Coach class is offered on every Amtrak train and features wide, reclining seats with ample legroom, no middle seat option and at-seat trays, reading lights and electric outlets. Restrooms are located in each car.

Amtrak coach seats are significantly larger and more comfortable than standard airline seats, feeling more like "Easy Boy" recliners. On long-distance trains (like the California Zephyr or Empire Builder), coach seats feature a massive amount of legroom—often 40 to 42 inches of pitch—and include a fold-out leg rest and a deep recline, making them viable for sleeping on overnight trips. The seats are typically 2-by-2, meaning there are no middle seats. They are covered in a durable blue or grey fabric/faux-leather and come equipped with two 120V power outlets at every seat, a large tray table, and an overhead reading light. On shorter, regional routes (like the Northeast Regional), the seats are slightly narrower and may not have the leg rest, but they still offer far more personal space than an economy seat on a plane. The windows are also much larger, designed for "scenic viewing" rather than just a glimpse outside.