The Relic of a Bygone Era: First AC (1A) Before the Great Reset
Pre-2020, First AC (1A) was rarely on the radar of the everyday traveler. It was perceived as the private territory of senior officials and the elite—a world of government officials and the retired elite. For the middle class and young professionals, 2AC or 3AC remained the logical, ‘sensible’ standard. 1A was dismissed as an indulgence that cost as much as a flight without the benefit of speed, making it a hard sell for anyone in a hurry.
Back then, the math was simple for most Indians: “If I’m paying ₹4,000 for a train ticket, why wouldn’t I just fly and reach in 2 hours?” First AC was a hard sell because its value proposition—privacy and comfort—wasn’t yet a “necessity.” It was a luxury for those who had nowhere to be in a hurry.
Then came March 2020. The world stopped. And when the wheels started turning again post some relaxations after first lockdown, that “luxury” suddenly became the only logical way to travel safely…
The time that changed everything: Covid, 2020
We all remember the eerie, heavy silence of the early pandemic. In May – June 2020, as Indian Railways cautiously flickered back to life with just 100 ‘Covid Special’ trains, I found myself booking tickets for the only service running from Mumbai to my hometown. It was my first time ever in First AC (1A). At that moment, the booking wasn’t an indulgence—it was a strategy for survival.
In a world where social distancing was non-negotiable, a two-berth coupe became the ‘Holy Grail’ of travel. My wife and I were fortunate enough to secure one; for 22 hours, that sliding door was our shield, creating a private, sterile sanctuary that felt infinitely safer than any airport terminal or pressurized flight cabin.
I remember writing back then about how first AC (1A) compared to flying. (Link to the blog). In a coupe, you aren’t just a passenger; you are a guest in a mobile suite. I had a strong feeling that once people experienced this level of privacy and dignity in travel, the demand for 1st AC would increase tremendously in days to come.
Validating the hunch with actual data
The product manager in me pushed me to validate the hunch that I had 5 years ago. I wanted to see if my personal experience was a fluke or a national trend. I filed an RTI to see how first AC demand had shifted from the pre-Covid era (2019-20) to the current day.
The numbers are staggering: Demand for First AC has grown by 40% in FY 2024-25 when compared to pre-covid era (FY 2019-20).
The growth of 40% in First AC is significant. In an era where India’s aviation sector is seeing record-breaking numbers and ‘Low-Cost Carriers’ are more accessible than ever, a 40% surge in First AC demand is a statistical anomaly that demands attention. Logic suggests that as flying becomes more common, long-distance rail should lose its premium tier. Instead, we are seeing the opposite. The Indian traveler is increasingly choosing the ‘Slow Luxury’ of a 1A coupe over the ‘Cramped Efficiency’ of a middle seat at 30,000 feet.”
Why is First AC (1A) Exploding?
- The Privacy Premium: In an increasingly crowded world, the ability to lock a door is the ultimate luxury.
- The “Work from Train” Culture: With 1A providing charging points and more table space, it’s becoming a favorite for digital nomads and professionals.
- Increased Supply: Historically, 1A supply was scarce, limited to partial coaches on a few elite trains. In last 2 years, Indian Railways pivoted strategically to meet surging demand; today, 1A is not only more common but has doubled in capacity on key long-distance routes with a few trains having two 1A coaches.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: As Indian Railways introduces newer LHB coaches with better suspension and soundproofing, the 1A experience has never been smoother.
That June 2020 journey wasn’t just a trip; it was a window into the future of Indian travel. We are witnessing a “Premiumization” of the tracks. The Indian traveler is no longer just looking to get from Point A to Point B; they are looking for an experience.
Trainkibaat 