To identify the best cities for expats, Global Citizen Solutions assessed each location across seven livable cities indicators: cost of living, safety, air quality, healthcare, ease of settling in, English proficiency, and enhanced mobility. The team used information from publicly available datasets to create a score between 0 and 100.

Under that methodology, Lisbon earned the top spot as the best city for expats in 2026. The Portuguese capital garnered a score of 88.49 in Global Citizen Solutions’ study, earning consistently high rankings across all categories. It’s among the least expensive capitals in the index, one of the cleanest cities when it comes to air quality, and it boasts a higher safety score than other European metropolises like Paris, Rome, and Barcelona.

Additionally, Portugal offers expats several pathways to residency, including its flexible digital nomad visa, which allows participants to renew for up to four years, and its residence-by-investment program, which offers a path to citizenship.

Clocking in at No. 2 on the list is Amsterdam, with a score of 81.97 thanks to strong safety levels, high-quality healthcare, and clean air—perhaps due to the famous cycling culture. The Dutch capital also had the highest level of English proficiency across the index’s European cities, making daily life extraordinarily accessible for American expats.

Vienna’s well-connected public transportation systems and expansive green spaces make it an extremely livable city.

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Melbourne ranks as the highest-performing city outside Europe in third place. The cosmopolitan Australian city scored 81.79 points due to its accessible living environment and remarkably clean air. “High-quality healthcare, stable governance, and well-developed urban systems support a reliable standard of living, particularly for residents relocating from other English-speaking countries,” the report says.

Vienna scooped up fourth place with a score of 81.07 based on its strong performance in healthcare, comparatively manageable cost of living, well-connected public transportation systems, and expansive green spaces.

Argentina is moving closer to launching a so-called golden passport scheme, and experts say the initiative is set to be one of the most influential in the world.

The program will be the first of its kind to launch in South America, and it’s poised to offer unique benefits, including proximity to the United States, a foothold in a nation with a G20 economy, and visa-free access to a long list of countries around the globe.

Golden passport schemes are immigration programs in which nations offer individuals citizenship in return for significant investments into certain sectors. From a policy standpoint, Argentina’s program is expected to be “unlike anything else on the market,” according to the website at Arton Capital, an investment firm specializing in global citizenship. Immigration experts say Argentina plans to make it more accessible than competing programs, with unique structural benefits like a brief application processing period and the potential for family members to join the primary investor for free.

Here’s a look at what we know about the program so far, including its anticipated launch date and benefits.

When is Argentina launching a golden passport?

The legal basis for Argentina’s citizenship by investment program was first passed in July 2025, when President Javier Milei signed Decree 524/2025. This legislation established the opportunity for international investors to apply for the citizenship without having residence in Argentina.

The program is now in its final implementation phase, according to Arton Capital. However, officials are still deliberating over crucial policy details, like investment thresholds and qualifying sectors, as well as application procedures.

In late April 2026, Milei appointed an executive director to help build and implement the program’s framework. With this important development, experts are predicting that the program will officially launch in the second half of 2026.

What differentiates it from other golden passports?

Argentina’s citizen by investment scheme will offer numerous perks for travelers, including unlocking frictionless access to some of the most popular international destinations. The country’s passport is ranked No. 16 in the world, offering top-tier mobility and visa-free access to 114 countries, according to Passport Index.

This will be a key draw for investors and global citizens. “Given its proximity to the United States, and suspected visa-free access to the United Kingdom, Uruguay, and Japan, Argentina’s program will be a very appealing option for those wanting optionality without having to entirely relocate their lives,” says Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and founder of the Passport Index.

Travelers with an Argentine passport also get open travel access to South American nations that are part of the Mercosur bloc, including Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Peru.

Another key perk is the program’s short approval time. Applications are set to take 30 business days to process, according to Argentina’s Ministry of Economy. This will likely make Argentina’s golden passport “very competitive within the industry,” Arton says. “It could distinguish itself with projected 30-day processing times, rivaling the current market-leading processing times of Caribbean programs, including Saint Lucia, Grenada, and Antigua and Barbuda,” he says.

However, it’s important to note that these are all just proposals at this point. Travelers will need to wait for the program’s official launch to know for sure how it will be structured.

What are the investment requirements?

The biggest aspect of the citizen by investment program that has yet to be established is the amount and type of investments required for travelers to participate in the scheme.

