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Thalys, the high-speed train that connects Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Cologne, is targeting business travellers with a new seating option in first class. Starting next month, the rail company will offer a meeting room for four people located at the front of the train. The meeting space, dubbed ‘Le Salon’, is a private room with four comfortable chairs and a conference table, plus standard first class amenities like complimentary wifi, meals and newspapers. Travellers need to book Le Salon in advance, with prices around 10% higher than four individually purchased full-rate first class tickets. Le Salon will no doubt appeal to small teams preparing for business meetings and conferences, as well as leisure travellers willing to pay a premium for guaranteed privacy, peace and quiet. In addition to helping customers make the best possible use of their time on board, Thalys recently launched carpooling-thalys.com for passengers interested in carpooling before or after their journey. (Related: Global business network with workspaces for members — Social network for Air France-KLM travellers — Meeting rooms, upgraded — Barcelona Hilton hotel reserves rooms for a siesta.)