Rail provider Deutsche Bahn will become a partner of the Star Alliance as of Aug. 1, the group announced this week.
The train operator is the first to join the airline alliance's new Intermodal Partnership initiative, which aims to link "loyalty systems and facilitate seamless airport, station [and] port transit," according to the alliance, which has plans to expand the program to other locations. The group also cited the initiative as "another strong signal for the environment-friendly evolution of the travel industry."
The new partnership is similar to Lufthansa's Express Rail program, which for more than 20 years has allowed the carrier's customers to buy combined tickets for trains and flights in one booking step. Under the new partnership, it will become available for the alliance's other 25 partner airlines.
In addition to booking a combined ticket, benefits include priority baggage handling and "other services" at the AiRail check-in area at the Frankfurt Airport, points or miles for the train journeys in preferred frequent flyer programs, and additional benefits for business and first-class flight customers of Star Alliance airlines, such as access to the Deutsche Bahn lounges, according to the group.