Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is making travel even more convenient with the expansion of its innovative Air Rail network. This partnership, which began in 2019 with the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), has seen continued growth and has been extended indefinitely due to its success. Now, travelers can enjoy seamless connections to exciting new destinations in the scenic Canton Graubünden, including Chur, Davos, Klosters, and St. Moritz.
The expanded network builds upon the original initiative, which linked Zurich and Basel airports to a growing list of destinations. Today, the Air Rail network encompasses over 20 destinations, and with the addition of the new destinations in Canton Graubünden, the network now includes 21 destinations. These destinations join major Swiss cities like Basel, Bern, Geneva, and Lausanne, as well as international destinations such as Munich in Germany and Bregenz in Austria.
This partnership is a testament to the commitment of both SWISS and SBB to providing innovative and efficient travel solutions. The collaboration has been well-received by travelers, with demand projected to increase by around 15% this year.
“SBB and SWISS are both bywords for Swiss values, quality and reliability,” says Heike Birlenbach, Chief Commercial Officer at SWISS. “This partnership enables us to offer our customers an overall travel experience that seamlessly combines the strengths of air and rail travel and, in doing so, sets new benchmarks in comfort and convenience terms.”
The integration of SBB’s services with SWISS’s extensive route network provides international travelers with easier access to Chur and, via the Rhaetian Railway, to Davos, Klosters, and St. Moritz. These new routes are scheduled to be available for booking for journeys beginning on or after October 2, 2024.
“I’m especially pleased that our now-extended collaboration with SBB will enable us to offer even more convenient connections within Switzerland that optimally meet our air travellers’ needs,” continues CCO Birlenbach.
“The open-ended continuation of our collaboration and the addition of these new connections to Chur, Davos, Klosters and St. Moritz tellingly demonstrate how SBB and SWISS are jointly developing a broad range of viable travel solutions,” adds Véronique Stephan, Member of the SBB Management Board and Head of Passenger Services Markets. “And the benefits for all our customers are seamless connections and an expanded network of travel services that bring the world and Switzerland even closer together. We’re teaming up to bring people on board!”
SWISS’s commitment to providing flexible and convenient travel options is evident in the features of the Air Rail service. Travelers can book their combined air and rail journeys directly through www.swiss.com or any travel agency, choosing from various rail stations as their starting or ending point. The integration allows passengers to manage both air and rail bookings in a single step, with the convenience of only needing to check in once and receiving all boarding passes from SWISS. For added flexibility, SWISS Air Rail travelers can use their rail tickets either the day before their flight or the day after arrival, giving them more freedom in their travel plans. Additionally, SWISS provides a connection guarantee for any delays on SWISS Air Rail routes. Miles & More members can earn miles and points on their rail tickets based on their connecting flight and class of service. First and Business Class passengers also enjoy first-class rail travel on all SWISS Air Rail connections.
The expansion of the SWISS Air Rail network represents a significant advancement in travel convenience and flexibility. By combining the strengths of air and rail travel, SWISS is dedicated to providing travelers with an unparalleled travel experience. This partnership is a prime example of how innovation and collaboration can lead to a more convenient and enjoyable travel experience for everyone.
