Summary

  • United Airlines passengers flying between Germany and the US can now combine their train journey to Frankfurt Airport with their transatlantic flight using a single ticket, providing additional protection and convenience.
  • The partnership between Star Alliance carrier and Deutsche Bahn allows customers to seamlessly combine flights with rail travel and other transport options, offering convenient transitions between airports, train stations, and ports.
  • Passengers originating in Germany will enjoy a simplified travel experience with the ability to receive boarding passes for both train and flight journeys when checking in, as well as access to dedicated check-in facilities and Deutsche Bahn lounges. United’s MileagePlus members will also earn miles for rail travel.


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Beginning tomorrow (November 22nd), passengers flying United Airlines between Germany and the US have additional connection opinions. The Star Alliance carrier is partnering with Deutsche Bahn to allow United passengers traveling via Frankfurt Airport to combine their train journey with the transatlantic flight and any connecting flights in the US under one single ticket.


A seamless, single ticket

The announcement is the next step in the partnership between Star Alliance carriers and the German rail operator. The alliance announced last year that it was extending single ticket bookings to all its member airlines flying out of Frankfurt, and this week will mark the official entrance of US-based United Airlines. Home carrier Lufthansa has long had a similar arrangement with the railways.

The “Intermodal Partnership” model allows customers to combine flights with rail travel, buses, ferries, and other transport options across the entire alliance. This provides passengers additional protection in the case of missed connections, enables the accumulation of loyalty points across modes of transport, and creates convenient transitions between airports, train stations, and ports. Stefan Kreuzpaintner, Senior Vice President of Network, Alliances & Partnerships at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, noted how this new expansion increases transatlantic and domestic connectivity:

“Connecting amazing places on both sides of the Atlantic has never been so easy. Together with our partners, we have consistently expanded our intermodal services in recent years in many European countries.

“In Germany, Lufthansa offers a rail alternative to every domestic feeder flight to Frankfurt. This new partnership is another milestone in the successful Lufthansa Express Rail programme. It offers travellers to and from the USA a convenient, comfortable journey – a real premium product.”

United Airlines (UA | UAL) at Frankfurt Airport (EDDF|FRA) with a Boeing 777-222(ER) B772 (N217UA | 30550)

Photo: Kevin Hackert | Shutterstock

The carrier connects Frankfurt to several of its hubs in the United States, including New York/Newark, Chicago, Washington, Houston, Denver, and San Francisco.

Convenient, covered connections

The single ticket principle allows travelers originating in Germany a simplified experience with additional flexibility, including the ability to receive boarding passes for train journeys and flights when checking in. Upon arrival at Frankfurt Airport, the passengers can use a dedicated AiRail check-in facility near the platforms to save time and reduce the distance they need to travel with luggage. First and business class passengers are also eligible to access Deutsche Bahn lounges throughout their journeys.

Find out more about Which Airlines have Intermodal PartnershipsFrequent flyers will also get a boost under the new arrangement. The airline confirmed today that United’s MileagePlus frequent flyer program members will earn miles for rail travel on a combined rail and flight ticket. All passengers will receive special protection in case of delays or cancellations, as the connections are covered on the single ticket. Renato Ramos, Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Star Alliance, expressed their excitement that United Airlines is coming onboard with the initiative:

“We are thrilled to see our innovative Intermodal Partnership Model extend to a significant member of Star Alliance – United Airlines.

“Initiatives like these foster greater collaboration among modes of transport, providing enhanced convenience and flexibility for customers. This marks another step towards a seamlessly integrated travel ecosystem, aligning with our collective vision for the Alliance.

United Airlines B787-10

Photo: United Airlines

The increased connectivity between air and rail operators has met with positive customer feedback. France, which introduced a domestic flight ban, has done quite well with its Air-Rail connection services. The single ticket is also bound to simplify travel, especially for US-based travelers who previously had to purchase tickets for onward travel individually and self-transfer upon arrival.

Where does it cover?

The arrangement will include 25 cities across Germany and Basel in Switzerland. Beginning tomorrow, services will be available to the following stations:

  • ZWS Stuttgart HBF
  • QUL Ulm
  • ZMU Munich HBF
  • KJR Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden
  • QFB Freiburg
  • QWU Würzburg
  • ZAQ Nuremberg
  • QDU Düsseldorf HBF
  • QKL Cologne/Bonn, Cologne HBF
  • XHJ Aachen HBF
  • DTZ Dortmund HBF
  • MKF Munster
  • ZPE Osnabrück
  • DHC Bremen
  • KWQ Kassel Wilhelmshöhe
  • ZEU Göttingen
  • QPP Berlin HBF
  • ZVR Hannover HBF
  • ZMB Hamburg HBF
  • XIU Erfurt
  • XIT Leipzig HBF
  • XIR Dresden
  • MHJ Mannheim
  • ZPY Siegburg/Bonn
  • AGY Augsburg
  • ZBA Basel

Deutsche Bahn ICE

Photo: Jake Hardiman | Simple Flying

A final station is set to come online next month when Wolfsburg (ZQU) joins the program.

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