based on schedule, I would suggest snacking instead of having the whole meal.
The food is ok, but nothing to write home about. So many much better options when you get to Montreal so based on schedule, I would suggest snacking instead of having the whole meal.
Jul 28, 2009 | 11:57 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,170
I use Via 1 exclusively when travelling in the Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal triangle instead of flying. The Renaissance train is new (built in UK) and is very comfortable.
You can take a look at this link as well as services offered:
http://www.viarail.ca/en/trains/onta...ity/train-cars
There is the Panorama lounge exclusively for Via 1 passengers at the station to wait for the train.
The food is okay. It kept you from being hungry.
You can take a look at this link as well as services offered:
http://www.viarail.ca/en/trains/onta...ity/train-cars
There is the Panorama lounge exclusively for Via 1 passengers at the station to wait for the train.
The food is okay. It kept you from being hungry.
Jul 28, 2009 | 3:05 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Programs: VIA Rail - Premier, Fairmont, Cunard - Diamond, AC - Mere mortal
Posts: 214
Last week I had a trip from Toronto-Montreal-Quebec City and return. All four segments were in Business Class (the new term for VIA 1) and on Renaissance trains. Unlike the other trains used on this run, LRCs, there is a lounge car for Business Class passengers. It's not that great a lounge, but there is a wide-screen TV for those interested (live hockey games were shown this winter) and you can get an extra drink there after lunch or dinner.
On one of my four segments the meal was only all right, but on the other three I found them to be very good. They were far better than what AC serves in J Class domestic. There are three choices of main course at each meal. I admit AC's plates and cutlery are full-sized; I wish VIA would provide this instead of the small versions. Unlike AC, VIA serves dessert and a chocolate afterwards. If you ride the Toronto-Montreal or Montreal-Toronto semi-express trains at 5:00 p.m., the appetisers are plated from the trolley and there is a choice of desserts.
VIA has the menus on-line and I always choose my meal in advance. They can be viewed here, but the meals (other than special orders for religious or dietary meals) cannot be ordered on-line, only by phone or in person. VIA's Website is very busy at the moment due to the 60% discount sale.
http://www.viarail.ca/en/useful-info.../onboard-menus
On one of my four segments the meal was only all right, but on the other three I found them to be very good. They were far better than what AC serves in J Class domestic. There are three choices of main course at each meal. I admit AC's plates and cutlery are full-sized; I wish VIA would provide this instead of the small versions. Unlike AC, VIA serves dessert and a chocolate afterwards. If you ride the Toronto-Montreal or Montreal-Toronto semi-express trains at 5:00 p.m., the appetisers are plated from the trolley and there is a choice of desserts.
VIA has the menus on-line and I always choose my meal in advance. They can be viewed here, but the meals (other than special orders for religious or dietary meals) cannot be ordered on-line, only by phone or in person. VIA's Website is very busy at the moment due to the 60% discount sale.
http://www.viarail.ca/en/useful-info.../onboard-menus