First Class seating is available exclusively on Acela Express. First Class passengers enjoy premium amenities, complimentary onboard food and beverage services and privileged access to ClubAcela lounges in Boston South Station, New York Penn Station, Philadelphia 30th Street Station and Washington, DC Union Station.

Roomy, Comfortable Seating

Relax in spacious one-by-two seating, or share a conference table with your colleagues. There are extra-large tray tables to spread out, and AC outlets to power up your device.

Assigned and Reserved Seating

Your seat will be automatically assigned when you complete your reservation. You may change your assigned seat and choose a different seat at any time after your reservation is complete by viewing your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

Choose between a single or double seat, a window or an aisle, or a two- or four-person conference table. Reserve your preferred seat in First Class on select Acela Express trains and have more peace of mind knowing your seat is waiting for you. 

The First Class car on Acela Express is always either the first or the last car on the six-car train and includes both forward- and rear-facing seats. Some of the single seats turn and are always forward facing.

Acela first class diagram

 

Acela first class diagram

Always forward facing

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How will I know if I have an assigned seat?

    Your seat number is printed on your eTicket. Your seat number also appears on your Amtrak.com and Amtrak app booking confirmations.

    eTicket highlighting assigned seat beside car number
    boarding pass highlighting assigned seat beside car number
  • Can I choose a specific seat?

    Not while you're making a reservation. Your seat will be automaticaly assigned to you when you complete your reservation. You may change your seat assignment and choose a different seat at any time after the reservation is complete. Just view your reservation in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. There is no fee to change your seat.

    Amtrak app eticket highlighting assigned seat
    Amtrak website reservation details highlighting assigned seat
  • I prefer sitting forward. How do I predict which direction my seat is facing?

    The Acela Express First class car is always either the first or the last car on the six-car train and is configured with both forward- and rear-facing seats. Some of the single seats are rotated by the train crew and are always forward facing.

    We will do our best to predict and display your direction of travel when you view your train's seat diagram on Amtrak.com or the app. A schedule change, equipment change or other unforeseen circumstance may cause the planned location of the First class car to change before departure. You can change your seat at any time after booking, even while you are en route after your train has departed. The Conductor can also assist you with changing your seat onboard, subject to availability.

  • I use my corporation’s travel booking tool or someone else books my travel for me. How can I find my reservation in the Amtrak app or on the website?

    Your seat number will be printed on your eTicket.

    Having trouble logging in or finding your reservation when you’re on business travel? Often, the email address or phone number associated with your reservation belongs to your travel agent or corporate travel agency. Contact your travel administrator to find out what phone number or email address is used to book your reservations.

    Agents are available to assist you in the station or when you call 1-800-USA-RAIL. The conductor can also assist you with changing your seat onboard, subject to availability.

  • I booked separately from my friends, family and colleagues. How do we sit together?

    If you book your reservation together, we will assign your seats together, subject to availability. If you book separately, collaborate with your travel companions to find and change to seats next to one another. 

  • If I see an empty seat onboard, may I sit there?

    You can't just move to an empty seat until you change your assigned seat in the Amtrak app or on Amtrak.com. Someone may have already reserved that seat but is boarding from a station down the line, or someone else could change to it en route. The conductor can also assist you checking whether an open seat is available between your origin and destination.