Airo Trainsets Represent the Future of American Passenger Rail
About Airo
American passenger rail is entering its next era. In 2021, Siemens Mobility was selected to design and manufacture the next generation of Amtrak trainsets through a landmark $3.4 billion contract, the largest order in Siemens Mobility's history. More than a fleet replacement program, the Airo trainsets are a transformational investment in the modernization of America's transportation infrastructure and rail network.
Built by Siemens Mobility in Sacramento, California, and Lexington, North Carolina, the fleet combines modern passenger amenities with intelligent, software-enabled systems that enhance reliability, efficiency, accessibility, and the overall travel experience. Siemens has been building the fleet since 2021, leveraging technologies such as AI, robotics, real-time analytics, and digital engineering to create a new standard for passenger rail.
By revitalizing the backbone of America's rail network, the Airo program has the potential to boost ridership and reshape how Americans think about and choose to travel for generations to come. Through this landmark partnership with Amtrak, Siemens Mobility is helping to write the next chapter of American railroading.
The new trains will elevate the journey with spacious interiors, panoramic windows, plenty of legroom, double and single seats, dedicated outlets, USB ports and onboard Wi-Fi. The trains will also offer greater accessibility with onboard passenger lifts, increased accessible spaces, and enhanced audible and visual messaging that will improve the experience for all customers. The new trains can operate at speeds up to 125 mph on sections of some East Coast routes, and offer a seamless transition where time-consuming locomotive changes were previously required.
The Airo fleet also offers enhanced accessibility features, including:
- Spacious and accessible restrooms, vestibules and Café cars with integrated boarding equipment for customers with reduced mobility.
- Onboard passenger lifts, increased accessible spaces, and enhanced audible and visual messaging that will improve the experience for all customers.
- Inductive hearing technology to assist with onboard announcements.
- Wheelchair spaces and accessible transfer seating in each car with height adjustable tables to accommodate specific customer needs
In total, Amtrak has ordered 83 venture trainsets, totaling 86 charger locomotives and 576passenger coaches. Production of the Airo trains exceeds Buy America standards with more 3,500 parts of these trainsets being manufactured by nearly 100 suppliers in 31 states.
Passengers will have the opportunity to experience Airo trains on 14 routes across the country, including: Northeast Regional, Empire Service, Amtrak Virginia Services, Keystone Service, Amtrak Downeaster, Amtrak Cascades, Maple Leaf, New Haven-Springfield-Greenfield Service, Palmetto, Carolinian, Pennsylvanian, Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express and Adirondack.
