Air Canada has just unveiled a groundbreaking initiative called Air-to-Rail Connections that promises to transform European travel. With the air-to-rail booking options, customers will be able to connect to four major passenger rail systems at European airports, making it convenient to explore the continent.
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President of revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada, had this to say during a press conference:
As a leading global airline, Air Canada excels at flying, but we also know intermodal connections can enrich the travel experience through added convenience and by promoting sustainability. By facilitating the use of rail for the short-haul segments of our customers’ journeys, we can provide sustainable travel options when touring Europe.
Air-to-Rail Connections – Partnering with Lufthansa, AccesRail, & WorldTicket
Air Canada is partnering with Lufthansa Express Rail Product, AccesRail, and WorldTicket to make this work. Through new railway and distribution partnerships, Air Canada customers, when purchasing flights, can now also easily book onward rail trips to a multitude of destinations throughout France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, creating a seamless travel itinerary.
Passengers can check in for all segments of their trip prior to departure, eliminating the need to obtain a train ticket at the station. This added convenience ensures a smooth transition between air and rail travel. In case of any flight disruption, both air and rail segments will be rebooked, providing travellers with peace of mind.
Wing-to-Rail Connections
- Austria
ÖBB services are now available from Vienna Airport to up to nine railway stations across Austria, including Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck.
- France
Through codeshare on SNCF Voyageurs, Air Canada customers can purchase a single ticket connecting them at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris to up to 22 SNCF Voyageurs high-speed rail destinations across France, including Nantes, Bordeaux, Marseille, and Strasbourg.
- Germany
Building on existing intermodal rail connections with Lufthansa Express Rail, Air Canada now offers expanded options to reach more than 5,600 railway stations across Germany using Deutsche Bahn’s Rail and Fly products from Frankfurt and Munich.
- Switzerland
Travelers flying to Zurich or Geneva can connect at the airport to Swiss Federal Railways trains, reaching up to 11 stations throughout Switzerland, including popular destinations like Basel and Lucerne.
For detailed information on the booking process, available routings, and destinations, customers can visit www.aircanada.com.
Added Convenience Has Always Been Part of Air Canada’s Broader Strategy
This initiative aligns with Air Canada’s broader strategy, which has doubled its partnership portfolio over the past decade. With three joint business agreements, 39 codeshares, 120 interlines, and now four intermodal rail options, the Canadian carrier provides an extensive array of travel choices for customers across more than 1200 destinations.
The air-to-rail connections is just one of the initiatives the airline is unveiling in the coming year. The airline also recently unveiled its expanded international summer 2024 flying schedule. It also plans to operate 100% of its peak summer 2019 trans-Atlantic capacity next year, with 53 routes to 31 cities in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and India.
This will position Air Canada as the leading Canadian carrier across the Atlantic in the summer of 2024, solidifying its commitment to further developing trans-Atlantic connectivity through its Toronto and Montreal hubs.
What do you think of Air Canada’s Air-to-Rail Connections? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.
