First look at Virgin's brand-new Channel Tunnel trains set to challenge Eurostar with routes between UK and Europe - reaching speeds of 186mph

Published: 04:43 EDT, 9 October 2026 | Updated: 05:01 EDT, 9 October 2026 Virgin has shared a first glimpse of its cross-Channel trains, releasing a new image of the black-and-red design.The company plans to introduce 20 daily return services between London, Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam from 2030, adding almost 7.5 million seats to the cross-Channel route per year and creating up to 1,000 new jobs.Competing with Eurostar, the new Virgin trains will be capable of travelling at speeds of up to 300km/h (186mph), with customised interiors designed for cross-Channel travel.Onboard trains and pre-departure, Virgin Atlantic's lounges – which the brand calls 'Clubhouses' – will give passengers flexibility to work, relax or socialise. Food and drink will be coordinated by Virgin Voyages' award-winning onboard dining, while Virgin Hotels will contribute to 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. Virgin has released an image of the striking new trains, set to launch in 2030It will also draw on its 20 years of operating Virgin Trains in the UK as it develops the new cross-Channel passenger journeys.Josh Bayliss, CEO of Virgin Group, said: 'Virgin has a proud history in UK rail. With our latest venture we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new. '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.'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. 'We're looking forward to seeing our distinctive red and black trains travelling across Europe.' They will compete with Eurostar, providing journeys to London, Paris, Brussels and AmsterdamVirgin will also explore how its rail and airline networks could work more closely together, making 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 Virgin Atlantic's global network.Virgin has signed an agreement with Eurostar to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills International depot in east London and is the only prospective new operator through the Channel Tunnel to have secured track access in the UK – with its access confirmed until at least 2040.A landmark agreement with French rail group Alstom has also secured the delivery of 12 Avelia Stream trains under a 30-year maintenance contract.Further details about Virgin's proposed services, trains and customer experience will be announced soon.