Forget connecting flights: If you're flying Delta, Air France, or other SkyTeam airlines over to Europe, you might connect onward to your final destination by train instead.
SkyTeam – the major airline alliance for carriers like Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, KLM, and others – has recently announced partnerships with two different European high-speed rail providers. That will eventually allow travelers to combine flight and train trips into a single reservation when traveling to (or within) Europe.
It started last month, when SkyTeam unveiled a new partnership with Eurostar: A major rail network throughout France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium as well as the Channel Tunnel (or “Chunnel”) connecting the U.K. with France. Just this week, the alliance announced Italian train provider Trenitalia was also joining the mix.
Once it goes live, passengers will be able to book transatlantic flights before continuing on to another European destination by rail, or vice versa – all on one ticket. For example, you could fly into Rome (FCO), then hop on a train to Milan, Venice, or Bologna rather than taking a connecting flight.
Travelers will eventually be able to redeem points and miles for these bookings, SkyTeam has said. Plus, if you've got SkyTeam elite status or status with a SkyTeam airline, you'll be able to enjoy your SkyTeam benefits on Eurostar and Trenitalia, too, including Sky Priority services where available.
These novel partnerships come as many countries throughout Europe are pushing for more sustainable travel across the continent – and to reduce intra-European flights as a result. Giving passengers the option to search and book connecting trips via train in one place is a clear means to that end.
KLM itself and Eurostar already have a similar arrangement, which has reduced the number of flights between Amsterdam (AMS) and Brussels (BRU), according to a news release. Air France also already sells some connections via rail throughout France and up to Belgium.
While short on specifics, SkyTeam said its partnership with Eurostar will launch sometime in the first half of 2025. It's unclear when booking with connections on Trenitalia is expected to go live.
Lead image courtesy of Eurostar
