Does anybody know of a website to book AVE tickets from Madrid to Seville online? Are bookings required in advance? Is there a huge difference between 1st class and 2nd class (apart from the price) - ie is there much point going 1st class for a 2? trip?
Thanks.

A 2 and a half hour trip.

https://w1.renfe.es/vbi/htvbiu00.html

This is the official website of the train system in Spain. You can put your dates in and it will give you the option of purchasing AVE tickets. My friend and I used the AVE last month and we found the train to be very comfortable. There was no problem.. and frankly didnt see (and didnt see the need) for a separate first class ticket.

Make sure that you use the same credit card that you use to purchase to validate your pick up at the train station. There is a pick up counter at the Madrid Barajas airport after you exit. You can pick up tickets there itself as long as you show your ticket confirmation code and the original credit card you made the online purchase on.
Hope that helps.

if you cant reach the link through the post before, you can go to www.renfe.es and then go to TIKNET at the top right hand side of your screen and then click on English ..

Thanks for the tip chicalina!