The interior of a car of Amtrak's upcoming Airo train, set to debut in 2027.
Amtrak last week in Washington, D.C., unveiled a preview of its new 'Airo' trains, set to begin service in 2026, the rail operator announced.
Amtrak in July 2021 contracted with Siemens Mobility to manufacture 73 of the new trains, with an additional 10 ordered in August 2023. When initially announced, the investment was estimated at $7.3 billion.
The new trains will include a more spacious interior and seating, improved accessibility, and choice of double and single seats in business class. The trains also will be able to travel at up to 125 miles per hour and will eliminate engine changes, reducing travel times, according to Amtrak. In addition, Airo trains are supposed to be more fuel-efficient than prior models and "produce 90 percent less particulate emissions in diesel operations."
The first Airo trains will be used on the Amtrak Cascades route along the Pacific Northwest corridor, which connects Seattle; Vancouver, B.C.; and Portland and Eugene, Ore. Trains earmarked for Northeast Regional service also are expected to be completed and tested in 2026, with the cars being put into service in 2027, according to Amtrak.
The new Airo trains follow the introduction of the NextGen Acela trains, which debuted on the Northeast Corridor in August 2025.