Usually with golden passport initiatives, country officials set a minimum investment threshold of hundreds of thousands of dollars and target economic sectors they’re actively trying to grow. “It depends on the country’s own individual needs, with programs worldwide tailored to benefit the lives of the host citizens—as well as the investor,” Arton says.

You’ve probably heard of the Chase Sapphire Preferred—either because you have this credit card, or because you’ve traveled with someone who does.

For less than $100 a year, this travel card comes with an annual hotel credit, generous complimentary travel insurance, and neat rewards on dining, online groceries, and travel expenses.

If this wasn’t compelling enough, the Chase Sapphire Preferred actually just got better: As of June 10, 2026, new and existing cardholders will get even more benefits with no increase to the $95 annual fee. Here’s everything you need to know about the updates.

A $100 annual hotel credit more than covers the card fee

The Chase Sapphire Preferred hasn’t been updated in several years. Out of the new perks, the two best changes are the $100 annual hotel credit, and the bonus rewards on gas and EV charging expenses as well as vacation home rentals.

Cardholders also get a $100 annual credit toward hotels booked through Chase—double the previous amount—and statement credits worth up to $120 once every four years to cover the cost of Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS enrollment for expedited airport security screening. The $100 hotel credit alone gets you ahead of the card’s $95 annual fee, and goes much farther toward covering the cost of an average night’s stay than the previous $50. (If you’ve already used your Sapphire Preferred credit for 2026, you’ll receive an additional $50 to spend before your next card anniversary.)

Pay for your next vacation with elevated rewards

Starting June 15, 2026, new and existing Sapphire Preferred cardholders will earn 3 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on gas and EV charging purchases as well as vacation home rentals, including Airbnb and Vrbo. Earning 3 points per dollar on gas and EV charging also makes current fuel prices feel a little more bearable, while the same elevated rewards rate brings Airbnb and Vrbo purchases on par with hotel stays and other traditional housing.

Furthermore, cardholders will also get complimentary emergency evacuation and transportation travel insurance coverage on eligible claims, as well as a one-year Apple TV+ subscription if they activate this benefit by December 31, 2026.

All of these new perks are in addition to the Sapphire Preferred’s many existing benefits, which include earning 5 points per dollar on travel purchased through Chase; 3 points per dollar on dining and online groceries; no foreign transaction fees on purchases made internationally; and generous travel insurance protections on flights, hotels, and rental cars that you purchase with the credit card.

A no-brainer for families and casual travelers

With these new benefits, the Chase Sapphire Preferred becomes a no-brainer for families and casual travelers who need a credit card that works for both everyday expenses as well as travel. The bonus categories allow you to quickly rack up points on food, transportation, and other little expenses that add up in no time—funding your next big family vacation or getaway before you know it.

If you only take a big trip once or twice a year, the Chase Sapphire Preferred makes far more sense in your wallet than a pricy credit card with luxury travel perks. Premium travel credit cards like the Amex Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve often focus heavily on rewards for airfare and hotel spending. However, infrequent travelers often turn to road trips when flight prices trend upward, especially when traveling with a family.

Two drawbacks primarily impact points and miles fans

There are, however, two major downsides to the Sapphire Preferred’s newest update: Chase to Hyatt transfer rates are decreasing, and the 10% anniversary bonus is going away. While this news is a bummer for points and miles aficionados, everyday travelers and cashback rewards fans will barely notice the change.

That’s not to minimize the current disruptions. But it helps explain why many tourism operators are viewing the situation as disruptive but manageable.

“From the operators we work with in Bolivia, the message is consistent: this is not unprecedented, and it is not, from their perspective, a cause for serious alarm,” says Alice Farkas, a marketing and communications specialist at Aracari Travel, which operates in Bolivia.

What does this mean for my trip?

For most visitors, the answer depends on how much you plan on traveling internally within Bolivia.

Bolivia’s marquee attractions remain open. Travelers are still visiting the Salar de Uyuni, exploring Sucre’s colonial center, spending time on Lake Titicaca, and exploring the Amazon. Hotels and tour operators continue to welcome guests.

However, the complicating factor is transportation within the country, as classic Bolivia itineraries often involve long travel days between destinations, many of them by road. When protests close a major route, what would normally be a straightforward road trip could become significantly delayed—or require rerouting altogether.

