Introducing the Amtrak Airo: A New Era of Modern Passenger Rail

At a recent preview event, Amtrak President Roger Harris joined USDOT Deputy Transportation Secretary and Amtrak Board Member Steve Bradbury, FRA Administrator David Fink, and Siemens Mobility North America CEO Tobias Bauer to unveil the first new Amtrak Airo trainset, marking a major milestone in the railroad’s nationwide fleet modernization effort.

The debut of Amtrak Airo represents more than the introduction of new equipment. It signals a fundamental shift in how Amtrak will serve customers across the U.S.: expanding capacity, improving reliability, and delivering a consistent, high-quality travel experience across multiple corridors.

The Airo fleet is central to Amtrak’s long-term strategy to modernize passenger rail service and meet rising demand. With a focus on comfort, efficiency, and performance, these trainsets are expected to become the backbone of a revitalized national network.

The first Airo trains will enter service on Amtrak Cascades, strengthening intercity rail service in the Pacific Northwest. This corridor connects major regional hubs—Seattle, WA; Portland and Eugene, OR; and Vancouver, BC—and continues to see strong demand for convenient, reliable rail travel.

All eight Amtrak Cascades trainsets are expected to complete manufacturing in 2026, bringing a new level of consistency and modernization to one of the country’s most important state-supported routes.

The modernization momentum will continue into the Northeast, where 2026 will mark an important turning point for the Northeast Regional. The first Airo trainsets for that route will complete production and begin testing, with revenue service anticipated to begin in 2027.

This next step underscores Amtrak’s commitment to delivering a refreshed travel experience not only on its flagship high-speed services, but also across the core corridor routes that carry millions of riders each year.

The arrival of Amtrak Airo builds on the successful rollout of NextGen Acela, which entered service on the Northeast Corridor in August 2025. In its first month alone, NextGen Acela served more than 60,000 customers, demonstrating strong enthusiasm for modern rail equipment and an upgraded passenger experience.

Together, NextGen Acela and Amtrak Airo represent a new chapter for passenger rail in the United States—one defined by innovation, investment, and long-term growth.