I Rode Amtrak’s NextGen Acela in Business Class — Here’s My Take

Amtrak’s NextGen Acela entered service in August 2025, marking the most significant upgrade to U.S. high-speed rail in more than 2 decades. The new trains replace the original Acela, which first launched in 2000.

Like its predecessor, NextGen Acela runs along the Northeast Corridor between Boston and Washington, D.C., with stops in major cities like New York and Philadelphia. The new fleet promises a more modern and comfortable experience, with increased capacity and faster travel times, and Amtrak plans to have all 28 NextGen Acela trains in service by 2027.

Reviews so far have been mixed, which made me especially curious to try it myself.

In late December, I rode NextGen Acela from New York City, where I live, to Washington, D.C., and I traveled in business class, with my pug, Migo, who rides in a mesh carrier that fits under the seat. Pets aren’t allowed in first class, so business was my only option.

Here’s everything I loved (and didn’t) about Amtrak’s NextGen Acela in business class.

What I Loved About Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Train

1. Beautiful, Modern Cabin With Fast Wi-Fi

The U.S. still has a long way to go before it catches up to European high-speed rail — let alone Asia — but NextGen Acela is a decent start.

The cabin is bright and airy, and reminds me of France’s TGV Train or Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. Large windows offered scenic views throughout the ride to Washington, D.C. Overhead signage displayed seat numbers, though it didn’t appear to be fully activated yet.

Amtrak swapped out the airplane-style overhead storage compartment for an overhead storage you’d find on an airport shuttle bus, which made it easier to stow and access bags during the trip.

Wi-Fi is another area where NextGen Acela stands out. Amtrak trains are notorious for slow — or nonexistent — Wi-Fi connections, but the new trains feature 5G-enabled Wi-Fi. I was able to send emails, stream Netflix, and get work done without issues, which matters given how many people book Acela specifically to work en route.

Business class is arranged in a 2-2 configuration, with a handful of 4-seat tables that are ideal for working, and these seats tend to sell out quickly, so it’s worth booking early.

All seats on Acela are assigned, and you can choose your seat during booking on Amtrak.com or through the mobile app, which is what I did. 

2. Clear Signage Throughout the Train

One confusing aspect of the original Acela train — and some of Amtrak’s regional trains — was how difficult it was to find the cafe car. Unless you knew the train’s exact layout, it was easy to wander around aimlessly.

NextGen Acela fixes that issue with clear, well-placed signage pointing directly to the cafe car, bathrooms, and cabin sections.

Displays also indicated upcoming stops, which were helpful throughout the journey. And another welcome improvement: It was much easier to hear the conductor.

Poor audio announcements were a frequent issue on the original Acela, and this update made the experience noticeably smoother and more accessible.

3. Bright Cafe Car, but Strictly Grab-and-Go

The star of Amtrak’s NextGen Acela train is the cafe car, located in Car 6. 

Like the rest of the train, it’s bright and spacious, making it easy to move around without bumping into other passengers. The setup is clearly designed for grab-and-go service.

Menus remain largely unchanged, but Amtrak added passenger-friendly updates like self-serve refrigerators stocked with drinks and snacks. Physical menus are still available — which I appreciated — and QR codes allow passengers to view options digitally, a helpful touch on busier trains.

The biggest downside is the lack of seating. On the original Acela, the cafe car included bar-style tables and seats, and it wasn’t uncommon to see people spend most of the trip working or taking calls there. While some standing tables remain on NextGen Acela, it’s clear Amtrak wants to space to function primarily as a quick stop rather than a workspace.

4. Noticeably Quieter and Smoother Ride

One of the most noticeable improvements on NextGen Acela is how quiet the ride is.

On many Amtrak routes — including the original Acela — train noise often cuts through even noise-canceling headphones. That wasn’t the case here.

The ride was also considerably smoother than other East Coast train trips I’ve taken. NextGen Acela trains feature a tilt system designed to reduce motion, and even through notoriously bumpy areas, like parts of New Jersey, the ride felt smooth and comfortable.

What I Didn’t Love About Amtrak’s NextGen Acela Train

1. Firm, Narrow Seats (for Now)

While I appreciated several seat features — including charging ports, reading lights, and headrest wings — I found the seats themselves to be uncomfortably firm.

This may be due to the newness of the trains, and the seats will likely soften over time. Still, during the ride between New York and D.C., the lack of cushioning was noticeable, and I also found the seat to be quite narrow, with little give.

The recline function didn’t help much. Instead of reclining from the back, the seat tilts from the bottom up, which felt awkward and made it seem like I was slipping out of my seat.

2. Tight Legroom at Table Seats

If you’re sitting at a table seat, expect close quarters.

Even though I was seated alone for the entire trip, the space under the table felt extremely tight. Getting in and out of the seat required maneuvering around the armrest, which would be especially difficult for taller travelers, like me.

The limited legroom is also worth noting if you’re traveling with a pet. With Migo’s carrier under the seat, the table setup felt even more cramped. On future trips, I’ll likely opt for a standard seat instead. On the original Acela, table seats offered far more space, making this a noticeable downgrade.

How To Book Amtrak’s NextGen Acela

I didn’t originally plan to ride NextGen Acela, but I’m glad the opportunity came up.

I had booked a fully refundable ticket on the Northeast Regional train between New York’s Moynihan Train Hall and Washington, D.C., for Christmas Eve. The one-way fare was just $78, which was especially reasonable for a last-minute booking.

After needing to adjust my travel time, I checked the Amtrak app and was surprised to see a NextGen Acela ticket available for just $107 one-way. I quickly rebooked and paid using my Amtrak Guest Rewards^® Preferred Mastercard^®, which earns 3x points per dollar on Amtrak travel — an easy way to earn extra points if you ride the Northeast Corridor often.

Before booking, it’s important to note that NextGen Acela currently operates only along the Northeast Corridor. When searching on Amtrak.com or the mobile app, look closely at the train number, as “NextGen” will be clearly marked between Boston and Washington, D.C.

The following train numbers are scheduled as NextGen Acela trains at the time of writing:

• Weekdays: 2153, 2154, 2170, and 2173
• Saturdays: 2250 and 2251
• Sundays: 2248, 2258, 2259, and 2271

Final Thoughts

Overall, I enjoyed my first experience on Amtrak’s NextGen Acela train, even with a few hiccups.

If I can score a deal as I did over the holidays, I’d happily rebook business class. That said, I wouldn’t go out of my way to pay full price just to try the new product. Still, NextGen Acela feels like a meaningful step forward — and a sign that U.S. rail travel is finally moving in the right direction.