Amtrak Expands Popular Assigned Seat Offering to Northeast Regional Trains in Business Class

Beginning January 2020, customers can expect a more seamless onboarding process with the option to select their preferred seat

NEW YORK – Amtrak is expanding its assigned seating program for customers traveling in Northeast Regional Business class. This long-requested offering, previously only available for Acela First class passengers, allows families, friends and colleagues to sit together. Seat assignment in Business class on Northeast Regional trains will begin on trains departing on or after Saturday, January 11, providing customers with Business Class reservations the ability to select their preferred seat.

“Our assigned seating offering in Acela First class has proven to be popular, efficient, and an improvement to the customer experience, so it’s only natural that we expand it onto more of our trains,” said Amtrak CEO and President Richard Anderson. “We’re proud to offer Northeast Regional Business customers the same perk that Acela First class customers already enjoy that benefits the onboarding and traveling experience.”

Seats are automatically assigned when customers complete their reservation. To select a preferred seat, customers can simply change their assigned seat at any time prior to boarding via an interactive seat map on Amtrak’s mobile app, at Amtrak.com, or with a ticket agent. There are no fees to choose or change a seat assignment.

Amtrak originally launched its seat assignment offering for Acela First class customers beginning in February 2018. While currently only available on Acela and Northeast Regional premium classes, Amtrak is evaluating the potential to add the feature to more of its trains.

In addition to assigned seating, customers can travel in comfort on Amtrak trains, avoiding traffic, and the additional costs of driving, parking, tolls and gas. Assigned seating is the newest addition to Amtrak’s current amenities, including large spacious seats with no middle seat, power outlets at every seat, a generous baggage policy, and the best sightseeing opportunities in the country. Amtrak’s NEC trains are also the country’s only all-electric trains, providing a more environmentally friendly way to travel as part of Amtrak’s goal to reduce its carbon footprint while safely and comfortably transporting travelers between cities and rural communities across America and through city center connections.