Amtrak Business class offers more legroom, a free non-alcoholic drink, and priority boarding compared with Coach.
Coach
Standard seat. Pay for food. Seat pitch about 36 inches.
Business class
- More legroom (about 42 inches of pitch).
- Free non-alcoholic drink.
- Priority boarding.
- Power outlets at all seats.
Cost
Often $20 to $60 more than coach on the Northeast Corridor.
Acela
Has First class and Business class.
Worth it
Choose Business class for longer trips or comfort.
What each class includes
On Amtrak’s long-distance and some regional routes, Coach seats are reclining with leg rests, and Business Class on Northeast Regional trains has more legroom, a quiet car, a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage on some trains and priority boarding at certain stations. Acela trains offer Business and First Class. Acela First includes meal service and lounge access.
- Fares for Business class on the Northeast Regional are often 30 to 60 USD higher than Coach on the same trip, depending on date and route.
- Coach seat pitch on Amtrak is about 39 to 42 inches, compared with airline coach near 30 to 31 inches.
- Business on Acela has 2-by-2 seating and outlets at every seat.
Is it worth it
Pay more if you value space, quiet and priority boarding on busy corridors. For short trips, Coach is usually enough. Amtrak sells discounted fares in advance, and Saver fares can be lower than the usual flexible fares. Check what a specific train includes, since offerings differ by route.
What each class includes
Amtrak Business Class offers more legroom, a complimentary non alcoholic beverage on many routes, priority boarding and a seat with more recline on routes such as the Northeast Regional and some state supported trains. Coach seats are the standard class with less legroom and no included drinks. Business class is generally sold on the Northeast Corridor, Acela is separate with First Class and Business Class.
Is it worth it
Business class fares are often 20 to 50 percent higher than coach, but sometimes only a few dollars more on less busy trains. The quiet car is available on many trains in both classes. Check seat maps and prices in the Amtrak app, and consider using points. Prices vary by day and booking time, so book early for best value.
Routes and seating
Business Class on Amtrak Northeast Regional offers wider seats with about 7 inches more legroom than coach in some configurations, a complimentary soft drink and priority boarding. Acela has First Class with meal service. Silver Meteor and other long distance trains offer Roomettes and Coach Reserved seating as upgrades.
Booking and refunds
Amtrak fares are dynamic, with Saver Fares cheaper if booked early. Business tickets are partly refundable by class. Amtrak Guest Rewards points can be used. Children aged 2 to 12 get discounted fares, and discounts are available for seniors, students and military.
Based on data from Amtrak
