East Midlands Trains will put the first refurbished Class 360 train into service on the Luton Airport Express next month, starting a rollout that changes the look and feel of the airport link for passengers. The upgrade adds 2+2 seating, improved luggage storage, power and USB charging points, enhanced passenger information systems and better accessibility features.
Will Rogers on the rollout
Will Rogers said the investment will transform the experience for customers and make the refurbished fleet more comfortable, more practical and better suited to modern travel. He also said the fleet will provide a step-change for passengers using EMR Connect and Luton Airport Express services, and that he looks forward to hearing what customers think when the first train enters service next month.
Luton Airport Express service
The Luton Airport Express launched in April 2023 and links St Pancras International to Luton Airport Parkway station. With the Luton DART connection, the journey from central London to the airport terminal takes around 30 minutes, making the service the first place the newly refurbished trains will be seen in regular passenger use.
The refurbishment sits within a wider £60 million regional investment programme by East Midlands Railway, which is operated by Transport UK. That means the airport service gets the first visible part of the upgrade now, while additional refurbished Class 360 units only enter service over the coming months.
Next refurbished Class 360 units
Alberto Martin said the investment delivers a modern, comfortable on-board experience for the growing number of passengers using the service, and strengthens rail as a more sustainable option for airport travel. The practical question for passengers is immediate: the first upgraded train is due next month, but the full fleet changeover will follow gradually rather than all at once.
For anyone using the Luton Airport Express, the change is not just cosmetic. The new layout combines airline-style seats and table bays, with the biggest day-to-day differences likely to be extra charging access, better storage for bags and clearer information during the trip.
