A New Era of Train Travel: Onboard Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Inaugural

When Amtrak calls something an “Acela-bration,” you know it’s going to be good. That’s the name it gave to the big launch of its brand-new NextGen Acela trains, and I was lucky enough to be invited on the inaugural journey out of New York’s Moynihan Train Hall.

Having gone to college in Boston and frequently commuting to NYC before moving here, I’ve become very familiar with Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor. But this train? It isn’t just a facelift. It feels like the start of a new chapter for American rail travel.

And yes, it’s launching years later than promised (classic 🙃) — but better late than never, am I right? After all the waiting, it’s exciting to finally see these trains launch.

The Vibe at Moynihan Train Hall

The energy was electric. Amtrak execs, key partners, select media, and curious rail fans gathered for what felt like a genuine milestone rather than a routine departure.

I started the day in the Metropolitan Lounge, a perk usually reserved for First Class passengers, travelers with private rooms, Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus or Select Executive members, or anyone with a Station Lounge Pass ($50 or 1,500 Amtrak points at Moynihan).

Think airport lounge vibes: free coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and packaged snacks. 

There’s also a cash bar if you want something stronger before boarding. Starting the trip here made the experience feel premium right from the beginning.

When the gleaming new train pulled in, it looked more European than American, with a sleek nose and bold red and blue accents. 

Seeing an old Acela train on a nearby track, the difference was night and day. Just to give you a better idea, here’s a peek at the old Acela cabins. 👇

What It’s Like Onboard

The first thing you notice when stepping onto the new trains? Space. The NextGen Acela squeezes in 27% more seats, yet somehow feels less cramped.

Cabins are bright and modern, featuring ergonomic seats, larger windows, and open luggage racks that create an airy feel. Overhead bins have been replaced with open shelves, and larger bags can be stowed in racks at the front and rear of each car.

It even had that “new train smell” — like stepping onto a brand-new airplane. The ride itself was impressively smooth and quiet.

Seat Comfort and Features

One big change: seats don’t recline backward. Instead, the bottom cushion slides forward a couple of inches. It’s fine for a short ride, but not ideal if you’re hoping to nap.

The upside? You can still use a laptop comfortably, even when the person in front is “reclined.”

The seats felt a little stiffer with less padding than the old ones, though that could just be because they’re new and not yet broken in. Still, this is far more comfortable than any cramped regional plane flying in the Northeast. 

And the little touches matter — seatback tray tables come with built-in cup holders, so you don’t have to fold down the entire table just to hold a drink.

Every seat also has a small adjustable legrest that can be raised or lowered.

Business Class 

Business Class is arranged in a 2-2 layout, with gray leather seats topped by blue headrests.

The legroom sure beats what you’ll get on most planes, and there are some four-seater configurations with a dining table if you’re traveling with a group.

One caveat: since the seats slide forward instead of reclining, knees can bump into tables in the 4-seat clusters if you slide too far.

Seats alternate between forward-facing and rear-facing positions. And if you happen to snag the wheelchair-accessible row, you’ll enjoy the most legroom of anyone on board.

First Class 

First Class switches to a spacious 1-2 layout with red accents, wider seats, and even more legroom. The whole cabin feels more private, with that “I could actually spread out and relax” kind of energy.

Like in Business Class, First Class offers four-seater dining table setups, but there are fewer solo seats with dining tables than on the old Acela (just one set instead of four). 

If you’re already splurging on First Class, my advice is to book one of the true solo seats — they’re the most private spots onboard.

Wi-Fi, Power, and Other Upgrades

The new Acela is a massive upgrade tech-wise. Every seat has 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, individual power outlets, USB ports, and reading lights.

In business class, USB plugs are tucked into the armrest between seats, with outlets under the seat. In First Class, both are located between the seats for easier access. One catch: they’re still USB-A ports, not USB-C. In First Class, I did spot USB-A to USB-C converters, but don’t bank on them always being provided.

And the Wi-Fi? Shockingly good. I ran a speed test that clocked in at 91 Mbps download, enough to stream videos from Daily Drop’s YouTube channel and even write this story onboard. That’s a major glow-up from the days when Amtrak Wi-Fi couldn’t even load basic emails. But the internet is powered by 5G towers along the route, so there could still be stretches with poor reception where speeds drop.

Other modern touches include digital seat indicators above each row and bright displays throughout the train showing speed and route info.

Accessibility got a big boost, too: wider aisles, ADA-compliant bathrooms, retractable bridge plates for boarding, and even touchless bathrooms with half-circle sliding doors.

The Café Car Glow-Up

I made a beeline for the café car — and wow, it’s unrecognizable compared to the old Acela. Seating has been swapped for sleek counters, there are grab-and-go fridges, and you can check out via tablet kiosks.

The menu included options like La Colombe coffee or tea ($3.50), sodas ($3.00), sandwiches ($12.50), salads ($15.00), and hot entrées like mac and cheese or a hamburger ($8.50). Beer, wine, and spirits are also available. (Full menus: Café Acela and Acela Cart). 

The Acela Cart Service is also back with the launch of the NextGen trains, letting Business Class passengers purchase food and drinks from their seats.

And for those in First Class, it gets even better: at-seat dining curated by James Beard Award–winning chef Stephen Starr. Yes, you can now sip wine and enjoy a chef-designed meal while zipping through New Jersey.

Where It Runs

Just like the old Acela, the NextGen runs the Northeast Corridor: Boston – Providence – New Haven – New York – Philadelphia – Baltimore – Washington, D.C.

The speed tops out at 160 mph (compared to 150 mph before), but track limitations mean trains will only hit that for short stretches. So, it’s definitely not as fast as the Japanese Shinkansen, but it’s still the quickest way to zip up and down the East Coast without dealing with airports or TSA lines.

Bonus: the new fleet should help reduce cancellations caused by equipment failures, which plagued the aging Acela sets in recent years.

Fares and How to Book 

Tickets on the full New York to D.C. route start at around $90 in business class and $250 in First Class, depending on the day and demand. 

At launch, five train sets are in service, with all 28 rolling out by 2027. At the time of this writing, only select services feature the new trains:

• Weekdays: 2153, 2154, 2170, 2173

• Saturdays: 2250, 2251

• Sundays: 2248, 2258, 2259, 2271

That means you’ll still see many legacy Acela trains for now, so double-check when booking that you’re on a NextGen set (look for a “NextGen” icon under the train number).

Best Credit Cards for Booking Amtrak 

If you’re planning to ride the new Acela, don’t just swipe any credit card. You can make your train trip more rewarding with the right one:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earns 2x points on travel (including Amtrak) and has flexible redemptions through Chase Travel or transfer partners.

• American Express® Green Card: Earns 3x Membership Rewards on transit, including trains.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: 2x Capital One miles on every purchase, plus Capital One Travel perks.

• The Amtrak Guest Rewards® Mastercard®: A niche pick, but it earns directly in Amtrak’s program and comes with a tier status boost for frequent riders.

Bottom Line 

The inaugural Acela ride really did feel like “Acela-bration.” The energy was high, the upgrades were clear, and the ride itself was smooth and quiet.

Sure, U.S. rail still lags behind Europe and Asia, but this train is a major leap forward. The new Acela is more comfortable, more connected, and more enjoyable than ever.

If you’ve ever debated whether to fly or train between East Coast cities, the NextGen Acela might finally tip the scales.