Amtrak Acela First Class Review, what it looks like

Updated

2025-04-22T14: 55: 37Z

I reserved a first class ticket on an Amtrak Acela from New York in Baltimore in 2022.
For $ 273, I obtained a free meal service and access to the metropolitan show at the Penn station in New York.
Although I appreciated the experience, I did not think that traveling in first class was worth it.

When I traveled from New York to Baltimore in 2022, I went up to first class on an Amtrak Acela train – the express route on the train line on the East Coast with only first -class business and seats.

Two weeks before my trip, I booked an Amtrak Acela Standard ticket for $ 121 and spent an additional $ 152 to switch to first class.

Although this is a pleasant three -hour trip with access to living room, meal service and more space, I did not think that the benefits were worth an additional $ 152.

“Like our peers of airlines, Amtrak’s pricing strategy is influenced by several factors – demand, departure, seasonality, route, pair of cities, service class and other market conditions,” an Amtrak representative at Business Insider told.

Here is an overview of my walk, including all the first class offers that I received – and why they were not worth the additional price.

I arrived at New York Penn station around 8 am on Sunday for my train at 9 am for Baltimore.

Inside the Moynihan train hall.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

It was the second time that I had left Moynihan Train Hall, an expansion of $ 1.6 billion from Penn Station. It was shiny, clean and easy to navigate.

Since I arrived early, I went to the metropolitan show on the second floor, where first -class passengers have come for free.

A view of the seats at the metropolitan fair — A view of the living room.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

Like an airport lounge, space is a calm and high -end waiting area for some Amtrak customers. Inside, there are comfortable seats and free snacks and drinks.

First class passengers enter the day of their trip for free, and business class passengers can pay $ 50 to access the club.

The space was beautifully decorated and very clean. Only a few other people were there during my visit.

I went to the snacks and confirmed that they were complementary.

The snack section of the metropolitan show — The snack counter in the living room.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

I was surprised and overwhelmed by the wide selection, which included bars, cookies, popcorn, fries and candies. With hindsight, I would have liked to have asked for some additional treats.

There were also free drinks like coffee, icy tea and citrus infused water.

I ordered water, icy coffee and a kind bar, and the server gave me an additional.

A coffee, water and two bars. — The journalist’s refreshments in the living room.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

While I was waiting for my train in the peaceful and comfortable space with my free refreshments, I thought it was good, but I would not pay $ 50 for that.

When it was time to get on board around 8:40 am, I found my door easily and quickly got on the train.

A first class Amtrak Acela car — A first -class Amtrak Acela car.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

In first -class Acela cars, there are two seats on one side and one on the other. My assigned seat was in a single row.

I was delighted when I discovered that my seat was in one row because I had a little more space.

The headquarters of the author's first class in the Amtrak Acela train — The journalist’s first class seat.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

Before I sit down, I placed my backpack in the trash to maximize the leg space.

The chairs were large, so I thought they would be comfortable, but they were more rigid than expected.

The author rests his feet on the foot — The journalist tests the footrest.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

Below me, a footrest withdrawn from the rear chair of the seat. Besides my feet, there were two points of sale to load my devices.

Although I did not think that the chair was so comfortable, I was grateful to be able to bow slightly by pressing this button.

A close -up of siege options on the first class seat Amtrak Acela — Seats controls on the train.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

Similar to an airplane, a tray table came out of the back of the seat in front of me.

And above, I had access to two lights with two different parameters, although I did not use them since my trip was during the day.

When the train started moving at 9 am, a train attendant brought me complementary food and drinks.

Menu on Amtrak Acela First Class Car — The first class menu on Amtrak Acela.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

For breakfast, I could choose between four options, including an omelet or an empanada.

I went with a plate of fresh fruit and orange juice.

The author's meal on a first class car Amtrak Acela — The journalist’s fruit plate.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

Orange juice came out immediately with a glass of ice. The train tremor shook the glass, and I feared that it would spread.

Three minutes later, my meal came out and I was surprised to see that it also included a croissant.

The fruit had a cold and fresh taste. Each room was just as juicy and tasty as the last. The croissant had a slightly less fresh taste for me, but it was still hot and tasty.

Overall, I was satisfied with my meal, but the combination of service, food and seat did not feel valid for an additional $ 152.

The bathroom also seemed to be quite typical of a train bathroom in other lessons, according to my experience.

The bathroom on a first class car Amtrak Acela — The bathroom in the first class car.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

I did not notice any special luxurious details that would make it feel more first class.

Anyway, I was a fan of large windows that offered impressive views of cities, forests and water bodies between New York and Baltimore.

A view of the window on a first class car Amtrak Acela — An overview of the journalist’s window during the ride.

Joey Hadden / Business Insider

When I arrived in Baltimore, I was happy to have had the chance to try the first class experience. But next time, I’m going to save money and book a regular ticket.

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