Continuing its commitment to enhanced global connectivity, Star Alliance, together with 25 member airlines, welcomed ÖBB as its newest intermodal partner. This partnership allows customers of ÖBB and Star Alliance member airlines to seamlessly begin or conclude their long-distance journey on ÖBB’s eco-friendly Railjet trains, connecting from or to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Peter Hanke, Federal Minister for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure said: "Cooperation between various providers is crucial if we want to overcome the current challenges in the area of mobility. The partnership between ÖBB, Austrian Airlines, and Star Alliance perfectly symbolises my understanding of a minister's role as a bridge-builder between the various mobility options. Infrastructure is the foundation for a functioning location, but also for domestic economy, tourism, and society." Delighted at the expansion, Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias stated: “Air and Rail have complemented each other as transport modes for several years around the world, and we are proud to welcome ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, to the Star Alliance family. With a single ticket, customers can now reach from Singapore to Salzburg, switching from a flight to Railjet at the Vienna airport. I am confident that not only will this partnership offer more choice, but it will also enhance the seamlessness in customer journeys.” Andreas Matthä, CEO of ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) said: “Traveling from the main train stations in Linz, Salzburg, Graz, or Innsbruck to destinations around the world will soon be even easier. We are very pleased to take a significant step in cooperation with Star Alliance to improve the integration of rail and air travel. This initiative allows us to offer our passengers an environmentally friendly way to travel to and from Vienna Airport - completely car-free - making the overall journey even more comfortable. This will make train journeys an even more flexibleand seamless part of air travel - not just with one airline group, but across a global network of 25 airlines.” The partnership is founded on ÖBB and Austrian Airlines’ long-standing cooperation to offer rail-to-air connectivity, known as AIRail, which was launched in 2014. It has allowed passengers to travel conveniently between major Austrian cities and Vienna Airport by train, with integrated ticketing and check-in services.<br/>
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Austrian rail operator ÖBB has joined the Star Alliance airline partnership as the group's second intermodal partner. The partnership will allow both ÖBB customers and passengers of Star Alliance member airlines, which include Austrian Airlines, to combine international flights with train travel across Austria. This currently includes rail connections between Vienna International Airport and train stations in Graz, Linz, Salzburg and Innsbruck via ÖBB’s high-speed Railjet service. At present, 16 Star Alliance member airlines operate at Vienna airport. The initiative is founded on the long-standing intermodal partnership between ÖBB and Austrian Airlines, which includes integrated ticketing and check-in services. As well as a single combined ticket, travellers will also be able to earn airline loyalty points from their train journey, according to the alliance.<br/>
Star Alliance has partnered with Austria’s railways ÖBB to enhance intermodal travel, allowing seamless air-rail connectivity to Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. This initiative builds on ÖBB’s existing AIRail service with Austrian Airlines, integrating ticketing, check-in, and frequent flyer benefits. Passengers can now book a single ticket for both flight and train journeys, check in conveniently, and earn miles for rail travel. This partnership aligns with Star Alliance’s broader intermodal strategy, launched in 2022 with Deutsche Bahn, to integrate airlines with rail, bus, and ferry networks worldwide.<br/>
Austria’s travel network has reached new levels of connectivity and sustainability as Star Alliance and Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) introduce direct AIRail services, seamlessly linking major cities like Graz, Linz, Salzburg, and Innsbruck to Vienna Airport. This strategic expansion enhances passenger convenience by integrating high-speed rail with international flights, offering a smooth, efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to domestic air travel. With integrated ticketing, streamlined check-in, and the ability to earn frequent flyer miles, this partnership transforms Vienna Airport into a premier intermodal hub, making travel across Austria faster, smarter, and more sustainable than ever before. Star Alliance and its 25 member airlines have taken a significant step in enhancing intermodal travel by welcoming Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) as its latest intermodal partner. This collaboration enables travelers to connect effortlessly between air and rail services, integrating Austria’s major railway routes with international flights at Vienna Airport.<br/>
