Business class same as old coach?
Business class same as old coach?
Nov 16, 2014, 10:21 am
#2
In Memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: HH Diamond, Amtrak Exec
Posts: 3,262
Alas, business class is not consistent within Amtrak. Those 2-1 cars are largely found in the midwest (for now), the train to Vermont, and the Maple Leaf to Canada from NY.
In other markets, the BC car looks more like a regular coach, only with greater pitch and curtains on the windows. Plus the perk of a free newspaper and non-alco drinks from the cafe car. Plus BC is never oversold, unlike coach.
In other markets, the BC car looks more like a regular coach, only with greater pitch and curtains on the windows. Plus the perk of a free newspaper and non-alco drinks from the cafe car. Plus BC is never oversold, unlike coach.
Nov 16, 2014, 4:01 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,813
Agree it can vary substantially. On some NEC trains, they use identical seats as coach, but usually there is more pitch. The Downeaster always has the 2-1 seats, as does the overnight NEC. On the Acela, business class is the lowest class, and has 2-2.
Nov 17, 2014, 11:47 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: United States
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BC is always 2-1 on the Cascades too, IINM.
(There are also some 2-1 coach cars on the Cascades...rode one earlier this month...might be the only 2-1 coach seating in the Amtrak system.)
(There are also some 2-1 coach cars on the Cascades...rode one earlier this month...might be the only 2-1 coach seating in the Amtrak system.)
Nov 18, 2014, 5:31 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YVR
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Posts: 502
Just as a data point, with the AMFleet cars a proper Business Class should be 62 seats, and a coach car could be 70-72. Plus Business Class has foot rests, and curtains as well.
If you tell me which train it was, I can actually take a look and see if it was a "true" Business Class car or not.
If you tell me which train it was, I can actually take a look and see if it was a "true" Business Class car or not.
Nov 19, 2014, 4:29 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: East Coast, USA
Posts: 1,032
And it's worse if you are booked in AmFleet business and the consist has AmFleet II, such as Carolinian (oops).
I heard some reports that sometimes in California they run AmFleet I coach as business and hope that no one will notice.
Can they at least put leather seats in all of AmFleet business class? I know they have done it for some of their cars.
I heard some reports that sometimes in California they run AmFleet I coach as business and hope that no one will notice.
Can they at least put leather seats in all of AmFleet business class? I know they have done it for some of their cars.
Nov 19, 2014, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: New England
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Trains 66 and 67 on the Northeast Regional have the old ClubClass cars as their business class cars (2-1 seating in half of the car, the other half is the cafe)
The Downeaster has the old ClubClass cars with 2-1 seating as well.
The Downeaster has the old ClubClass cars with 2-1 seating as well.
Nov 20, 2014, 9:52 am
#8
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There is one consist that is made up of the old Amfleet cars that is still used on the Surfliner! I cannot stand those cars!
Jan 4, 2015, 11:08 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
I was wondering what the difference was myself, as an Amtrac newbie. I recently rode the Palmetto from RVR to CHS and back in Business. I took a look in a coach car and it looked pretty much the same. The only difference I could tell is that it appeared their might have been a little less leg room, but not really sure. Food and drinks in the diner car all had costs. I "thought" non-alcoholic drinks were included for business? I ended up paying for everything I got out of the diner, and nobody ever came through our car to offer anything complementary. Is this the norm, and if so I have to wonder about what it the real value of business class over coach for future trips? Any advice/insight is appreciated!
Jan 4, 2015, 11:17 am
#10
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If it was 2-1 on NER, I would book it every week. Don't see the value as it stands. Prefer the quiet car.
If it was 2-1 on NER, I would book it every week. Don't see the value as it stands. Prefer the quiet car.
Jan 4, 2015, 2:49 pm
#11
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: New York, NY, USA
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Food and drinks in the diner car all had costs. I "thought" non-alcoholic drinks were included for business? I ended up paying for everything I got out of the diner, and nobody ever came through our car to offer anything complementary. Is this the norm, and if so I have to wonder about what it the real value of business class over coach for future trips? Any advice/insight is appreciated!
The only other perks are free newspaper, usually left sitting in the luggage rack; more leg room; curtains on the windows; and a guaranteed seat. BC is never oversold, whereas that can happen in coach occasionally.