Star Alliance has announced a new partnership with ÖBB to enhance intermodal travel, allowing passengers to seamlessly combine air and rail journeys across Austria. This collaboration brings greater convenience and eco-friendly travel options to passengers connecting between major Austrian cities and global destinations.
As part of this groundbreaking partnership, passengers traveling to or from Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck can now easily transition between flights and ÖBB’s Railjet trains, connecting directly to Vienna Airport. This service provides an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional car-based transport, aligning with Star Alliance’s commitment to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint.
The collaboration builds on the existing cooperation between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines, which launched the AIRail service in 2014. This service has long enabled passengers to travel between major Austrian cities and Vienna Airport by train, with integrated check-in and ticketing services. Now, with Star Alliance’s inclusion, the new partnership expands the reach and convenience of the service, making it possible for travelers to seamlessly combine rail and air travel with a single ticket.
Theo Panagiotoulias, Chief Executive Officer of Star Alliance, highlighted the significant benefits this new intermodal partnership offers. He remarked, “Air and rail have complemented each other as transport modes for several 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, switching from a flight to Railjet at Vienna airport. This partnership will not only offer more choice, but it will also enhance the seamlessness of customer journeys.”
Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, also shared his excitement for the project. He said, “Traveling from the main train stations in Linz, Salzburg, Graz, or Innsbruck to destinations around the world will soon be even easier. This initiative provides our passengers with an environmentally friendly and car-free way to reach Vienna Airport, making the overall journey even more comfortable. The integration of rail travel into a global airline network ensures a seamless experience for passengers from the moment they leave their homes to when they arrive at their final destinations.”
In addition to improved convenience, the partnership offers various customer benefits. Passengers can book their flight and train tickets together in a single booking process, receiving a combined ticket that includes seat reservations. Customers can also check in online or at ÖBB Travel Centers, and receive boarding passes for both their train and flight. With more flexible choices for timings, duration, and pricing, travelers can enjoy a smoother journey with added value, including the ability to earn loyalty miles for train journeys in their preferred frequent flyer programs.
A key feature of this collaboration is its commitment to sustainability. Railjet’s environmentally friendly travel options align with Star Alliance’s focus on reducing its carbon footprint while enhancing the travel experience.
As part of the expanded partnership, Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of such cooperative ventures in overcoming current mobility challenges. He stated, “The cooperation between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolizes my vision of connecting various modes of transport to create a more efficient and sustainable mobility ecosystem.”
This move also coincides with Austrian Airlines’ 25th anniversary of being a Star Alliance member, further solidifying the airline’s longstanding role within the network. Currently, 16 Star Alliance member airlines operate out of Vienna Airport, offering more than 1,300 weekly flights to 135 destinations worldwide.
