Photo via Fast Company
Away, the design-forward luggage brand, has partnered with Amtrak to launch a specialized luggage collection built specifically for train travel. The Topside collection addresses long-standing pain points that plague rail passengers, including luggage that shifts in narrow corridors and the awkwardness of accessing belongings in confined spaces. The three-size lineup, priced between $375 and $475, features innovations like a dual-wheel brake system and a vertical front opening that allows passengers to retrieve items without laying the bag flat.
The partnership reflects Amtrak's strategic rebranding initiative to elevate rail travel's perception among affluent, design-conscious consumers. According to Whitney Cripe, Amtrak's senior director of brand marketing, the collaboration signals the company's commitment to positioning trains as a modern, premium alternative to flying. "This partnership really helps us elevate perceptions around rail travel as a more premium modern experience," Cripe told Fast Company. The luggage line marks one of several collaborations Amtrak is pursuing to reshape its brand image and attract younger demographics.
For Atlanta-area business travelers, the timing aligns with growing infrastructure investments and sustainability concerns. Train travel offers measurable advantages for regional trips—central station locations reduce travel time to downtown districts, and Amtrak's electric trains produce 72% fewer emissions than planes. As companies increasingly adopt carbon-neutral travel policies, the availability of purpose-built luggage removes a practical barrier to choosing rail over air for East Coast corridors and the Southeast region.
Despite record ridership of 34.5 million passengers last year, Amtrak faces structural challenges that marketing alone cannot solve. Much of the fleet dates to the 1970s and 1980s, and service gaps leave many southeastern communities without rail access. While new luggage may encourage trial among premium passengers, sustainable growth will ultimately require federal investment in modernized equipment and expanded regional routes—particularly important for Atlanta's position as a major transportation hub.
