Star Alliance, along with its 25 member airlines, has welcomed Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) as its newest intermodal partner. This partnership allows ÖBB and Star Alliance passengers to begin or end their journeys with environmentally friendly ÖBB Railjet trains, connecting to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, or Innsbruck.
Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility, and Infrastructure, emphasized the importance of collaboration between different transport providers to overcome modern mobility challenges. “The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolizes my understanding of the role of a minister as a bridge builder between different modes of transport,” said Hanke.
Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance, expressed satisfaction with the expanded collaboration. “Air and rail transport have successfully complemented each other for years worldwide, and we are proud to welcome ÖBB to the Star Alliance family,” said Panagiotoulias.
Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB, highlighted the benefits of this partnership for passengers. “Traveling from major train stations in Linz, Salzburg, Graz, or Innsbruck to global destinations will soon be even easier,” said Matthä.
The partnership is based on the long-standing collaboration between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines under the AIRail service, launched in 2014. This service allows passengers to travel easily by train between major Austrian cities and Vienna Airport, with an integrated ticket sales and check-in system.
Star Alliance’s intermodal partnership model was introduced in August 2022 in collaboration with Germany’s Deutsche Bahn. This model connects the network of air carriers with rail, bus, ferry, and other transport systems, facilitating seamless transit through airports, train stations, and ports.
Passenger benefits include easier booking, check-in, more choices, and additional perks. With a combined ticket, passengers can collect points or miles for train travel within their favorite Star Alliance member loyalty program.
In March 2025, Austrian Airlines will celebrate 25 years of membership in Star Alliance. Currently, 16 Star Alliance members operate at Vienna Airport, offering more than 1,300 weekly flights to 135 destinations.
