Amtrak Resumes Full Capacity on Acela as of May 23
Apr 3, 2021, 7:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,391
Amtrak Resumes Full Capacity on Acela as of May 23
Source
Limiting bookings: Starting May 23, Amtrak will no longer be limiting capacity. When searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option and adjusts as passengers make reservations. This gives customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee.
Limiting bookings: Starting May 23, Amtrak will no longer be limiting capacity. When searching for travel, the percentage of seats sold displays next to each trip option and adjusts as passengers make reservations. This gives customers the opportunity to book a train that is less crowded. If capacity exceeds comfort levels, customers can change their ticket without incurring a fee.
Apr 3, 2021, 12:40 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: NYC
Programs: Hyatt Globe, AA EXP, Marriott Gold
Posts: 90
Any insight on if this applies to all cabins? My Acela F bookings through June are still showing blocked adjacent seats. Maybe they'll continue blocking F because people are eating/drinking?
Apr 3, 2021, 5:05 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,391
I'm told it applies to the entire train. They just haven't updated the seatmaps yet. Keep your eyes on them... last week's mods for the F cabin (going from 16 to 20 available seats) knocked me out of my seat into a less desirable one in one instance, and in another my entire trip disappeared from the website and I had to call in to have it reinstated!
Apr 3, 2021, 8:18 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 311
According to the linked page it isn't just on Acela.
I assume it will take a bit for ridership to catch up with this and it's not unexpected with the airlines already doing it but I am really going to miss the zero chance that anyone will be sitting next to me.
I assume it will take a bit for ridership to catch up with this and it's not unexpected with the airlines already doing it but I am really going to miss the zero chance that anyone will be sitting next to me.
Apr 3, 2021, 8:54 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,357
Now that Amtrak has reserved seating, could a single traveler buy 2 tickets, and thereby block the adjacent seat? It would work best to sit in the window seat, and keep the aisle seat unoccupied (blocked). Would have to explain this to the conductor who may not understand it...
Apr 4, 2021, 8:35 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: AGR
Posts: 120
The short answer is "no". Amtrak will sell you a second seat but will not guarantee that seat will be next to you. If you have a medical issue requiring space such as a leg injury or medical obesity you can reserve the adjacent seat for free.