First read is on us.

Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news.

Amtrak argues all the ways trains are better than planes in new ad campaign


Skift Take

Amtrak is need of a rebranding as badly as the U.S. is need of high-speed rail, but the two will likely come in tandem and when they do, have the potential to significantly shake up the way we choose to travel.

Amtrak is launching a new ad campaign this week featuring its Acela Express service that runs from Washington, D.C. to New York and Boston.

The “Take Off” campaign is basically a dig to air travel that shows passengers enjoying conference tables, cafes to walk around, and working Wi-Fi. (Some Amtrak riders will argued that Amtrak’s Wi-Fi is far from streaming.) The video ad only needs a few shots of riders boarding the train without TSA hassles to complete the train-flight comparison.

The northeast corridor is Amtrak’s fastest and most profitable route. It produced a fourth of the company’s ticket revenue in the year ending in September 2012, during which about 3.4 million passengers climbed onboard.

Amtrak just expanded its Acela service, adding an additional late evening weekday round-trip between New York and Washington, but is considering scrapping the Acela to make way for lighter, faster trains.

The campaign, which includes print, digital, and video components, was developed by Draftfcb New York.

Up Next

Business Travel

The State of Corporate Travel and Expense 2025

A new report explores how for travel and finance managers are targeting enhanced ROI, new opportunities, greater efficiencies, time and money savings, and better experiences for employees with innovative travel and expense management solutions.
Sponsored
Tourism

The Year of Easier Travel in Asia

As tourists prioritize convenience over bureaucracy in their journey choices, visa reforms will help determine the winners in Asia’s tourism rebound. Regions with rigid visa policies risk missing out.
Short-Term Rentals

Takeaways From NYC’s Near-Ban on Airbnb

Banning short-term rentals in New York City didn't instantly lead to a wave of affordable housing, although the impact could potentially be different in smaller towns and cities.