Amtrak has unveiled the first train in its new Airo fleet, part of one of the most extensive rolling stock modernization programs in the American operator’s history. 83 new trains will enter service starting in 2026 and will be gradually introduced on several routes across the national network.
The presentation took place in Washington, D.C., in the presence of Amtrak management and representatives of the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as the manufacturer Siemens Mobility, responsible for building the trains.
Where will the first Airo trains run?
The first Airo multiple units will be introduced on the Amtrak Cascades route, which connects Seattle, Portland, Vancouver (Canada), and Eugene (Oregon) on the Pacific Northwest corridor. The eight multiple units destined for this route are scheduled for completion in 2026.
At the same time, the trains for the Northeast Regional route will complete the production phase and enter testing, with commercial service scheduled for 2027.
In total, Amtrak plans to introduce 83 Airo trains on routes across the country in the coming years.
Part of a broader modernization
The introduction of the Airo trains follows the launch of the new generation NextGen Acela, which entered service on the Northeast Corridor in August 2025.
According to the company, the new trains are designed to:
- increase transport capacity,
- improve reliability,
- modernize the onboard experience,
- standardize services across multiple corridors.
The Airo fleet will operate on routes such as Amtrak Cascades, Northeast Regional, Keystone Service, Palmetto, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Empire Service, and other regional and interstate services.
A fleet renewal program
The Airo program represents one of the most extensive recent investments in the renewal of the Amtrak fleet, in a context where demand for passenger rail transport in the US is growing.
The new trains are promoted as offering:
- improved physical comfort,
- modern connectivity,
- updated onboard services,
- a unified passenger experience.
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