SkyTeam, the global airline alliance, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Trenitalia, Italy’s leading rail operator, to offer customers a wider range of destinations across the country. Announced at the World Aviation Festival in Amsterdam, the partnership will allow travelers to combine air and high-speed train journeys in a single booking, using Trenitalia’s Frecciarossa high-speed services.
With this new partnership, SkyTeam customers will be able to book journeys that seamlessly combine air and rail segments. For instance, passengers can fly from New York-JFK to Rome Fiumicino, collect their luggage, and continue their journey on a Frecciarossa high-speed train. According to SkyTeam, this collaboration will strengthen its intermodal travel strategy by providing more «high-quality, high-speed rail connections» and enhancing the overall travel experience.
«We are delighted to join forces with Trenitalia as our second non-airline partner, strengthening SkyTeam’s intermodal travel strategy by offering more high-quality, high-speed rail connections, supporting our mission to future-proof travel,» said SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux. He emphasized that Italy is a key market for both business and leisure travelers, and the partnership will provide more choice and flexibility.
Mario Alovisi, Trenitalia’s Marketing Director and CEO of Italia Loyalty, stated that partnering with SkyTeam «brings Trenitalia closer to its vision of becoming one of the leading players in the European rail transportation market.» Alovisi highlighted that this collaboration enhances Trenitalia’s offer of reliable high-quality rail travel, complementing international flight schedules and promoting more responsible travel.
Once the partnership is fully in place, SkyTeam frequent flyers will be able to earn and redeem miles on eligible Frecciarossa train routes. Similarly, members of Trenitalia’s CartaFRECCIA loyalty program will be able to accumulate and use points on selected SkyTeam flights. SkyPriority services will also be available at certain train stations, benefiting SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, as well as Trenitalia’s CartaFRECCIA Platinum and Gold members.
Currently, 14 SkyTeam member airlines serve Italy from regions across Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Greater China.
Trenitalia provides direct connections to and from 23 Italian airports, including SkyTeam’s hub at Rome Fiumicino. The Frecciarossa network reaches 150 destinations in Italy with over 270 daily services, and also operates in Spain and France. Italian cities connected by SkyTeam airlines with Frecciarossa services include Rome, Milan, Turin, Venice, Genoa, Bologna, Florence, Naples, Verona, and Bari.
