Star Alliance, ÖBB team up for rail-air travel, giving passengers a new, seamless way to connect between Austria’s major cities and international destinations. With this partnership, travelers can now begin or end their long-distance journeys on ÖBB’s eco-friendly Railjet trains while enjoying integrated booking and check-in services through Star Alliance’s global network.
ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, officially joins Star Alliance as its latest intermodal partner. This move connects train stations in Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck directly with Vienna Airport, expanding accessibility to more travelers across Austria. With just one ticket, passengers can transfer between train and plane with ease, opening up destinations worldwide from regional hubs.
This cooperation builds on the existing relationship between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines, which began with the launch of the AIRail program in 2014. That initiative already allowed passengers to combine train travel with flights via Vienna Airport, simplifying logistics and offering an eco-conscious travel alternative. Now, that convenience is extended across Star Alliance’s network of 25 airlines.
Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, celebrated the expansion: “With a single ticket, customers can now reach from Singapore to Salzburg, switching from a flight to Railjet at the Vienna airport. I am confident that not only will this partnership offer more choice, but it will also enhance the seamlessness in customer journeys.”
The partnership offers several benefits to travelers. Customers can book both train and air legs of their journey in one reservation, receive seat assignments for both segments, and check in online or at ÖBB Travel Centers located in key Austrian cities. This streamlined approach eliminates the hassle of separate bookings and enhances connectivity, especially for travelers from regions not served by direct flights.
Additionally, passengers can earn loyalty points or miles for the train portion of their journey through the frequent flyer program of their preferred Star Alliance airline. The intermodal model also supports sustainability goals by encouraging the use of efficient, low-emission trains over cars or domestic flights, particularly for short-haul ground connections to international hubs.
This announcement also comes as Austrian Airlines celebrates its 25th year as a Star Alliance member. Currently, 16 Star Alliance airlines operate at Vienna Airport, offering over 1,300 weekly flights to 135 destinations worldwide. By including ÖBB in the mix, the alliance significantly extends its reach within Austria while promoting green mobility.
Austria’s Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure, Peter Hanke, emphasized the strategic value of such cooperation: “The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolises my understanding of a minister’s role as a bridge-builder between the various mobility options. Infrastructure is the foundation for a functioning location, but also for domestic economy, tourism, and society.”
The model for this integration was introduced in August 2022, when Star Alliance partnered with Deutsche Bahn in Germany. Known as the Intermodal Partnership model, it allows airlines to team up with railways, buses, ferries, or other transport providers, linking them into the wider airline network while preserving service quality and loyalty rewards. This approach supports smoother transitions at airports and train stations and meets growing demand for environmentally conscious travel solutions.
Looking ahead, Star Alliance plans to expand intermodal partnerships beyond Europe, connecting global transit systems with its aviation network. For travelers in Austria, however, the future is already here. Whether starting their journey in the Alps or ending it in Asia, passengers can now rely on a travel experience that combines flexibility, comfort, and sustainability in one easy ticket.
Picture Credit: ÖBB/Daniel Willinger
