Readers' reviews. What is it like to travel in Italo's most exclusive environment? Club Executive review
Another round, another thing, another review by our readers: in this case Luca, whom we thank, takes us aboard the [...]
Other round, other thing, other review by our readers: in this case Luke, whom we thank, takes us aboard the Italo's Executive Club.
In this article:
Italo Train is now well-established in high-speed rail transportation, going after a young, smart and price-conscious clientele. However, there is no lack of attention to those who want to travel in comfort and with dedicated service. The highest level of service on board Amaranth trains is the Executive Club, in which, quoting the company's website "there are no boundaries to relaxation and comfort, immersed in total privacy." So many, glancing through the carriages on the platform, wonder if it is really worth it: let's find out.
The trip: itinerary, ticket, price
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The reference route, taken on this trip, is Milano Centrale - Salerno, one of the longest (the longest is Torino Porta Nuova - Reggio Calabria Centrale) that Italo currently operates. Five hours and fifty-two minutes travel time for train 9951, with eight intermediate stops. Trains also run with stops only in Rome and Naples that take about 15 minutes less.
The trip is made aboard the train AGV 575, equipped with 11 carriages, including 1 Club Executive, 4 Prima Business and 6 Smart cars for a total of 462 seats on board and maximum speed of 300 km/h in Italy. The experience on the other train, the Italo EVO, is slightly different, but only because of the train configuration.
The ticket was offered by Italo (for which I thank them, ed.). The Club Executive can only be purchased in the fare Flex (or SuperFlex) or Economy (the lounge environment only in Flex), for a cost ranging from €120 in economy fare, €167 in Flex, and €196 in SuperFlex. The Lounge environment is sold at a fixed rate of 289€ for one passenger, with the block purchase of all four seats exclusively. Note that the price per person decreases as the number of travelers increases to 4. With points, a Club seat costs 2,200 ItaloPiù (for now).
At the station
The Club ticket also provides several benefits at the station. The most significant is free access to the Italo Lounge. In the case of Milano Centrale, the lounge is elevated above the track level, overlooking the wrought-iron vaults. Access is via stairs or elevator, in the Gate E area.
Inside, catered with sweet and savory served buffet, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and cafeteria (vending machine), sofas with power outlets and private bathroom. The value of these services is 12€, if purchased separately. A useful service to refresh oneself go to clean bathrooms, but especially to avoid spending standing in the chaos or in a bar, if lucky, the wait before boarding. Milano Centrale is a quagmire from which one hardly leaves relaxed and without having spent money.
Exiting the lounge and taking the elevator again, you arrive in front of the dedicated Fast Track gate for Italo customers traveling in Club, Prima Business or who have status. One second and you are immediately directed to the platform. While during off-peak hours it may seem superfluous, during peak hours, with regional and long-distance trains cadenced literally by the minute, entering smoothly can save the trip.
On board
The advantage and eventual disadvantage of being in Car 1 is the orientation of the train: if the Club is in the lead, you have to be prepared for a 200-meter walk to reach it, from the top of the platform. At the door already one notices the increased attention to customers. Waiting for travelers, there will be a hostess or steward to welcome them on board and available, if needed, for information. Starting the journey with a smile, and with a good morning or good evening, is neither obvious nor trivial.
Entering the vestibule, on one side we find the galley and bathroom, shared with Prima, and on the other the door to the Club environment. The latter is preceded by a sanitizing gel dispenser and a few bays with the on-board magazine, Italo Magazine (also available at the seat) and some magazines of the most important newspapers. Overall, the carriage has 19 seats, 8 of which are enclosed in the two lounges, and the other 11 in saloon with a 2-1 configuration. The warm tones of leather beige, which distinguish the service level, make the environment cozy and very spacious, especially with a natural mix and match that the light of fine days can give, flooding the carriage from right to left.
The seats are wide, leather, very similar in width to those in Prima Business, with ample legroom, two fixed side headrests, a light cushion, a footrest, and a fold-down coffee table that can easily accommodate a 15" notebook, with two cup holders, one of which can also be used when the coffee table is closed.
