Eurostar joins SkyTeam to revolutionise seamless air and rail travel for business travellers
Eurostar and SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will revolutionise the way millions of customers experience integrated intermodal journeys via air and rail.
With Eurostar becoming SkyTeam’s first non-airline partner, business travellers can now book itineraries that combine long- and medium-haul flights with sustainable rail journeys in a single reservation, all while enjoying the benefits associated with the SkyTeam alliance.
This new partnership expands Eurostar’s network, opening up exciting opportunities for multi-city travel between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Travellers can fly into SkyTeam’s primary hubs in France, the Netherlands and the UK, as well as other major European airports, before seamlessly transitioning to Eurostar services.
Currently, approximately 13% of Eurostar passengers are long-haul air travellers who arrive at key SkyTeam hubs such as Amsterdam Schiphol, Paris Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow before connecting to Eurostar destinations.
Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar, stated,
Offering travellers the choice to see Europe in the most sustainable and convenient way by rail is a key component of Eurostar’s vision for growth. We are creating a future where travellers can connect between Eurostar trains, domestic railways, and long-haul flying, opening up our services to new markets across the globe. Today is a major step forward towards this mission and we look forward to working with SkyTeam to develop the customer proposition so more travellers can experience Eurostar’s unique service.
Patrick Roux, CEO of SkyTeam, echoed this sentiment, saying,
Working with Eurostar as our first non-airline partner underscores SkyTeam’s commitment to delivering a more integrated and responsible travel experience by incorporating intermodal travel. One of the world’s most-loved train operators, with a 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.
In the coming months, both companies will collaborate to create a more integrated experience for air-to-rail travel, ensuring that customers can fully enjoy the advantages of both transport modes. This exciting partnership is expected to launch in the first half of 2025.
In line with their sustainability efforts, Eurostar and KLM are also progressing with their air-rail product for customers travelling between Amsterdam and Brussels, which has already led to a reduction in flights between the two cities.
Paul Baker, Sales Director of Global Travel Management, highlighted the benefits for UK-based business travellers:
This partnership represents a significant advancement in sustainable travel options. It provides UK business travellers with the flexibility and convenience they need to navigate Europe efficiently while reducing their carbon footprint.
For more information about how this partnership may benefit your travel plans, please contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager.
