Eurostar has unveiled plans for a €2 billion investment in up to 50 new sustainable double-decker trains, named Eurostar Celestia, set to begin commercial service in 2031. Olivia Palamountain reports

Eurostar has announced a €2 billion investment in a next-generation fleet of double-decker high-speed trains – the first of their kind to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on the UK network.

Built by Alstom Group, the new Eurostar Celestia trains mark a major milestone in the operator’s expansion strategy as it targets 30 million annual passengers. However, in 2030 the company will start facing competition from Virgin Trains, which this month got permission to start a rival cross-channel rail operation.

An initial 30 trains have been confirmed for Eurostar, with an option for 20 more, and will be a custom design created from Alstom's Avelia Horizon platform. The new 200-metre, all-electric trains will operate across the company’s existing five-country network, while adding future destinations including Geneva and Frankfurt.

Expected to enter service in May 2031, the first six Eurostar Celestia trains will launch what the brand describes as “a new era for international sustainable travel”.

The Celestia name, derived from the Latin caelestis meaning “heavenly,” was chosen by Eurostar employees to reflect the brand’s spirit of connecting a constellation of European cities. Each train will increase seating capacity by approximately 20 per cent, with space for around 540 passengers per 200-metre unit. When running in 400 metre formation, as is standard through the Channel Tunnel, capacity will double to around 1,080 passengers per service.

The new fleet will bring Eurostar’s total number of trains to 67, representing a 30% increase over today’s levels. All maintenance and servicing will be carried out at the company’s Temple Mills depot in London, which will be upgraded to accommodate the new double-decker design at a cost of around €80 million. The investment will also create approximately 350 new engineering and maintenance jobs, reinforcing the UK’s role as a hub for high-speed rail expertise.

Sustainability sits at the heart of the Eurostar Celestia project. The trains will feature 97% recyclable components and use up to 50% less energy than the existing fleet. Around a quarter of materials used in construction will come from recycled sources, while the design will also incorporate advanced systems to enhance climate resilience. Accessibility is another priority: the design process includes consultation with passenger and disability groups to ensure a more inclusive onboard experience.

Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, describes the investment as “the concrete realisation of Eurostar’s ambitious growth strategy.” She said: “We’re particularly proud to bring double-decker trains to the UK for the very first time. Customers can expect a very special new train with Eurostar Celestia, which will offer exceptional comfort, a unique Eurostar experience and new surprises to be revealed.”

Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, adds: “By choosing Avelia Horizon to renew its fleet, Eurostar is confirming its desire to combine technological performance, energy efficiency and passenger comfort. This new-generation train embodies our vision of sustainable and competitive European mobility.”