“There is also a fuel shortage nationwide, which means that even where road travel is technically possible, many vehicles simply cannot operate,” says Farkas, adding that they recommend travelers look into flights where they may otherwise have driven. “Air travel is experiencing some delays for the same reason, but it remains the most reliable way to move between cities right now.”

Should I cancel my trip to Bolivia?

At the moment, most operators say no.

“At this point, we are advising travelers to modify rather than abandon their plans,” says Farkas. “For those with itineraries that include La Paz, adjustments are sensible. For travelers heading to Uyuni, Sucre, Santa Cruz, or the Amazon, there is no reason to change plans.”

She added that her company recommends avoiding La Paz as a destination for now, or using it only as a transit point.

Similarly, rather than telling Americans to avoid Bolivia altogether, US officials are urging travelers to avoid protest areas, monitor local developments, prepare for transportation disruptions, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get alerts from the US embassy or consulate.

Browne recommends checking in regularly with tour operators, hotels, and transportation providers before departure and throughout a trip, as conditions can change quickly. Travelers should also build additional flexibility into their schedules, particularly if they are moving between multiple destinations.

What to know about travel insurance

Travelers should also review the fine print of their travel insurance policies before departure, says Lee Thompson, co-founder of adventure tour operator Flash Pack.

“The point people miss is insurance,” Thompson says. “Once a government advises against travel to a region (meaning Level 3 or 4), most policies covering it stop being valid. So you’re not just weighing risk, you could be traveling completely uninsured.”

Travelers with trips booked independently may want to contact their insurer directly to understand exactly what is and isn’t covered before departing.

It’s worth noting that the State Department did also update its advisory in April to add a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warning for the country’s Chapare Province, a coca-growing region in central Bolivia that has long faced issues related to narcotrafficking. The warning is unrelated to the current protest movement and applies to a Central Bolivia region that most international visitors are unlikely to encounter on a typical Bolivia itinerary.

For now, operators say Bolivia remains very much open to tourism. But visitors should arrive with realistic expectations about travel delays—and a willingness to adapt if plans need to change.

On the morning of his wife’s birthday, Eric Holmer woke up before 5 a.m. to an email that would send his family of five from Wisconsin to the Baltic Sea. As he shook his wife awake he said, “Happy birthday. We’re custodians of a Swedish island now.”

Holmer, a 42-year-old from Madison, was just named the American winner of Visit Sweden’s “Your Swedish Island” initiative, a global campaign that drew more than 2,200 video entries from 100 countries. In May, the tourism organization selected five custodians to steward remote Swedish islands for a year—allowing them to access the island as often as they want over the course of 12 months.

“As an island custodian, you are free to enjoy the island in your own way, as long as you follow the Right of Public Access and respect Swedish law,” the contest’s rules say. “You may swim, camp, set up a tent, invite guests and spend time in nature, provided you show consideration for wildlife, the environment and other visitors.”

The campaign—which was only open to international travelers, not Swedish citizens—was built around a simple premise: as crowds pile up at the world’s most-visited destinations, Sweden has thousands of islands that almost nobody has heard of, and it would like people to go there. Along with the island access, the winner gets a travel voucher worth $2,125 to visit the country.

In addition to the US, the other winners hail from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Holmer, the only American winner, has never been to Sweden. He first heard about the contest on the radio while driving his son to a swim meet, and immediately thought of a piece of family lore: in Swedish, his surname means “Islander.” How many people in the world have that connection? He figured they actually had a shot at this.

“Fast forward to May 4th and I woke early up that day, looked at my email, and saw we had won!” he tells Condé Nast Traveler.

Holmer’s island, Skötbådan, is a granite outcropping in the northern Stockholm Archipelago near the historic island of Arholma, characterized by smooth cliffs, seabirds, and an unobstructed Nordic horizon. All five of the islands included in the contest are uninhabited and off-grid with no electricity, plumbing, or Wi-Fi. But Holmer’s, he soon learned, has something of a reputation.

Skötbådan, a granite outcropping in the northern Stockholm Archipelago near the historic island of Arholma.

Visit Sweden

France is a country that fastidiously applies rigorous nomenclature to everything from cheese to wine. (You know the rule: If it’s not made in Champagne, it’s not Champagne.) So of course a nation famed for its exacting culture and being the most visited in the world—clocking 102 million international tourists in 2025—has a very specific appellation system for its luxury hotels.

