SkyTeam Partners with Eurostar to Launch Seamless Air+Rail Travel Across Europe – Business Traveler USA

In a bold response to Star Alliance’s recent partnership with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Eurostar and SkyTeam have announced a groundbreaking collaboration that will reshape the alliance’s travel portfolio by integrating air and rail journeys into a single reservation.

As SkyTeam’s first non-airline partner, Eurostar paves the way for travelers to combine long-haul flights with sustainable rail travel, offering a seamless, eco-friendly experience across Europe.

A Major Step Toward Intermodal Travel

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two companies will enable passengers to combine long- and medium-haul flights with eco-friendly rail travel in a single booking.

This partnership, expected to roll out in 2025, is designed to offer more flexibility and convenience to travelers who want to explore multiple European cities without the environmental impact of additional flights.

“Offering travelers the choice to see Europe in the most sustainable and convenient way by rail is a key component of Eurostar’s vision for growth,” said Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar. “We are creating a future where travelers can connect between Eurostar trains, domestic railways, and long-haul flying, opening up our services to new global markets.”

This initiative is part of SkyTeam’s ongoing commitment to providing integrated travel solutions that are both responsible and customer-focused.

Patrick Roux, CEO of SkyTeam, praised Eurostar as “One of the world’s most-loved train operators” and commended them for their reputation for customer service.

“Eurostar is a natural fit for SkyTeam. I look forward to developing our partnership and offering customers greater choice in how they travel across SkyTeam’s global network,” Roux said.

Expanding Eurostar’s Reach

Eurostar’s rail network already serves major cities across the U.K., France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, making it a natural choice for multi-city journeys within Europe.

With Eurostar on board, SkyTeam passengers can connect through major hubs like Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG), Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS), and London, enjoying seamless transfers from planes to trains.

Photo: Courtesy of Amsterdam-Schiphol. Airport

Currently, the alliance says around 13 percent of Eurostar passengers flying long-haul into one of SkyTeam’s European hubs transfer to another destination via rail. The new partnership aims to boost that number by offering a streamlined booking process and expanding the appeal of sustainable travel options.

The integration will also enhance existing collaborations between Eurostar and SkyTeam member KLM, which have already led to a strategic reduction in short-haul flights between Amsterdam and Brussels, replacing them with rail connections.

Sustainable Vision

As part of its ambition to become the backbone of sustainable travel in Europe, Eurostar says it hopes to increase its annual passenger numbers from 19 million to 30 million. This partnership with SkyTeam is a key element in Eurostar’s strategy to achieve this goal.

Photo: Courtesy of SkyTeam

Eurostar’s rail journeys, according to the rail company, are reducing carbon emissions by an average of 90 percent compared to car travel and 95 percent compared to air travel. With the airline industry under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint, this new collaboration offers a model for the future of travel.

“By choosing the train, CO2 emissions are significantly reduced, allowing us to offer a greener travel experience while maintaining high levels of comfort and convenience,” explained Cazenave.

Last year, the European Commission approved France’s plans to ban short-haul flights between Paris Orly Airport and Nantes, Lyon, or Bordeaux as part of a broader climate bill to reduce carbon emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2030. French lawmakers voted to ban short domestic flights as part of this initiative.

Since then, Air France/KLM refurbished their Air+Rail Terminal at Brussels-Midi/Zuid train station and expanded its service by adding eight more rail routes, available to Air France passengers traveling in and out of Paris for over 30 years.

Photo: Delta Air Lines, Airbus A330-300 at Amsterdam Schiphol. Courtesy of Aron Marinelli / Unsplash

Foreign carriers like Delta Air Lines have also boosted their international Air+Rail connectivity by offering passengers connecting itineraries to European cities favored by rail service.

SkyTeam’s Competitive Response

The collaboration between Eurostar and SkyTeam comes in the wake of Star Alliance’s 2022 partnership with Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national railway, which marked the first intermodal partnership for an airline alliance.

Eurostar’s inclusion in SkyTeam sheds some light on the growing importance of intermodal travel as the industry seeks to provide more sustainable travel options.

Photo: High speed rail in France. Courtesy of Voyageur8 / Shutterstock

While Deutsche Bahn offers extensive rail connections throughout Germany and beyond, Eurostar claims to bring a different set of strengths to the table, including high-speed links between major cities in Western Europe, such as London, Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. Introducing flexible travel classes and expanding Eurostar’s network to new markets like Germany only enhance its appeal.

Looking Ahead: Integration and Flexibility

The Eurostar-SkyTeam partnership is expected to officially launch in 2025, with both companies working in the coming months to develop an integrated experience that allows for easy transitions between air and rail travel. As part of the initiative, travelers will enjoy SkyTeam benefits on both modes of transport, including seamless check-ins and transfers.

Photo: Amsterdam Schiphol. Courtesy of Ramon Kagie / Unsplash

Eurostar’s fleet of 51 trains serves 28 destinations, and its network includes a wide range of European cities, from Cologne to Marseilles. The rail operator has announced plans to purchase up to 50 new trainsets by 2024, increasing its capacity and reach.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in the future of travel, offering passengers a more sustainable and efficient way to explore Europe while reducing their carbon footprint.

With a combined focus on convenience, comfort, and environmental responsibility, the Eurostar-SkyTeam collaboration is poised to set a new standard for intermodal journeys.