Brightline has reached an agreement with certain financial stakeholders to restructure its debt, with $490 million in new financing committed as part of the deal. The Florida-based company operates a rail service that connects Miami and Orlando. 17 affiliated Brightline entities filed for Chapter 11 protection on September 24 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey.
Brightline Trains Florida LLC, which operates the train service, will remain outside the Chapter 11 proceedings and continue operating.
Note: Chapter 11 allows businesses to reorganize their debts while continuing operations under court supervision. A Chapter 11 filing does not necessarily mean that a business is closing. For additional information, readers are encouraged to contact the business directly.
Brightline Reaches Financial Restructuring Agreement
According to the recent press release, Brightline announced a Restructuring Support Agreement (RSA) on September 25 with certain financial stakeholders. The stakeholders included an ad hoc group of mutual fund bondholders and Assured Guaranty, Inc. The agreement is aimed at reducing Brightline’s debt and improving its liquidity.
Under the agreement, supporting stakeholders have committed $490 million in new long-term capital to Brightline Trains Florida LLC. The financing includes $350 million in new junior debt and $140 million in additional senior debt.
17 Affiliated Entities File for Chapter 11
Court records on Pacermonitor show that 17 affiliated Brightline entities filed voluntary Chapter 11 petitions on September 24, 2026, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The filings are part of the company’s prearranged restructuring process.
- FIHP LLC
- FIHPNP LLC
- FIHPNPNJ LLC
- AAF Jacksonville Segment LLC
- BL Florida LLCBLH Investment LLC
- BLTF Holdings LLC
- Brevard FGT LLC
- Brightline East LLC
- Brightline Holdings LLC
- Brightline Management LLC
- Brightline Property Holdings LLC
- DT Miami LLC
- Flagler Management LLC
- Flagler Management West LLC
- Florida Investment Holdings LLC
- New Flagler Development LLC
PACER records show that Brightline Holdings LLC made the filing while listing more than 1,000 creditors. Further details are summarized here:
- Filing Date: September 24, 2026
- Court and Jurisdiction: U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey
- Case Status: Active
- Type of Filing: Voluntary Petition
- Chapter: 11
- Case Number: 26-20874-MEH
- Estimated Assets: Between $1,000,000,001 and $10 billion
- Estimated Liabilities: Between $1,000,000,001 and $10 billion
- Estimated Creditors: Between 1,000 and 5,000
There are some obligations under the new financing, including those tied to non-operating parent entities that will file, which are subject to court approval.
The press release shows that Brightline Trains Florida LLC, which operates Brightline Florida’s train service, will not make the filing. Instead, it will continue operating normally under its existing management team.
Other entities that will remain outside the Chapter 11 process are:
- AAF Operations Holdings LLC – It indirectly holds the rights to develop commuter service in Tampa.
- Brightline Florida Holdings LLC – It indirectly holds development rights for Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and Broward counties.
Restructuring Advisors
Cole Schotz LLP and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP are Brightline’s legal advisors. Houlihan Lokey Capital, Inc. and Perella Weinberg Partners LP are acting as its investment bankers. Alvarez & Marsal North America, LLC is the financial advisor.
Milbank LLP and Lazard Inc. are the advisors of Assured Guaranty. GLC Advisors & Co., LLC and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (US) LLP are the ad hoc mutual fund group’s advisors.
Existing Bonds to Remain Outstanding
Some of Brightline’s existing bonds will remain in place during the restructuring. These include the $2.2 billion Brightline Trains Florida LLC Issue, Series 2024 (Tax-Exempt) Bonds and the related bond insurance from Assured Guaranty.
The following three bond issues will also remain unchanged. Brightline said their total principal amounts will not be reduced:
- $985 million Brightline Florida Passenger Rail Expansion Project, Series 2025B Bonds
- $925 million AAF Operations Holdings LLC Issue, Series 2024 (Tax-Exempt) Bonds
- $285.7 million AAF Operations Holdings LLC Issue, Series 2024A (Tax-Exempt) Bonds
Brightline Plans to Continue Expansion Projects
Alongside its Miami-to-Orlando rail operations, Brightline plans to continue pursuing several growth projects. This covers additional stations along its corridor, including in Cocoa.
The company also plans to develop commuter access in Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. In addition, it hopes to expand its passenger rail network between Orlando station and Tampa.
The company currently connects Central and South Florida with stations in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Boca Raton.
Brightline stated that its 2026 year-to-date ridership through August increased 14% compared with the same period in 2025.
The press release also shows that the company also had a 17% year-over-year increase in total revenue through the first eight months of 2026.
The rail operator said the new financing will provide additional liquidity while supporting the company’s continued growth.