On June 2, France’s Ministry of Tourism has expanded its list of hotels and resorts with the highly-coveted “Palace” distinction for the first time since 2022. The designation recognizes a level of hospitality that, in the Ministry’s view, exceeds even that of a traditional five-star property. There are six newly minted Palace hotels in metropolitan France: Bulgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, and Fouquet’s Paris in the capital; Four Seasons Megève in the French Alps; Hôtel Martinez – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in the South of France; and Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in—where else?—Champagne.

Additionally, Palace status was renewed for 27 other hotels who reapplied for it, a coterie of urban grandes dames, rural retreats, beachfront pads, and sumptuous alpine lodges that include iconic names like Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel; Le Meurice; and Airelles Gordes, La Bastide (all three of which have just received CNT Triple Crown status, our newest—and most prestigious—award yet).

The exact criteria for what makes a Palace hotel are well guarded, but applicants are evaluated on their location, design and appearance, cultural heritage, spa and restaurant venues, and level of service, among other considerations. The distinction is not permanent and must be retained through a reapplication process every three years. In 2026, the complete tally of Palace hotels in France now comes to 33, the largest the list has ever been.

All the properties—the new initiates and those who re-pledged, so to speak—were honored at an event at the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris on June 2. Following the announcement of the six new Palaces, representatives from the hotels and members of the media were invited to something that resembled a high school science fair for luxury tourism: Select Palaces manned booths and stations that demonstrated their hotels’ offerings. Le Meurice handed out desserts by celebrity pastry chef Cedric Grollet. Hôtel de Crillon served cocktails—and non-alcoholic versions—from its popular Bar Les Ambassadeurs. Shangri-la Paris had a spa therapist on hand for five-minute face massages. Les Sources de Caudalie (another CNT Triple Crown winner) poured Bordeaux wine from its estate’s vineyards. Southwestern countryside hotel Les Prés d’Eugénie brought jars of honey as well as the bees that made them.

Not present, however, were the hotels whose Palace distinctions were not renewed after the latest nationwide evaluation: Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz – The Unbound Collection by Hyatt; Mandarin Oriental, Paris; and Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme (a winner of the CNT Triple Crown). Answering a question from the audience, Christian Mantei, the president of the country’s tourism development agency Atout France, explained that any hotel that has lost its Palace label is welcome to reapply again next year. According to chatter among the event attendees, all three will likely pursue Palace status after significant property renovations.

Perhaps that’s what France has figured out, the whole point to such meticulous labeling processes. No one gets to rest on their laurels, and so the standards—whether of cheese, wine, or luxury hotels—are raised ever higher, most often to the benefit of travelers. To next year’s would-be Palaces: Bon chance.

One of the busiest airports in the country has launched an innovative solution to alleviate long security lines, just in time for the busy summer travel season.

On June 1, Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) opened the first “remote” airport terminal in the US. The new facility, officially called the Logan Airport Remote Terminal at Framingham, is part of a groundbreaking pilot program to allow certain travelers to skip long lines at TSA and head directly to their departure gate.

The project is run by the Massachusetts Port Authority, also known as Massport. Passengers who qualify for the pilot program simply need to make an online reservation to use the remote terminal and pay a $9 fee. Registered travelers can then check in, print their boarding passes, drop their checked bags, and complete their security screening at the Framingham facility. The TSA screening experience will be exactly like the process in a standard terminal. (However, there is no designated PreCheck lane.)

After going through TSA, travelers then immediately board a secure shuttle bus and drive for about 30 minutes to Boston Logan, where they’re dropped off beyond the security checkpoint and can walk straight to their gate.

“Imagine arriving at the airport having already checked in and cleared security and then being dropped off just steps from your gate,” Massport CEO Rich Davey said in a statement in May. “This is the kind of stress-free process we’re working to make a reality for everyone.”

The concept is sure to be alluring to many travelers, as snaking lines from March’s government shutdown still loom large in fliers’ collective memories and summer vacation crowds begin to throng terminals.

“This is an interesting way for passengers to avoid congested airport processes,” says Gary Leff, an aviation expert and Condé Nast Traveler travel advisor. “It can save a lot of money on airport construction as well to increase capacity, which is especially difficult to do while an airport remains in full operation.”

