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In train: Deutsche Bahn named Star Alliance’s first intermodal partner

German rail operator Deutsche Bahn will become Star Alliance’s first intermodal partner from 1 August in an industry-first concept for rail, bus, ferry and other transport systems to link loyalty systems, enable seamless transits and benefit the environment.

Under the new initiative, Deutsche Bahn (DB) customers and Star Alliance member airline passengers will be able to start or end their long-distance journey comfortably on the environmentally friendly train.

Star Alliance plans to expand its intermodal partnerships to link loyalty systems and facilitate seamless airport, station and port transit options.

The new DB and Star Alliance partnership builds on the Lufthansa Express Rail program where Lufthansa customers have been able to buy a combined ticket for trains and flights in one booking step for more than 20 years.

Star Alliance and Deutsche Bahns high speed ICE train
Star Alliance aircraft and DB’s high-speed ICE train.

Michael Peterson, Board Member for Long-Distance Passenger Transport, said under the new model, travellers will only need one ticket to travel “from Freiburg to Singapore”.

“With attractive inner-German connections and simultaneous links to international travel chains, Deutsche Bahn and Star Alliance will make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions in the transport sector.

“This is how we get more people off the plane and onto the environmentally friendly rail.”

Star Alliance CEO Jeffrey Goh said: “Our new model for intermodal partnerships promises seamless coexistence between different modes of transport throughout the alliance and we welcome Deutsche Bahn as our first intermodal partner.”

In addition to Lufthansa, in the future, all 25 other Star Alliance member airlines will be able to include DB’s ICE trains as flight numbers in their booking engine.

Airline customers will benefit from advantages such as receiving a combined ticket for the flight and train journeys including seat reservation in the one booking process and priority baggage handling and other services in the AiRail check-in area at the Frankfurt Airport.

Star Alliance recently celebrated its 25th anniversary of the world’s first global airline alliance.

To find out more, visit staralliance.com