One of the top 5 routes in the Amtrak system is the Coast Starlight operating between Los Angeles, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Pacific Northwest and Seattle. The Coast Starlight passes through miles and miles of spectacular scenery from the Pacific Coast in Southern California to the Cascade Mountains in Oregon and much more. In addition to the scenery, the route has always been a top choice for the traveling public and throughout the years, Amtrak has added a variety of enhancements to make the journey even more enjoyable.
“This is going to be an exciting summer for passengers travelling on board the Coast Starlight.” -Mark Murphy, Amtrak Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Long Distance Business Line
First Class passengers travelling in private sleeping accommodations have access to their own private lounge car, the Pacific Parlour Car, that offers an array of premium amenities such as alternative dining options and an afternoon wine tasting for a small charge.
This week, Amtrak announced that they are adding another enhancement to the train for a pilot program running through the end of September. Starting this week, the Coast Starlight will feature Business Class accommodations in addition to both Coach and First Class accommodations. The Business Class section is located on the lower level of one of the Coach cars that has been recently converted to provide this upgraded experience for passengers.
Business Class amenities include:
- Access to the Pacific Parlour Car
- Access to the Metropolitan Lounge in Los Angeles and Portland
- Food and beverage coupon for the Dining Car, Lounge or Parlour Car
- Reserved seating exclusively for Business Class passengers
- Complimentary Wi-Fi access
“This is going to be an exciting summer for passengers travelling on board the Coast Starlight,” said Mark Murphy, Amtrak Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Long Distance Business Line. “The Coast Starlight has long been one of the most popular long-distance trains in our network and we are delighted to bring this new elevated level of service to our passengers.”
Pacific Parlour Car features include enhanced services such as alternative dining, casual seating and, for an additional fee of $7.50, a daily wine tasting. Access to the Parlour Car had previously been limited to only Sleeping Car passengers. New Business Class fares start as low as $39.00 one-way between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara and $172.00 between Los Angeles and Seattle.
New Dining Options for Coach Passengers
Amtrak has also introduced new dining options for Coach passengers this season with the Just-For-You menu. This new dining option is only available for Coach passengers who wish to enjoy dining at their seat instead of in the Dining or Lounge Cars. The Just-For-You menu is available during the lunch and dinner hours. Complete details of this option are available on board the train from the train attendant.
For additional information on the Coast Starlight or for schedule and fare information, visit Amtrak.com. As with any service, including a pilot program, all services and amenities are subject to change without notice.
Image: The Coast Starlight travelling along the Pacific Coast. Photo: Amtrak.
