Amtrak’s latest efforts to deliver a New Standard of Travel include the expansion of Reserved Seating (formerly Seat Assignment) to Acela Business Class passengers for travel beginning Monday, August 3 with no extra fees. Reserved seating, one of several improvements Amtrak has made to enhance its cleaning and safety protocols, will allow travelers to view and select their seats before traveling, including those available in the Quiet Car, and provide a snapshot of the overall crowdedness of the train. Passengers and employees are required to wear face masks or an alternative facial covering while in stations and onboard trains.

Passengers will automatically be designated a seat at the time of payment and have the option to change their seat using an interactive car and seat map on the Amtrak app or Amtrak.com. As part of Amtrak’s commitment to keeping passengers safe, only window seats will be available for booking while Acela operates at a reduced capacity. Aisle and rear-facing table seats will appear as blocked in the customer seat maps. Passengers traveling with companions or in groups will have designated reserved seats in separate rows, but may choose to sit together while onboard.

Station and contact center agents and conductors are also able to modify passengers’ seat assignments. To assist passengers with finding their reserved car and seat locations, exterior and on-board signage will be installed on Acela trainsets. Signage and boarding locations will be placed on platforms at stations along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).

–via Press Release