On 23 September, at the IFTM tourism trade fair in Paris Expo, the SNCF unveiled the new premium travel experience it will be offering on board its Inoui TGVs from 8 January. After more than a year's work and analysis of the competition's offer - Trenitalia's in particular - the national railway company has decided to replace its Business 1ère with Optimum. A similar concept on paper, with around forty seats in a dedicated coach on weekdays, from Monday morning to Friday evening, departing from or arriving in Paris.
Passengers on this new offer will benefit from total ticket flexibility, the comfort of 1st class in a reserved and quiet area of the train, access to the 11 Le Club TGV Inoui lounges, free wifi and the SNCF entertainment portal during the journey. In addition, and this is a new feature, there is a dedicated customer service that is described as fast and efficient. " The business side of the name has been changed, as this class, which offers the best of TGV Inoui, also attracts a leisure clientele from the upper social classes. "explains Frédéric Laurent-Miel, SNCF Distribution Director.
A choice of three 1st class ticket offers
From next January, business travellers travelling in 1st class on Inoui TGVs in France will be able to choose between a classic 1st class fare, which can be booked on SNCF Connect, a Flex Première fare offering total flexibility and access to lounges, and the Optimum fare. However, the Optimum fare will not be available on the Paris-Lyon and Paris-Le Creusot routes, and will be replaced by Optimum Plus, an enhanced offer that includes a welcome host on board the TGV during the journey, personalised customer service and a catering service instead. " The fare difference with Flex Première will be €2 for Optimum class and €20 for Optimum+. "explains Jérémie Zeguerman, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at TGV-Intercités.
The promise of Optimum+ enhanced restoration
Finally, on its 18 daily Paris-Lyon round trips on the Inoui TGV, SNCF is promising improved catering in Optimum+ class compared with the current offer in Business 1st. Depending on the train timetable, passengers will be offered breakfast, lunch or dinner, with a choice of savoury or sweet snacks between meals. The menus will be prepared by Newrest, the service provider already responsible for the Le Bistrot des TGV menu, and will include three options for lunch and dinner (vegetarian, meat or fish), alternating every week, and will be completely renewed three times a year. As an added bonus to this service, dishes will now be served in porcelain crockery and accompanied by steel cutlery. A higher quality, exclusive service already offered by its subsidiary Eurostar in Premier class and by Lyria in Première Signature.
As well as the flexibility so important to business travellers, the comfort on board and the range of services, SNCF is highlighting the number of frequencies between Paris and Lyon Part-Dieu, with 18 daily return trips. And to make booking changes easier, the TGV Inoui Pro application has been revamped. " Pro travellers can use the app to find their ticket with its fare conditions, regardless of the channel used to purchase it, so they can easily make changes, even at the last minute, without having to contact their branch again or go to a terminal or ticket office at the station. "Frédéric Laurent-Miel.
More affordable Optimum pricing with the Liberté card
Marketing of this new Optimum class will begin at the end of November, or even the beginning of December according to SNCF, for TGV Inoui services starting on Thursday 8 January 2026. If the Optimum class is full (or the Optimum+ on Paris-Lyon), passengers will still be able to buy a ticket in Flex Première. This situation is likely to occur more frequently on future TGV M trains, since these trains, due to join the SNCF fleet in 2026, will have a smaller dedicated space in first class, with just 30 seats.
" To take advantage of the best rates, these different offers are eligible for the discounts offered by the Liberté card. "says Frédéric Laurent-Miel. Sold at €299 with a Pro contract (or €349 without), the Liberté card gives business travellers discounts of up to 45% in 1st class. " With its cost amortised after 3 return trips, this card is very popular with our business customers, both large companies and SMEs. It is used by 340,000 passengers, an increase of 9% compared with 2024. And according to a recent study, 91% of cardholders would like to renew their card. "he adds.
