Acela First class

Has Amtrak given any indication as to whether Acela Express first class meals will be downgraded as the Metroliner's have been?

It should be interesting to see. My guess - it will be downgraded. But it shouldn't as there's no excuse regarding lack of equipment to heat food and the rest of the BS they gave in cutting hot food service in First Class Metroliner Service. They'll probably cite cost cutting measures.

Usually once Amtrak cuts something, it rarely comes back! Still waiting for the Viewliner to return on the Federal - that was supposed to be a temporary withdrawal!

However, I sure hope full Acela First Class returns to what it used to be. The current Metroliner First Class service is a joke.

Actually, Mr. JP, there was one major downgrade that was rescinded. That of course was the mid-80's serving of microwaved meals complete with plasticware on the LD trains.

I think this was "a bit before your time", but from your extensive LD travels, I think we both know that one was turned about.

I sincerely hope that Acela First service is restored in its entirety, for on my one ride to date, WAS-STM May 03, it certainly was exemplary.

I was going to mention the "return of china and silverware" also. I experienced it on the Broadway Limitied, of all trains! To put salt in the wound, we were over 9 hours late arriving Chicago, due to snow. Just in time though, to watch my connecting train [the Lone Star] roll by us southbound as we approached CUS!

Myself and two of my friends will be taking the Acela Express on friday from new haven into boston. We will be going first class and I was wondering if anyone could point out the added benifits for first class. As, I payed an extra 50$ a ticket. thanks

Wider seats, free drinks, and included meal - though the meal is no where what it used to be - similar now to what is available in the cafe car.

Free drinks no longer seem to be that free flowing either.

we are all under 21 so the drinks doesn't matter, but do you think there is free flowing soda, juice, water. and what are the chances getting 3 seats togeather, also is the car normally in the front or back

thanks john

I have never ridden in first class on the Acela but I have ridden first class on the Metroliner when I went to Providence this past July. No more hot meals on the Acela.

Never ridden first class but the Business Class on Acela is great so I would say the best thing you get for the extra money is the increased space you have at your seat, you won't want to get up when you have to leave! The seating is 2-1 so you'll have to find a whole row to yourself...not sure if there are any tables in first class, there are some in business class.

There is just no beating the Acela Express, it's great.

There are tables in first class but I think only 1 at each end if I recall - been a while since I have used it.

SInce you're not 21, I'd say there isn't much point in the 1st class, especially since you all want to sit together. You'll have just as nice an experience in business class, have a better chance of getting a table, and can walk to the cafe car for meals to bring back to your table.

All you'll really be getting in 1st is someone to serve you the same choices you can buy in the cafe. I always found the Acela 1st class attendants had some attitude so the service is no where near as good as you find in the air in 1st class.

I had planned on trying first class for my next Acela trip, until the David Gunn service downgrades that have hit so many other trains finally hit the Acela Express and resulted in the elimination of meals. There's really no point in paying the extra money anymore.

I agree and with hsr_fan. I travelled Acela First Class quite often. Haven't since and won't with this downgrading in effect. It's ridiculous that First Class train service in this country has deteriated to such existance. The hot meal service made Acela First Class service. Period. I hope with the new appropriation some change may be in order. I am getting flash back to the Warrington years with service downgrades.

Cough, Dust, Cough, Hack...

Here's an old chestnut from back in the early days. Did a search, and came up with two topic (merging in the other one). Anyway, this person's opinion of the current first class is not, um, high:

https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2024/08/w ... oor-value/

What a dumb review.

I mean, does this person rate plane first class the same way? By comparing the cost of a first class ticket to the price of an economy ticket and then deciding how many items they can purchase on the menu for the difference?

But yeah, the lounge in Washington sucks. Maybe this person could have done some basic research to find that out before bidding on their upgrade if the lounge was so important to them. Or maybe they shouldn't have made plans. Or they could have just bought the ticket outright so that they could plan ahead properly instead of waiting to find out whether their bid was accepted.

When I used to commute back and forth from DC and Albany, NY, I will say having access to the Acela Lounge was a real nice benefit, if only for access to a clean bathroom!

That said, yeah, the DC Lounge has never been super special. But tht is due to change.