Austrian Airlines has launched a new trial of baggage drop-off directly on trains from Linz and Salzburg to Vienna Airport. The airline has partnered with Austrian railway company ÖBB to introduce the new AIRail baggage drop programme.
AIRail passengers can check in their baggage during the train journey for their entire trip during the test phase from 23 August to 31 October 2021. On the train, luggage will be tagged and further transport to the final destination will be arranged. After arriving at Vienna Airport, AIRail guests can go directly to their gate and board. Passengers can then collect their checked-in luggage at the destination airport as usual.
Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO, Austrian Airlines, commented: “Closer dovetailing with the railways is an important part of our strategy. With the AIRail baggage check-in on the train, we eliminate a major disadvantage of a feeder train journey compared to a feeder flight. We want to bring more AIRail passengers to our Vienna hub comfortably by train and then out into the world by plane.”
Andreas Matthä, CEO, ÖBB, added: “With AIRail we offer our customers a continuous mobility chain during their trip. Our guests can now get comfortably and quickly on ÖBB trains from Salzburg or Linz city centre directly to Vienna Airport. Checking in luggage on selected trains will make the journey even easier in the future and convince even more people to choose the train.”
In addition, Austrian Airlines customers can enjoy a range of advantages when booking an AIRail connection, including a food & beverages voucher, which can be redeemed in the Railjet train restaurant, as well as a guaranteed connection, regardless of whether they continue their journey by plane or train. Business Class passengers can travel in First Class on the train and have free access to the ÖBB Lounge before departure. As part of the Miles & More programme, miles can also be collected with AIRail.
The baggage drop-off service in the Railjet is initially available on a test basis until 31 October 2021 for the AIRail routes from Salzburg Hauptbahnhof and Linz Hauptbahnhof to Vienna Airport with two connections each.
