Air Canada announced today that it is expanding its codeshare agreement with Lufthansa to include Lufthansa Express Rail services at Frankfurt Airport (FRA). This agreement enables air and rail itineraries booked on a single reservation.
Air Canada Partners With Lufthansa Express Rail
Lufthansa Express Rail services are operated by Deutsche Bahn from Frankfurt Airport to 24 destinations across Germany. This offers passengers greater flexibility and more choice when connecting with Air Canada’s up to five-times daily flights to Frankfurt.
Passengers can book their combined air and rail journey directly via the Air France website or the mobile app. Passengers can also book these trips via a travel agent. This agreement complements Air Canada’s existing intermodal interlining partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail, as well as the Deutsche Bahn Rail&Fly product.
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer and President, Cargo at Air Canada, had this to say about the expanded partnership:
“Air Canada is very pleased to expand its rail offer in Germany with codeshare on Lufthansa Express Rail, operated by Deutsche Bahn, the Star Alliance’s first intermodal partner. Our intermodal connections provide customers with more travel options and make it easier for them to reach their final destinations. By elevating our partnership to a codeshare, we enhance the travel experience for our customers, enabling them to book through Air Canada for both air and rail travel.”
This announcement is the latest expansion from the Canadian flag carrier as it works to build out a robust intermodal network worldwide. Air Canada launched air and rail booking options for passengers at airports in eight countries in 2023.
Rail operators in eight countries have signed on to the intermodal program which includes France’s TGV-SNCF Voyageurs; Germany’s Deutsche Bahn; Swiss Federal Railways; ÖBB, the national railway of Austria; Italy’s Trenitalia; and more.
I’m a Big Fan of Intermodal Itineraries
When possible, I love utilizing air-and-rail itineraries when possible. The first time I experienced it was with Air France’s Air-and-Rail program which had a few quirks but was a nice experience overall.
I’ve had the opportunity to take many rail trips across Europe and I’m always impressed with how easy it is to travel by train. I think that Air Canada’s expansion of its partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail and Deutsche Bahn to a full blown codeshare agreement will be a big win for passengers.
Summary
Air Canada has strengthened its partnership with Lufthansa Express Rail, offering codeshare opportunities for passengers traveling to and from 24 cities across Germany. The Canadian flag carrier launched its intermodal program in 2023 and has expanded it rapidly over the last two years.