{"id":208267,"date":"2025-09-24T07:25:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T05:25:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=208267"},"modified":"2026-01-14T12:59:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-14T11:59:28","slug":"sncf-business-optimum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/sncf-business-optimum","title":{"rendered":"SNCF replaces Business 1\u00e8re with Optimum offer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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 1\u00e8re 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. <\/em>\"explains Fr\u00e9d\u00e9ric Laurent-Miel, SNCF Distribution Director.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A choice of three 1st class ticket offers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 Premi\u00e8re 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 Premi\u00e8re will be \u20ac2 for Optimum class and \u20ac20 for Optimum+.<\/em> \"explains J\u00e9r\u00e9mie Zeguerman, Marketing and Customer Experience Director at TGV-Intercit\u00e9s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The promise of Optimum+ enhanced restoration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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 Premi\u00e8re Signature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n