It seems that SkyTeam is building further Air-Rail links in Europe, with the airline adding Trenitalia as part of the network
Both SkyTeam and Trenitalia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to offer customers a wider choice of destinations across Italy.
The partnership will enable passengers to explore Italy using high-speed Frecciarossa train services – Trenitalia’s high-speed network in Italy – facilitating intermodal travel across the country by combining air and rail itineraries in a single reservation.
With Trenitalia as part of SkyTeam’s global network, customers will be able to book a journey that connects air and rail segments. As a given example by SkyTeam, passengers can fly from New York-JFK to Rome Fiumicino, collect their bags, and continue their journey by the Frecciarossa train.
Loyalty matters
Once the partnership with Trenitalia is in place, SkyTeam frequent flyers will be able to earn and spend miles when travelling on eligible Frecciarossa rail itineraries and members of CartaFRECCIA, the loyalty program of Trenitalia’s high-speed train network, will earn and burn points when flying on eligible SkyTeam flights.
In addition, SkyPriority services will be offered at railway stations where possible, benefiting SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members and Trenitalia’s CartaFRECCIA Platinum and Gold members.
In Quotes
Patrick Roux CEO of SkyTeam said:
“We are delighted to join forces with Trenitalia as our second non-airline partner, strengthening SkyTeam’s intermodal travel strategy by offering more high-quality, high-speed rail connections – supporting our mission to future-proof travel. Italy is an important global market for business and leisure travelers and with Trenitalia customers will have more choice and flexibility to go where they want to, how they want to, while enjoying the many benefits for which SkyTeam is known.”
Mario Alovisi, Trenitalia Marketing Director and CEO of Italia Loyalty
“Partnering with SkyTeam takes Trenitalia closer to our vision of being one of the leading players in the European rail transportation market, offering customers high-quality, reliable train travel that complements international flight schedules. We’re excited to be on a journey together with SkyTeam in a shared mission to make travel more responsible and look forward to welcoming SkyTeam customers to our extensive network across Italy.”
Accessibility
Currently, 14 SkyTeam member airlines serve Italy from markets across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Greater China. making it a prime market, as well as opening up destinations across the Italian mainland with a single ticket.
Addressing the “next-miles” connectivity issue
As someone who doesn’t choose to drive when abroad for various reasons, this fills a big gap in travel between an airport and a centre you’re travelling to (be it the city near the airport – or a city in a different region to the airport.
With ITA Airways on the way out of SkyTeam (when it is consumed by Lufthansa), this move provides the alliance regional connectivity, without the need to turn to another airline – and at the same time, claiming the environmental benefits of train travel for short-haul travel.
The trick will be how they process the integrated ticketing and connection guarantees – that will be something to keep an eye on.
It’s also a move that other alliances should look at in some respects to reduce domestic and very short-haul flying over contiguous land masses where high-speed transit exists.
Not taking that easy win, would be folly.
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