SkyTeam and Eurostar are launching a partnership, which will make the train operator SkyTeam’s first non-airline partner. While I like the concept behind this, I’m tempering my expectations when it comes to the execution, and actual consumer benefit.
Details of the SkyTeam & Eurostar partnership
SkyTeam and Eurostar have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), intended to pave the way for integrated intermodal journeys via air and rail for millions of customers. The expectation is that the partnership will launch in the first half of 2025, though details remain limited as of now.
With Eurostar being SkyTeam’s first non-airline partner, the idea is that customers will be able to travel on itineraries that combine long and medium haul flights with rail journeys in a single reservation, while enjoying SkyTeam benefits.
Eurostar’s network offers possibilities for multi-city journeys between the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Customers will be able to fly into SkyTeam’s main hubs, and then take advantage of multi-city travel. KLM and Eurostar already have a long-standing partnership, which has led to a strategic reduction of flights between Amsterdam and Brussels. The idea is to continue with that on a bigger scale.
It’s worth noting that SkyTeam isn’t the first alliance to introduce something like this. In 2022, Star Alliance added Deutsche Bahn as its first intermodal member.
Here’s how SkyTeam CEO Patric Roux describes this development:
“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.”
Meanwhile here’s what Eurostar CEO Gwendoline Cazenave had to say:
“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.”
Why I’m not getting too excited yet
In theory I’m a huge fan of airlines trying to make connections to other forms of transportation more seamless. After all, many airports are congested, and there are some markets where it’s just incredibly wasteful to fly planes, rather than linking up with other forms of transportation.
In recent years we’ve seen airlines announce all kinds of partnerships with train operators, to offer a more seamless journey for travelers, by selling air and rail tickets. It seems that the alliances getting in on that is just an extension of what individual airlines have already been doing for years.
We’ll see how SkyTeam’s execution of this is, but in general I’ve been quite underwhelmed by the ways in which these kinds of partnerships have been executed. For that matter, if an alliance is going to add a train operator as an intermodal partner, it sure would be cool if that were done with no strings attached, with opportunities to earn and redeem points, and take advantage of elite benefits, even when not traveling in conjunction with a flight.
I’m curious to see what this partnership is like when it’s launched in 2025, though I have a hard time imagining that it’ll be a game changer. Still, I appreciate the idea behind this, and hope we see more progress on this front. After all, something is better than nothing.
Bottom line
SkyTeam and Eurostar are expected to launch a partnership in 2025, which will make the train operator the airline alliance’s first intermodal partner. The idea is to more easily facilitate connections between air and rail. KLM has had a partnership with Eurostar for years, so this is an extension of that.
I’m curious to learn more details, though I’m definitely managing my expectations, and doubt we’ll see anything revolutionary.
What do you make of the SkyTeam and Eurostar partnership?
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