In a new partnership, Star Alliance and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) have joined forces to provide travelers in Austria with a seamless connection between air and rail travel. Effective immediately, passengers of 25 Star Alliance member airlines can use ÖBB's Airail services to conveniently commute between four Austrian cities—Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck—and Vienna Airport.
The integration of ÖBB as an intermodal partner into the Star Alliance marks a significant step in the interconnection of different modes of transport. This collaboration allows travelers to combine their air and rail journeys in a single booking process, significantly increasing convenience and flexibility. Theo Panagiotoulias, Chairman of the Star Alliance Board, emphasized the importance of this partnership:
"Air and rail have complemented each other as transport modes worldwide for many years, and we are proud to welcome ÖBB to the Star Alliance family. With a single ticket, customers can now travel from Singapore to Salzburg by transferring from a flight to the Railjet at Vienna Airport. I am confident that this partnership will not only offer more choice but also enhance customers' seamless travel experience."
The cooperation between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines has existed since 2014 under the name AIRail. This service has been continuously expanded to meet the needs of travelers. A notable milestone was the launch of the route between Innsbruck and Vienna Airport on December 15, 2024. With up to 13 daily connections, the Tyrolean capital was integrated into the AIRail network, offering passengers from this region an additional convenient travel option.
Benefits for travelers
The intermodal partnership between Star Alliance and ÖBB offers customers numerous advantages:
- Combined booking: Travelers can combine air and train travel in a single booking, simplifying the booking process.
- Check-in convenience: Passengers have the option to check in online or at the ÖBB travel centers in Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck and receive boarding passes for both flights and trains.
- Varied selection: By integrating rail and air travel, customers have a wider choice of connections based on travel times, duration and prices.
- Frequent flyer programs: Points or miles can be collected for train travel in the preferred frequent flyer program of a Star Alliance member airline.
Significance for Austria as a business location
The partnership between Star Alliance, ÖBB, and Austrian Airlines not only has a positive impact on travelers but also strengthens Austria as a business location. Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of this cooperation:
"To overcome the current challenges in the area of mobility, cooperation between different providers is crucial. The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolizes my understanding of the role of a minister as a bridge builder between the various mobility options. Infrastructure is the foundation for a functioning location, but also for the domestic economy, tourism, and society."
Historical development of the AIRail cooperation
The AIRail cooperation between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines has evolved steadily since its launch in 2014. Originally, the route was offered between Linz and Vienna Airport. In 2017, the service was expanded to include Salzburg, followed by Graz in 2020. The continuous expansion of the route network demonstrates the commitment of both companies to offering customers flexible and comfortable travel options.
For several years, Star Alliance has pursued a strategy of intermodal partnerships to promote the interconnection of different modes of transport. One example is the integration of Deutsche Bahn (DB) as the first non-airline partner in August 2022. This collaboration enabled travelers to seamlessly combine rail and air travel in Germany. The successful implementation of this model served as a template for the current partnership with ÖBB.
future prospects
The collaboration between Star Alliance and ÖBB opens up new possibilities for the future of travel in Austria. The seamless integration of rail and air travel will not only increase passenger convenience but also enhance the attractiveness of public transport. It remains to be seen how this partnership will develop and what further innovations in the field of intermodal mobility will follow.
The partnership between Star Alliance and ÖBB represents a significant step forward in the integration of transport modes. Travelers in Austria benefit from increased flexibility and an improved travel experience. The continuous expansion of the AIRail offering and the inclusion of additional cities will further enhance the attractiveness of this intermodal solution. This cooperation could serve as a model for similar partnerships in other countries.
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