For now, only travelers flying with Delta or JetBlue between 5:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. will be able to use Boston’s remote terminal. Reservations are available from 90 days before departure, up until just 90 minutes before takeoff. During the trial period there will be limited slots, so interested travelers are encouraged to book the service as early as possible.

To secure your spot, head to Massport’s dedicated remote terminal booking page. From there, click “purchase tickets” and select your airline. You can add as many tickets as you need, based on how many people you’re traveling with, and then enter your flight information. (Children under 18 are free with a ticketed family member.) The system then recommends a bus departure time to ensure travelers arrive at the BOS terminal at least 45 minutes before their flight departs.

Buses will be operated by The Landline Company, which specializes in secure airport transfers, and depart Framingham every hour on the hour. It’s not clear how many travelers will be allowed in the remote terminal at once, but Landline’s buses will hold a total of 55 passengers each.

On the same booking page, travelers can also purchase return bus tickets from Boston Logan to the Framingham remote terminal. That service is called Framingham LEX and is available curbside at all BOS terminals.

And if you’re not flying Delta or JetBlue anytime soon, don’t worry: Massport says it has plans to expand the remote terminal program to include additional airlines and their passengers in the near future.

These tools will give a reliable indication of how full you can expect the flight to be. But remember, most airlines continue to assign seats throughout the check-in process, and seats might be shuffled by gate agents to accommodate families and other travelers who need special attention.

Use an upgrade tool like ExpertFlyer or AwardFares

Another method for checking how many seats have been booked on a plane—especially if you’re doing so in order to gauge the odds of an automatic upgrade—is to use online services like AwardFares or ExpertFlyer. Both websites help travelers track seat availability for upgrades and frequent flier award flights.

AwardFares provides a live seat map that shows travelers which seats on their flight are available, occupied, or being blocked by the airline (for elite status passengers or for other operational reasons). Users can create a free login to access the site. However, be aware that the number of passengers on your flight can still change before boarding. “A seat map is a strong indicator, but not a 100% guarantee of flight fullness,” AwardFares says. “The most accurate picture emerges within 24 hours of departure.”

Meanwhile, ExpertFlyer shows travelers which seats are occupied and which are still available on flights up to 11 months in advance across more than 100 global airlines. Paying premium users can set up to 200 simultaneous alerts to track seat availability across different routes.

Both companies offer flight availability search features, so travelers can search their specific flight or flights on their route of choice and see exactly how many seats are left in each fare class. The search features display the fare code and the number of seats left in that fare class, and travelers can view more details about each fare class by hovering over the search result.

Sneak a peek at check-in

Depending on your airline, you’re almost certainly able to get a peek at the seat map during the check-in process, which starts 24 hours before departure. This usually comes with the chance to select or purchase seats, and as such will show you how many open seats are available the day before your flight.

If the plane is looking too crowded for comfort, you’ll still have time to switch to a new flight. Many US airlines have eliminated change fees for most cabin classes, so there’s no penalty for swapping to a less full flight. (You will have to pay any difference in fare, though.)

American Airlines allows all domestic passengers to add their names to standby lists for other flights on their day of travel for free. If enough seats are available on the flight, you can change at no charge.

If you have elite status, you may have even more options. United Airlines, for instance, offers a same-day confirmation service on select flights for all passengers with elite status—that means they can make a guaranteed switch to an earlier flight in the same cabin class at no charge, without paying a difference in fare.

Contact your carrier’s customer service

When in doubt, call the carrier’s customer service line and ask an agent to check how full the flight is. It might not be the most convenient option, but it will yield an answer. If you dread the idea of waiting on hold, many airlines offer customer service chat features. Southwest Airlines, United, and Delta’s mobile apps all have live chat options, and JetBlue agents are available through Apple Business Chat. United also has a text option for customer service help. Passengers can text “UNITED” to 32050, and an airline representative will get in touch when it’s your turn in the queue—no waiting on hold required.

Other tips for avoiding crowded flights

While all of the above is certainly valuable, the best way to avoid a crowded plane is to be strategic during the booking process.

The paradox of summer vacation destinations, especially in New England, is that we never want them to change too much. And in places like Cape Cod and the islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, the simple act of building a new home or opening a restaurant can sometimes feel like a downright act of war. But change is inevitable, and this summer brings plenty of it to the region.

