Amtrak has introduced its new Airo trainsets into passenger service, with the first two trains beginning operations on the Amtrak Cascades route in the Pacific Northwest.
The new trains entered service on 30 September, operating four daily trips between Vancouver, British Columbia, Seattle, Portland and Eugene. They are the first Airo trainsets to carry passengers in the US.
Amtrak has ordered eight Airo trainsets for Amtrak Cascades, together with two new locomotives and a spare cab car. Further trainsets are scheduled to enter service through early 2027, eventually replacing the route’s existing fleet.
The first four services using the new trains are:
- Train 516: Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
- Train 508: Eugene to Seattle, 4:30 p.m.–10:50 p.m.
- Train 503: Seattle to Eugene, 7:10 a.m.–1:48 p.m.
- Train 519: Vancouver, B.C., to Seattle, 4:45 p.m.–9:10 p.m.
The Airo trainsets were designed for use in the Pacific Northwest and retain the green, cream and mocha colour scheme associated with Amtrak Cascades.
Each trainset has more than 300 seats and includes adjustable headrests, panoramic windows, updated lighting and modern interiors. Passengers will also have access to complimentary Wi-Fi, individual power outlets and USB-C ports, as well as digital passenger information displays.
Accessibility features include accessible seating, automated steps and enhanced wayfinding. Each train has six restrooms with touchless controls. The onboard café has also been updated, with food and drink options influenced by the Pacific Northwest.
Amtrak Interim President Byl Herrmann said:The arrival of the new Airo fleet marks an exciting moment for the Amtrak Cascades and passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest. After extensive planning, design, manufacturing and testing, we’re excited to welcome customers aboard. This is an important milestone not only for Amtrak Cascades customers, but for Amtrak’s broader effort to modernize and expand passenger rail across the country.
The introduction of Airo is part of a wider fleet replacement programme. The next planned deployment is on the Northeast Regional, where the first Airo trainset has completed production and entered testing ahead of a planned service launch in late 2027.
Future Airo trainsets will use Amtrak’s national red, white and blue branding while retaining the core design features of the fleet.
The Airo trainsets are being manufactured in the US by Siemens Mobility. According to Amtrak, the trains incorporate components from almost 100 suppliers across 31 states.
Tobias Bauer, CEO of Siemens Mobility North America said:This is more than the debut of a new train, it’s the moment a once-in-a-generation investment in American passenger rail becomes real for travellers. Airo brings together American manufacturing, decades of global rail expertise, and intelligent digital technology to create a fleet built for the future.
The Airo fleet is being funded in part through federal investment in passenger rail, including funding provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The Amtrak Cascades route connects communities in Washington and Oregon with Vancouver, B.C., providing an alternative to travel along the Interstate 5 corridor.
With the first two Airo trainsets now in passenger service, additional vehicles will be introduced as they are completed and tested, with the full Amtrak Cascades fleet expected to transition to Airo trains by early 2027.
