Italo trains have three classes of service, called Smart (roughly akin to second class), Prima (first class), and Club (premier first class), although all levels come with leather seats and free WiFi.

On Trenitalia, Italy's national railway, the naming convention for "first class" depends on the type of train you are boarding. On the high-speed Frecciarossa trains, the traditional "first class" label has been replaced by a tiered system: Executive, Business, and Premium. The "Business" level is the direct equivalent of a high-end first class, offering leather reclining seats, a welcome drink, and a snack box. The "Executive" level is an ultra-premium tier with only 8 to 10 seats per train, featuring a boardroom and full meal service. On the Frecciargento and Frecciabianca services, as well as the long-distance Intercity trains, the class is still referred to simply as "1ª Classe" (First Class), which provides more legroom and a quieter environment than "2ª Classe." In 2026, Trenitalia has heavily marketed its "Business Silent Area" (Area Silenzio) within the first-class tiers to appeal to travelers who want to work or rest without the noise of cell phones or loud conversations. Regardless of the name, choosing a first-class tier in Italy generally ensures wider seats in a 2+1 configuration, whereas second class typically uses a denser 2+2 layout.