Meet the New Airo FleetAmtrak Cascades' newest trains arriving in 2026
First published February 11, 2026
As demand for passenger rail continues to rise, 2026 marks an ongoing transformation for Amtrak and one of the most comprehensive fleet overhauls in company history. At a preview event today, Amtrak President Roger Harris, USDOT Deputy Transportation Secretary and Amtrak Board Member Steve Bradbury, FRA Administrator David Fink, and Siemens Mobility CEO Tobias Bauer showcased the first new Airo train, an entirely new generation of trains designed to elevate the customer experience and strengthen service across the national network.
Designed with customers at the center, Airo trains are built to deliver greater comfort, improved reliability, and modern connectivity. More than new equipment, the Airo fleet represents the foundation of a nationwide modernization effort, expanding capacity while delivering a consistent, high-quality experience across multiple corridors.
Where Airo Begins and What’s Next
The first Airo trainsets are slated to enter service on the Amtrak Cascades, serving the Pacific Northwest corridor between Eugene, Oregon, and Vancouver, British Columbia, via Portland and Seattle. All eight Amtrak Cascades trainsets are expected to finish manufacturing in 2026.
2026 will also mark a key milestone for the Northeast Regional, as the first Airo trainsets for that route will complete production and begin testing, with revenue service expected to commence in 2027.
Airo and the Bigger Modernization Picture
The introduction of the new Airo trains follows the rollout of NextGen Acela, which entered service on the Northeast Corridor in August 2025 and served more than 60,000 customers in the first month. Together, these new trainsets signal a fundamental shift in how Amtrak serves customers – reshaping the travel experience today while laying the foundation for long-term growth.
Looking ahead, 83 Airo trainsets are planned for deployment across routes nationwide in the coming years. Collectively, they will form the backbone of a modernized Amtrak network—expanding capacity, improving reliability, and enhancing the end-to-end travel experience for customers across the country.
A Firsthand Look
Photos from the event below offer a closer look at how these investments are coming to life—and what the next chapter of passenger rail in America will look like as Airo trains roll out nationwide.
About Amtrak®
Amtrak is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality service that earns customer trust. With unprecedented demand and more riders than ever, Amtrak is modernizing trains, stations, and infrastructure building the next generation of passenger rail in America. Amtrak connects millions of travelers to more than 500 destinations across 46 states and parts of Canada. Learn more at Amtrak.com, download the Amtrak app, follow Amtrak on X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and join Amtrak Guest Rewards for free to start earning points toward Amtrak reward travel, upgrades, lounge access and more.
