Deutsche Bahn (DB) announced (04-Jul-2022) it will join Star Alliance as the alliance's first non-airline partner, effective 01-Aug-2022. The Star Alliance intermodal partnership model will connect air, rail and other modes of transport, with Germany as the first market. The cooperation will build on the Lufthansa Express Rail programme to enable all Star Alliance member airlines to include DB's ICE trains with flight numbers in their booking system. Programme benefits will include:
- Travellers will receive boarding passes for both the flight and train at check in, as tickets are combined in the one booking process;
- Increased choice with regards to preferred travel time, travel duration and prices;
- Accelerated baggage handling and other services in the AiRail check in area at Frankfurt Airport;
- Passengers will accrue loyalty programme points for train journeys for all bookings of combined train-air travel via Lufthansa Express Rail or with alliance airlines;
- Business and first class customers of the alliance's airlines receive additional benefits such as access to the DB lounges with a Lufthansa Express Rail ticket.
DB board member for long distance passenger transport Michael Peterson said: "This is how we get more people off the plane and onto the environmentally friendly rail. In close cooperation with the airlines, we are now tackling the mobility turnaround". Mr Petersen added the partnership will complement DB's cooperation with Lufthansa Express Rail, where bookings have more than doubled since 2010. [more - original PR] [more - original PR - German]