SkyTeam Alliance has announced a partnership with Eurostar, a railway company to create seamless, integrated air and rail travel experiences, benefiting millions of customers.
In a press statement, the duo noted that with Eurostar on board as Sky Team’s first non-airline partner, customers will be able to travel on itineraries that combine long and medium-haul flights with sustainable rail journeys in a single reservation.
All this is while enjoying SkyTeam benefits.
The two companies plan to work together in the coming months to create a more integrated experience for air-to-rail travel, ensuring customers can enjoy the benefits of both transport modes.
The partnership is expected to launch in the first half of 2025.
Eurostar’s increased network offers many possibilities to enjoy multi-city journeys between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany that can easily be accommodated by rail.
“Customers will be able to fly into SkyTeam’s main hubs in France, the Netherlands and the UK and other major European airports across Eurostar’s network and enjoy multi-city travel in a more sustainable way,” the statement read in part.
“Currently around 13% of Eurostar passengers flying long-haul into one of SkyTeam’s main European hubs connect to another Eurostar destination by rail.”
Speaking on the partnership, Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave said offering travellers the choice to see Europe most sustainably and conveniently by rail is a key component of Eurostar’s vision for growth.
“We are creating a future where travellers can connect between Eurostar trains, domestic railways and long-haul flying, opening up our services to new markets across the globe,” she said.
“Today is a major step forward towards this mission and we look forward to working with Sky Team to develop the customer proposition so more travellers can experience Eurostar’s unique service.”
On his part, SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux said working with Eurostar as the alliance’s first non-airline partner underscores SkyTeam’s commitment to delivering a more integrated and responsible travel experience by incorporating intermodal travel.
“One of the world’s most loved train operators, with a reputation for customer service, Eurostar isa natural fit for SkyTeam,” he said.
“I look forward to developing our partnership and offering customers greater choice in how they travel across SkyTeam’s global network.”
Eurostar and SkyTeam member, KLM, already have a long-standing relationship.
The companies are expected to continue to develop their air-rail product for customers, which has already led to a strategic reduction in flights between Amsterdam and Brussels.
Other SkyTeam members include Aeroflot (suspended), Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeromexico, Air Europa, Air France, China Airlines, China Eastern, Czech Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
Others are Garuda Indonesia, ITA Airways, Kenya Airways (KQ), KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, SAS, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and XiamenAir.
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