I was on the 1st Brightline train to Orlando — here's what it was like

22.09.2023 - 18:37 / thepointsguy.com / Treasure Coast

The day has finally arrived.

After years of anticipation, months of testing and multiple delays, Brightline officially launched passenger service to (and from) its brand-new station at Orlando International Airport (MCO) on Friday.

This marks a major milestone for the company, which has been operating trains between Miami and West Palm Beach, Florida, since January 2018. With this newest expansion, you can now travel from South Florida to Central Florida (or vice versa) without braving the area's notorious highway traffic or dealing with the hassle of airport security.

I was given a seat on the inaugural train to cover this exciting new development for TPG — here's what it was like.

As a resident of the Treasure Coast, West Palm Beach is the closest Brightline station for me, so my journey began there just as the sun rose in the September sky.

The inaugural train left Miami at 6:41 a.m. and made stops at its other South Florida stations. However, it wound up being delayed in reaching us. After speeches from local dignitaries, including the mayor of West Palm Beach and the area's congressional representative, we boarded and departed shortly before 9 a.m., almost an hour behind the originally scheduled time.

When the train ultimately pulled out of the station, a surreal feeling washed over me.

Those of us on the inaugural service were the first passengers to ride the rails along this stretch of Florida's east coast in more than 55 years. Florida East Coast Railway, which still owns the tracks and operates frequent freight trains along them, ceased passenger service on July 31, 1968.

As we continued north, the populated stretches along the tracks soon gave way to undeveloped Florida scrub crossing into Martin County, with nothing but train tracks and vegetation to see. It truly felt like we had stepped back in time, and we were seeing roughly what you would have seen in the 1960s when passengers last made this journey.

Except, of course, for the train itself, which is equipped with all of the modern conveniences a traveler needs. Each seat has multiple power outlets, and the Wi-Fi truly was high-speed based on my experience and the test I ran.

I was even able to successfully join (and participate in) our morning editorial team call on Zoom.

All passengers on this inaugural train were served a continental breakfast and offered a choice of nonalcoholic beverages, though passengers on regular service have a variety of food and beverage items for purchase (they're complimentary for those in the Premium coach).

The mood on board was festive, with other members of the media and various VIPs taking part in the run to Orlando. That excitement extended outside as well, as the train was greeted by a small crowd in