Eurostar

No. Of course, if you have money to burn .......

Probably not.
In first class (which Eurostar calls standard premier) you get 50% more space, 2+1 seating instead of 2+2, and proportionally more legroom, plus a small cold meal. Click here for details. If you are particularly tall or large the extra space is an advantage, but the space in 2nd class (standard) is more than I've ever had in an aircraft standard class.
Sometimes you can get deals where premier (1st) costs €10 or €20 more, if so I go for that, because I am particularly tall and large and of a certain age, but otherwise I am more comfortable in standard than on an aircraft.

Thanks, that is just what I needed to know.

The offering in standard premier today is very much less than it used to be in its previous incarnations, in particular the included food and drink. On the other hand it is less crowded as a result of the lower seat density, and usually less rowdy.

I agree that the "meal" has gone right down in quality and quantity. Eurostar have always had the world's smallest coffee and tea cups but they used to be regularly topped up... Last trip, just one refill. It really seems to me that the meal service is just enough to tick a box now.

That said, the little two seater table is a lot of fun for a couple.

Now, that's all said about the cheaper first class called Standard Premier.

I have never traveled in Business Premier - the super duper hot meal expensive high price first class plus. Seats are the same, travel time exactly the same, but for the very high price you do get more exclusivity, a very nice (I have heard) hot meal, and champagne.

I'd put the money back in my pocket and get a really nice meal with champagne in a restaurant.

But I don't. I still eat my usual and keep my money.... You may prefer elsewise.

Remember that the whole journey is only 2 hours to Brussels, 17 minutes more to Paris. Do you need fancy for such a short trip?

less rowdy

The only time I ever experienced "rowdy" in standard was a college age group of about 30 on a school trip to Paris from New York via London. They were a bit noisy for the first 15 minutes then settled down to a nice journey.

You haven't experienced about two dozen off on a hen weekend.

The Eurostar trains in general are becoming a bit shabby inside and the refurbishment by SNCF is well behind schedule.

Standard Premier should get you a power socket, while only a couple of carriages or so of standard are equipped.

Yes, I am keenly looking forward to the new trains....

We took the Eurostar in September. There were 4 of us, including a friend who is 6'7" tall. We had a 4 person table in standard class and there was adequate legroom for my friend. He sat opposite me, and I'm 5'3". I prefer to spend my extra money on things more interesting than a 2+ hour train ride.

No, we would not recommend paying more than necessary. I've been happy riding standard class on trains all over Europe, and this is only a 2.5-hour train ride.