Amtrak’s Next-Gen Airo Trains Hit Seattle—Bigger Windows, Better Seats, More Room
A new era for Amtrak’s Cascades route just pulled into Seattle. The first Airo trainset arrived this week for final testing along the Vancouver-to-Oregon corridor, bringing European-style upgrades to one of America’s most scenic rail lines. By the end of 2026, eight of these sleek trains will replace aging equipment, and they’re designed with passengers in mind.
Inside, expect a noticeable upgrade. Ergonomic seats offer more legroom, with USB ports, sturdy tray tables, tablet stands, and cupholders. The cars are brighter and more open, says Derek Maier, Amtrak’s Airo program director. Capacity jumps about 50 percent, to roughly 300 passengers per train—a welcome boost as ridership on the Cascades topped 950,000 in 2025, up 1.4 percent from the year before.
Business class gets single and double seating, while the cafe car shifts to self-service with contemporary food options. The real star? Larger windows to soak up the Pacific Northwest’s dramatic scenery. Built by Siemens (the same company behind Amtrak’s new Acela trains), these trains can reach 125 mph with lower emissions, though much of the track is owned by freight railroad BNSF and hasn’t seen the investment needed for high speeds.
Testing began in Colorado and the Northeast Corridor, even stopping in Washington, D.C., for photos. Now, crews are training and running practice trips on the actual Cascades route. Amtrak has ordered 83 Airo trainsets total; the first eight will serve the Cascades, which currently runs seven daily roundtrips between Portland and Seattle (3.5 hours), with extensions to Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver. On-time performance was 67 percent in 2025.
When can you book? Amtrak hasn’t set a date yet, but expect a gradual rollout similar to the Acela’s debut—new trains will appear in search results as they clear testing. Fares start as low as $29 for Seattle-to-Portland coach if booked early, climbing above $100 for longer trips or business class. Weekends sell out fast, so plan ahead.