FlyerTalk Forums - Any changes to Acela First Class?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmd (Post 33142134)

Also, Im sure this has been brought up on here, but am I the only one that tips the train staff? I give between $5 and $10 depending on how much of a pita im being.

For the NYP to PHL route, I tip $5

Quote:

Originally Posted by rittenhousesq (Post 33142424)

For the NYP to PHL route, I tip $5

I continue the custom as well (also generally $5). However, I see few others tipping these days.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmd (Post 33142141)

Are they now selling two of the four seats at the table? I assume they're still blocking one of the seats at the two person table.

Just one of the F seats on a four-seater may be pre-reserved. They tell pax traveling together that on-board, they may move to be together at a table.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxguy (Post 33141483)

As of next week, the Acela First Class seatmaps are being changed to allow up to 20 window seats to be selected/occupied, vs. the current 16. This includes the dreaded Row 16, which is right against the galley and do not recline at all. One of the FC attendants told me that their rules allow one attendant to serve up to 20 passengers; above that, Amtrak must staff two attendants.

Thank you for the heads up! Yesterday I got a random seat change, for a trip coming up in 2 weeks, and then an email from Amtrak telling me that the seat map has changed. Your post explains why in more detail. Since they auto-re-booked me to a two-person table seat, I moved myself to a quad table seat, hopefully have the table all by myself BOS-WAS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radiowell (Post 33143461)

As of now, you are guaranteed to have a two- or four-person table to yourself if you can snag it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbmd (Post 33142134)

I've been on Acela F twice a week for the last few months (NYP-30th route). Salmon is absolutely excellent. Restaurant level good (I actually crave it at 5p when in Moynihan). Unfortunately, they run out of Salmon 90% of the time on the Sunday night train from PHL. As an aside, I don't understand why domestic airlines can serve food this good in J... Surely it has to be a somewhat similar setup.

Moynihan lounge at is the exact opposite of the NYP lounge. As you can see from the pictures, it has an Asian airport feel to it (reminds me of the new terminal at ICN). They just started serving non-alcoholic drinks and snacks at the Moynihan lounge last week (although they may be hiding the booze from the only millennial in there... I kid). Just had a sparkling water as I only had about 5min before the train left. Offering seemed to be much better than the usual stuff at 30th, although no hot food. The food/drink is staffed by a lounge attendant. Pro tip is to hang out on the balcony overlooking the train hall as you are sort of outside and you can see when boarding actually begins plus its more difficult to shame you for not having a mask covering nose, face, and chin.

They spent so much time and money on Moynihan, but overlooked the ability to board right from the lounge via elevator like you do at 30th. Sort of a head scratcher.

Also, Im sure this has been brought up on here, but am I the only one that tips the train staff? I give between $5 and $10 depending on how much of a pita im being.

I had the Teriyaki Salmon with Forbidden rice on Saturday. I would agree it came up to restaurant quality, although the veggies I ate had little taste as they were drenched in Teriyaki sauce, which was not a bad thing as the sauce was decent. I never thad this rice before, but I found better than white race, especially with the sauce. I would recommend ordering this if you like fish, although salmon is far below my preference. I was traveling on the Saturday morning Acela WAS-BOS and asked for the meal just east of New London, so the food was well stocked. I did have a good share of prosecco and white wine and got my money's worth there! The train was virtually sold out in all cars. I used a 12 hour upgrade as my table seat in the Quiet Car had another passenger and I took the last open seat in First. Next time I travel in First, if the menu does not change by then, I will try to the short ribs as a comparison.

I was traveling in FC this past weekend. (Need to use some of these upgrades I have been building up.) Anyway, he said that the current meal service is still temporary and better FC meal service will be coming but did not have a date as to when. But I imagine it will be late summer/early fall. I already booked a ticket for Labour Day, and it showed all seats available for sale.

So someone on Amtrak's Facebook page posted of picture an Acela meal that was described as "shrimp in lobster sauce." That seems to be a new dish - when I asked, the poster stated that the salmon dish was not on the menu (but the short ribs still were). I last traveled in first class two weeks ago and the menu was the same as it had been.
So it seems the menu has been refreshed very recently. I'll included the photo that was posted over on Facebook.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...24e91ea2e9.jpg

I was in First recently. Short round trip so I didn't eat anything, but the menu looked the same to me.

I finally tried the Amtrak Old Fashioned and it was as good as you could expect on a train.

6/24 - Acela #2163 NYP - PHL

Train was 100% full in First class. This was my first time on a train since Amtrak ended the capacity controls. Wow, what a change! There was one attendant in the galley and one taking orders and delivering food and beverage. On my last trip, back in May, I had my drink served within minutes of sitting down and my meal served by the time we were departing Newark. This time my meal didn't arrive until we were approaching Trenton. They really need a second person helping with the service. Also, I recall prior to COVID, the attendant would ask, as we were departing NYP who was only going as far as Philly and then would make sure those people got their meal first.
The menus are bigger now and the salmon dish (which I didn't like) has been replaced with the shrimp with lobster sauce that I posted about previously. I thought it tasted pretty good. I'm glad to see the loads coming back and all the business travelers, but the relaxed atmosphere of the previous months is gone!

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...07faad60bf.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...657c2b835c.jpg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...2aa82b936a.jpg

Just rode WAS-NYP earlier this week, the menu was identical to what rittenhousesq posted above. The car was nearly full; galley attendant was a bit grumpy but the aisle attendant was excellent. The omelet was just fine, a bit better than I expected. It was my first time in the new NYP lounge and it is night and day compared to the old club… beautiful space, lots of food options, friendly employees.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...94ab72ef4.jpeg
Veggie omelet
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...1d8764d91.jpeg
NYP metropolitan lounge terrace

Just booked my first trip in Acela First Class in 3-4 years, any single forward facing seats better than others?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWA Guy (Post 33391633)

Just booked my first trip in Acela First Class in 3-4 years, any single forward facing seats better than others?

It probably goes without saying to avoid the table seats (2F/3F, 8F/9F, 10A/11A, 14A/15A) unless traveling with a partner. Personally I like 10F if forward-facing. Many of the seats that switch directions have some "wobble" to them. Plus 10F feels a little more private (at least to me) due to configuration of tables, and you don't have to feel guilty about reclining into a person behind you. Just be careful because 10F is rear facing half the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. BoH (Post 33392017)

thanks! 10F is rear facing so I grabbed 7F

Riding WAS-NYP this morning and the menu remains the same as it was earlier this month. Only change I noticed was the presentation was slightly different.

Also, regarding the seat question above I personally prefer the single side table seats the best, even if it means I end up across from a random person. I find the regular seat back tables too wobbly, these tables are larger and firmer and make it easier to work from.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...0ad19c5e5.jpeg