Originally Posted by
jetsetter
As one who usually flys the shuttle I might take FC for the better food/beverage/ambiance but I'm not sure Acela business is really any better than Regional business or coach. Essentially business on the Acela is like coach, is it just marketing that they call it business class?
From another thread, here are the figures for seat size/pitch on Acela:
Originally Posted by
AlanB
Here are the Acela demensions:
First Class:
Seat Height 31"
Seat Width 23"
Seat Pitch 42"
Business Class:
Seat Height 31"
Seat Width 21"
Seat Pitch 42"
The Acela numbers, as well as pictures and other info can be found in
this interactive at Amtrak's website.
Based on those figures, Acela Business Class's seat pitch most decidedly outdoes Y on the shuttle and is generous even compared to F on the shuttle.
F on Acela offers a slightly wider seat and 2x1 seating but no additional pitch, although 42" (especially if you are alone and get one of the single seats) is plenty roomy enough. But aside from the wider (and single) seat and better food, Acela Business isn't any worse than Acela F (although it's generally a lot more crowded and feels like it).
First and Business on Acela are both roomier than Regional coach. Regional business cars are a crapshoot: you can get a Regional coach car with the word "Business" taped over the word "Coach" plus a free warm soda (though I think people have successfully gotten Amtrak to refund the accommodation upgrade charge when that happens), or you can get one of the Club-Dinette cars with 2x1 pseudo-leather seating with seat pitch more generous than Acela. So depending on what you get in Regional Business, your assumption about Acela Business being no better than Regional Business can swing from accurate to inaccurate.