Also present are a reading light, power outlet and personal basket. In the armrest, to the left, is housed the infotainment, with a removable 9" tablet. By pressing a button in the right handle, the chair reclines, but not much in the backrest. By advancing the seat as well, however, the feeling of comfort is greater and still good.
Proceeding into the carriage, we find the two lounges, with four dark brown leather armchairs, much larger than the saloon ones and with electric reclining, centrally placed in a console with also personal light controls. Closing the room is a black glass door, separating travelers from the outside environment.
Also available to passengers in the suites are coat racks, placed in special retractable closets-a nice touch, seen only on board Italo.
When we get to the far end of the carriage (and the train), we find a luggage rack, the staff's stool, and a small table with water and glasses, available to passengers. In short, if one is thirsty, one can help oneself.
IFE
Train travel can be boring, especially after so many hours. Following the experience of airlines, Italo, too, has equipped itself with a infotainment system aboard their trains, with a treat reserved for those traveling in Club Executive.
By connecting to the free Wi-Fi on board, on the operation of which, unfortunately, there are still some infrastructure problems, it is possible to access the portal ItaloLive, where movies - of which many Italian pop -, a selection of the best (whole) Sky TV series, music, digital newsstand, information about one's trip, children's content, and even English language and wellness courses are provided for passengers: basically, you name it.
In Club, each seat is equipped with a 9" tablet, removable from the armrest, and from which all content can be accessed. Just ask the staff for earphones or plug in your own and the whole portal is usable.
It may seem anachronistic (these trains are from 2012) considering smartphones, tablets, and notebooks, but the ability to do multiple things at once while keeping your device free for work or otherwise is still something not to be underestimated. The screen quality is good, perhaps the operating system on some passages might be a bit slow, but given the age the whole thing more than defends itself.
The service: food & beverage
We boarded, and once we passed Milan Rogoredo, the cabin crew immediately came by to offer espresso coffee, freshly brewed, with a glass of water. After a few minutes, the trolley service, with attendants on board who offered a disinfectant wipe, a selection of sweet or savory snacks (you could take what you wanted, even more than one), cold and hot drinks. I chose a chocolate shortbread, with Coke Zero and water. Unlike Prima Business, where the choice is between a cookie and a saltine or peanuts, here there is a whole basket available, with a variety of variations (salamis with taralli or crackers with parmesan are a must), even for celiacs.
Service is provided at every train stop, so on, long routes, there is opportunity to taste different products. From Bologna I decided to have aperitivo with prosecco (the alcoholic alternative was beer), served in a 37.5 cl bottle, with olives. The only "jarring" note was the paper cup. Green choice, sure, but one that does not give a feeling of exclusivity.
After the Florence Santa Maria Novella stop, the "dinner" boxes were loaded on board, with catering provided by Vyta, prepared at the outlets in the station and delivered to the crew at departure times directly at the boarding gate. Before the service continues, a small menu is delivered indicating the two choices of the day, one of which is always vegetarian. The boxes are the same for lunch and dinner, while at breakfast there is a double sweet offering. Menus change often, depending on seasonality.
In the box is a sandwich, with a paper towel. I chose the one with hummus and grilled zucchini. Balanced flavors, fresh bread, well stuffed: in a word, excellent. Until a few years ago-before the covid-a piece of small pastry was also served (I remember really good curly puff pastries), but now nothing. The only sweet offering, to end the meal, is the albeit well-stocked selection of snacks mentioned above.
The choice of this type of dining at the seat, the only opportunity for travelers given the lack of a restaurant car, falls - in my opinion - within the smart view mentioned, perhaps too little compared to the claim of being a full meal, albeit offered several times (especially if there are fewer passengers than the 19 accommodated).
Particular praise goes to the on-board crew, who were always friendly, discreet, companionable and above all attentive, despite also having to perform First Business service for four other carriages. Most of Italo's crew is worth the ticket price alone and enhances the journey.
In conclusion
On board Italo, traveling is objectively comfortable, especially for long routes. Considering the value for money, the Executive Club is a deserving product and should definitely be discovered. For the attention received, it becomes difficult-especially if accustomed-to travel in lower levels of service. If one is looking for luxury, this is not where to look. The feeling is to want to give privacy, exclusivity, but in a smart way, more suitable for young people, still wearing suits and ties, but still backpacking.
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