Star Alliance Strengthens Air-Rail Connections with ÖBB

Star Alliance, along with its 25 member airlines, has welcomed ÖBB as its latest intermodal partner. This new collaboration allows travelers using ÖBB and Star Alliance airlines to easily begin or end their long-distance journeys aboard ÖBB’s sustainable Railjet trains that connect to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.

Peter Hanke, Austrian Federal Minister, stated:

“Cooperation between various providers is crucial if we want to overcome the current challenges in the area of mobility. The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance embodies my view of a minister’s role as a bridge-builder among different mobility options.”
(Translation: This partnership represents the importance of cooperative efforts in mobility solutions.)

Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, expressed enthusiasm saying:

“Air and Rail have complemented each other as transport modes globally, and we are proud to welcome ÖBB to the Star Alliance family. With one ticket, customers can travel from Singapore to Salzburg, transferring from flight to Railjet at Vienna airport.”
(Translation: This initiative broadens customer choices and streamlines their travel experience.)

Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, highlighted:

“Travel from major train stations to global destinations will be made even easier. We are thrilled to collaborate with Star Alliance to enhance integration between rail and air travel.”
(Translation: This collaboration enhances customer convenience and environmental sustainability.)

The partnership builds upon the long-standing cooperation between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines, which began in 2014 with the AIRail service facilitating travel between major Austrian cities and Vienna Airport with integrated ticketing.

Important benefits for travelers include:

• Increased booking convenience: A combined ticket for flights and trains with seat reservation.
• Unified check-in: Ability for passengers to check in for both flights and rail journeys at ÖBB Travel Centers.
• More options: Enhanced choice regarding travel times and prices.
• Frequent flyer points: Passengers can earn mileage points on their train journeys within a Star Alliance member airline’s frequent flyer program.

April 2025 marks 25 years of Austrian Airlines being part of Star Alliance, with 16 member airlines currently operating at Vienna airport offering over 1,300 weekly flights to 135 destinations.