Last year I took China’s high-speed rail in business class and in first class. I was complaining about not being able to get the new business class seat. Well, the dream has come true 🙂
Some background first. China’s HSR now features three different business class seat configurations: the traditional egg-shell, then the newer business studio and herringbone. The latter two are rarer and more sought after.
These seats are available on certain Intelligent EMU trains but it’s not a guarantee. You can now view seat map of each individual train in the 12306 app which helps you identity the correct configuration. Some trains feature more than one seat type though, and you can’t usually pick the seat when reserving.
I was actually on a waitlist and randomly allocated the train and seat, so it’s a pleasant surprise to end up in a business studio.
The cabin features six seats arranged in a staggered layout, providing a higher density than the traditional egg-shell configuration.
If you are a frequently flyer in the sky, the look of the seat should be familiar.
Each seat offers a degree of privacy and is equipped with amenities such as reading lights, power outlets, and a hook for hanging clothes.
There’s also a designated space for small luggage, complete with a safety belt, and the last row is reserved for larger items – a thoughtful touch, considering the limited luggage space in second-class and first-class cabins.
Passengers receive slippers, an eye mask, and earplugs, though the quality is average.
A display screen provides train information, but it lacks entertainment options, making it somewhat redundant.
Service quality can vary depending on the train’s originating bureau. On this trip, managed by the Zhengzhou bureau, I noticed a higher level of service compared to previous experience with the Shanghai bureau.
Despite having eaten lunch earlier, I ordered a meal to fully assess the service. The standard offerings included snacks and soft drinks, and for hot option I chose the sauteed chicken with mushroom. As expected, the taste was typical of mass-produced boxed meals.
One of the highlights was the ability to recline the seat fully for a nap, ideal for a longer trip.
Unlike the egg-shell configuration, the business studio includes a door, significantly enhancing privacy.
Compared to European trains, hardware of the business class on China’s HSR is on another level, and quite affordable if you earn “Western” salary.
Like what I said last time however, I still find first-class seats to offer the best value, especially when traveling with family or friends, as they allow for easier conversation. As for the so-called sparsity and quietness, it’s a matter of luck: even one noisy child can ruin the peace, and that happens more often than not.
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