The classic pleasures remain—beach days, twilight runs to the ice cream stand, lobster rolls so fresh they practically taste like salt air—but the region feels increasingly less like a frozen postcard of old-money summer tradition and more like a creative, experience-driven coastal playground. Hotels are leaning into wellness and design, the once-sleepy Mid Cape has emerged as a vibrant dining destination, and a heritage craft workshop on Nantucket suddenly feels as compelling a reason to sail thirty miles out to sea as the windswept beaches of Madaket. Even longtime institutions are reinventing themselves to meet this moment, whether through expanded arts programming, immersive entertainment concepts, or thoughtful preservation projects that honor the region’s history while nudging it forward. If you’re lucky enough to visit this neck of the woods this summer, here’s what’s new on our radar for the best things to do on Cape Cod.

What’s new on Cape Cod in 2026

The immediate post-pandemic years were tough on the Cape, when housing prices skyrocketed, seasonal staff became even scarcer than usual, and some businesses just never reopened. But now, it finally—finally—feels like things are rebounding.

One of the biggest openings is Backyard by Foley’s in Dennis Port, a 35,000 square-foot outdoor entertainment venue from the team behind popular Boston pub J.J. Foley’s cafe. Equal parts beer garden, family playground and live-music venue, the space revolves around a massive sail-covered central bar, with lawn games, food trucks, and nightly entertainment. Nearby, Pelham Hospitality—the group behind Pelham House Resort—continues reshaping the Mid Cape area with its new part farm, part restaurant, part music venue concept, Love Farms.

Boutique, design-forward accommodations keep multiplying across the Cape. Shore Haven by Lark Hotels is expected to open in Falmouth this summer, within walking distance of the beach. Family-friendly mega resort Ocean Edge recently opened The Charm on Main, an upscale, adults-only haven one mile down the road from the main resort, but with access to all the same amenities—its twenty-two rooms can be privatized in blocks of five, six, seven, or all 22, making it especially well-suited for buyouts and weddings. Reverie Boutique Collection solidifies its footprint on the Cape this summer by opening food and beverage components Gypsy Sol and Café Arcana at its quirky Uncommoner Hotel, which opened last summer.

Americans are one step closer to having modern, European-inspired trainsets on one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes.

The first Airo trainset arrived in Seattle this week for the final phase of testing on the Amtrak Cascades tracks, which runs from Vancouver through Washington and Oregon. It’s the first of eight trainsets that Amtrak plans to roll out along the route by the end of 2026.

The new trains will feature modern amenities, upgraded dining options and, perhaps most importantly, even bigger windows for taking in the views of some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. Here’s what travelers need to know about the new Airo trains before they welcome the first passengers on board later this year.

What to expect on board

Airo’s sleek coach cars feature upgraded, ergonomic seats with plenty of legroom, USB charging ports, sturdier tray tables, seatback tablet stands, and cupholders. “It’s a more open experience. It’s better lit. It’s newer materials,” Derek Maier, senior director of Amtrak’s Airo program, told the New York Times.

They’ll also have more capacity on board, Amtrak says. The new Airo trains will seat around 300 passengers, roughly 50% more than the current aging equipment on the line. That should help with growing ridership. More than 950,000 people traveled on the Cascades service in 2025, a 1.4% increase over the previous year.

There’s also an upgraded business class with both single and double seats, and an updated cafe car that will provide “more contemporary” and self-service food options.

The exterior of the new Airo trainset on the Cascades route.

Courtesy Amtrak

The trainsets were built domestically by Siemens, the same manufacturer as Amtrak’s new Acela trains, which debuted in the Northeast in 2025.

Prior to Seattle, the trains were first tested in Colorado on a dedicated test track, Amtrak says, and then on active tracks in the Northeast Corridor. They even stopped in Washington, DC for a photo op before heading west for this final phase of testing. Now, Amtrak will be training staff and doing practice runs along the route they’ll actually serve.

Which Amtrak routes will have the new Airo trains?

In total, 83 trainsets are on order for use across the Amtrak network, the first eight of which are set to be delivered for use on the Cascades by the end of 2026.

There are currently seven roundtrips per day along the Cascades corridor, which roughly follows Interstate 5: All but one run between the main cities of Portland and Seattle—a 3.5-hour trip—with two extending south to Eugene, Oregon and two going north to Vancouver. In 2025, the trains were on time 67% of the time.