Virgin East Coast to auction empty first class seats to standard fare payers

Rail passengers unhappy at the prospect of a journey in standard class can now bid for an upgrade.

Empty first class seats on selected Virgin Trains East Coast services are being auctioned through a smartphone app shortly before departure.

Prices start from £5 for a seat in first class carriages featuring complimentary food and drink, free wi-fi, reclining leather seats and extra legroom.

Upgrades are initially available on some weekday services from London King's Cross to Edinburgh, Leeds, Newcastle and York, with more routes expected to be added shortly. Regular walk-up first class fares for London to Edinburgh journeys can cost almost £90 more than standard class tickets.

Each auction opens approximately two-and-a-half hours in advance and closes around half an hour before the train departs.

Suzanne Donnelly, commercial director at Virgin Trains East Coast, said: "We are really excited to be partnering with Seatfrog to offer customers more opportunities to experience first class. Passengers can get upgrades from as little as £5 and there are real deals to be had.

"The live bidding element means you can decide at the last minute if you fancy treating yourself."

Seatfrog chief executive Iain Griffin said people wanting to guarantee first class travel should buy a regular ticket, as auctions will not be held for all trains.

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