Acela’s upgrade on the horizon brings faster, more modern service to the Northeast Corridor, while a traveler revisits a 2022 Baltimore-to-New York City journey in business class to weigh the experience against the premium price.
A high-speed Amtrak Acela train is preparing to roll out a new fleet on August 28, promising quicker trips and refreshed cars. The upgrade comes as travelers on the Northeast Corridor weigh the value of speed and comfort against cost, particularly when compared with regular Amtrak services.
The author’s 2022 trip from Baltimore’s Penn Station to New York City illustrates the premium Acela offers. The journey is listed as two hours and 25 minutes, about 30 minutes faster than a standard Amtrak service. Two weeks before the trip, a standard business-class Acela ticket was booked for about $120. By contrast, a coach ticket on a regular train booked two weeks in advance could range roughly from $30 to $70.
In Baltimore, the author arrived at Penn Station shortly before the 4:29 p.m. departure and found the business-class car distinct, with larger seating. Amtrak notes that business-class seats are 20 inches wide and 26 feet deep, with a 42-inch seat pitch. The window-seat experience included a reading light, a tray table, and a footrest, plus two power outlets beside the seat. There is no in-seat meal service in business class, so a trip to the café car is often part of the experience.
The café car offered a range of options, from salads and sandwiches to hot dogs and cheeseburgers. On this trip, a cheese-and-cracker plate was purchased for about $5.75, and a larger plate cost around $6. The overall impression of the journey in business class was positive—decent comfort, productive space, and time savings that many travelers find worth the premium.
Looking ahead, the next generation of Acela trains is anticipated to bring even more improvements in speed and design, potentially enhancing the overall travel experience for Northeast Corridor riders who value time as well as comfort. The author notes a likely preference for Acela on future trips where time savings matter.
Key takeaways for travelers:
– Acela offers a premium experience with larger seating and extra legroom in business class, along with two power outlets per row.
– There is no in-seat dining in business class; the café car remains a central option for meals and snacks.
– Prices can be significantly higher for Acela compared with standard trains, but time savings can justify the premium, especially for business travelers or time-sensitive trips.
– The upcoming fleet upgrade aims to deliver faster travel and more modern amenities on the Northeast Corridor.
If you’re planning a Northeast trip where speed matters, the upgraded Acela fleet could provide notable benefits, while the current business-class experience already offers comfortable seating, reliability, and platform-to-platform time savings worth considering.