I traveled in business class on an Amtrak Acela train for the first time. Here are 6 things that surprised me about the trip.

Joey HaddenJun 8, 2022, 23:32 IST

Insider's reporter sat in business class on an Amtrak Acela train.Joey Hadden/Insider

I recently rode in business class for the first time on an Amtrak Acela train from Baltimore to NYC.
Some things surprised me about the ride, for example, coach seats weren't even an option.

I traveled in business class on Amtrak's Acela train from Baltimore to New York City and experienced a few surprises along the way.

The author in her business-class seat.Joey Hadden/Insider

For context, you should know that although this was my first time in business class on the Acela train, this wasn't my first journey with Amtrak — not by far.

The author in an Amtrak roomette accommodation.Joey Hadden/Insider

During the booking process, I was surprised to learn that Amtrak Acela — an East Coast express train — only has two classes: business and first.

The business and first-class cars on an Amtrak Acela train.Joey Hadden/Insider

Since business class is a step up from coach, I was expecting the seats in each row to be positioned a bit farther apart. But I thought they felt so close together.

Inside a business-class car on an Amtrak Acela train.Joey Hadden/Insider

But for seats that were so close together, I had an exceptional amount of leg room.

The author's seat from above.Joey Hadden/Insider

Since all the other Amtrak accommodations I've experienced aside from coach came with a meal, I was surprised that the business class Acela ticket did not include one.

The Amtrak Acela's cafe car.Joey Hadden/Insider

This was my first time ordering from an Amtrak cafe car, and I wasn't expecting such a big menu.

The menu in the cafe car.Joey Hadden/Insider

When I finished my snack in my seat, I expected an attendant to come around and collect trash, but there was no at-seat service in business class.

The author's trash after finishing her snackJoey Hadden/Insider

While it was a bit less comfortable than I expected, ultimately, I had a good trip and would pay more to travel on an Acela again to save 20 minutes, or in other cases, maybe even more time.

The author takes a selfie after exiting the train.Joey Hadden/Insider

While it was a bit less comfortable than I expected, ultimately, I had a good trip and would pay more to travel on an Acela again to save 20 minutes, or in other cases, maybe even more time.

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I traveled in business class on an Amtrak Acela train for the first time. Here are 6 things that surprised me about the trip.

I traveled in business class on Amtrak's Acela train from Baltimore to New York City and experienced a few surprises along the way.

For context, you should know that although this was my first time in business class on the Acela train, this wasn't my first journey with Amtrak — not by far.

During the booking process, I was surprised to learn that Amtrak Acela — an East Coast express train — only has two classes: business and first.

Since business class is a step up from coach, I was expecting the seats in each row to be positioned a bit farther apart. But I thought they felt so close together.

But for seats that were so close together, I had an exceptional amount of leg room.

Since all the other Amtrak accommodations I've experienced aside from coach came with a meal, I was surprised that the business class Acela ticket did not include one.

This was my first time ordering from an Amtrak cafe car, and I wasn't expecting such a big menu.

When I finished my snack in my seat, I expected an attendant to come around and collect trash, but there was no at-seat service in business class.

While it was a bit less comfortable than I expected, ultimately, I had a good trip and would pay more to travel on an Acela again to save 20 minutes, or in other cases, maybe even more time.