Avianca’s newly renovated passenger lounge at Miami International Airport is now open, a sign Colombia’s largest airline expects to keep growing in South Florida. The 6,559 square foot space in Concourse J near gate J6 is a joint venture with TAP Portugal. It can accommodate 158 individuals seated. The lounge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It has work space, Wi-Fi and a quiet area. And yes, it has arepas (Colombian of course.) Avianca previously had a lounge in the space but it closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Renovations didn’t start until Oct. 2024. The new space opened to travelers this month. The lounge is modest compared to others at MIA. Lighting is minimum and there are no showers. A reclining room has chairs that don’t seem to recline. Yet for busy business travelers or families looking to catch their breath after bracing crowded TSA lines and taking their shoes off and on, the facilities meet basic needs. Since reopening, about an average of 500 guests have used the lounge daily. The added space comes as Colombia’s largest airline is growing at MIA. Starting May 10, Avianca will operate daily service between Miami International Airport and Guatemala City. The airline will also add regular service between MIA and San José, Costa Rica. Last year, it boosted the number of business class seats it offers on three daily flights from MIA to Bogotá. In 2024, the airline overall carried over 1.1m passengers on nearly 7,500 flights.<br/>
South African Airways pilots are initiating further industrial action over long-running pay and conditions negotiations, to the carrier’s dismay. The airline says it has been notified – by the SAA Pilots Association and the National Transport Movement – of a work-to-rule measure which will take effect on 19 March. Talks between the carrier and pilot representatives have been taking place since May last year, and lack of resolution led to a short strike in December. SAA is expressing “deep regret” over the renewed industrial action, as it believes its most recent “final offer” to pilots is “comprehensive and favourable”, particularly given the carrier’s financial position. “We have implemented strong contingency measures to minimise the impact of this industrial action,” says newly-appointed SAA group chief John Lamola. “Our priority is to resolve outstanding issues collaboratively while maintaining service continuity and minimising inconvenience to our valued customers – while upholding the highest safety and operational reliability standards.” SAA’s offer, submitted on 5 March, includes an annual 3% salary increase over three years and introduction of a salary progression model. It is prepared to introduce, from May this year, a proposal from pilots on duty hours, having simulated its effect and determined that it does not compromise crew scheduling or the route network.<br/>
When Tracy Ren decided to go to the 2024 Summer Olympics, she booked her flight to Paris on Singapore Airlines using miles. But she didn’t earn them — she bought them. Rather than purchasing miles directly from the airline, which sells 1,000 miles for around $40, Ren turned to Carousell, a popular online marketplace in Asia-Pacific that sells new and used goods — and, increasingly, loyalty points and rewards. By purchasing miles online, “the cost is nearly 50% compared with purchasing the ticket,” Ren said. Buying and selling airline miles online isn’t illegal, said Aaron Wong, founder of the travel and loyalty website The MileLion. Nor does it violate Carousell’s terms of service. The company, which forbids weapon and cryptocurrency sales, told CNBC Travel via a representative that: “The governance of sale of airline miles and points depends on the Terms and Conditions ... [of] the airline ... Carousell is not privy to and not in a position to enforce these third-party agreements.” This is where online sellers rule afoul of the rules, said Wong. Singapore Airline’s loyalty program terms state that “the sale or barter of KrisFlyer miles ... is prohibited.”<br/>
Direct flights between New Zealand and India have moved a step closer after Air New Zealand and Air India signed a codeshare agreement. The Star Alliance partners have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost air connectivity between the two countries. It will mean passengers will now be able to travel from the Indian cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai on Air India, and connect at Sydney, Melbourne or Singapore onto Air New Zealand-operated flights to Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown. The airlines also revealed they are aiming for direct flights in late 2028. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is currently in India hoping to sign a free trade deal there. Air New Zealand CE Greg Foran, who announced he is leaving the airline later in the year, called the signing of the MoU an “important first step”. “India represents a key growth market for Air New Zealand, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance connectivity for travellers between our two countries,” said Foran. “We are committed to working collaboratively to grow the travel market over the coming years, ensuring a strong foundation for a successful direct service by 2028.” Tourism New Zealand is hoping to tap into the vast Indian market, and its research shows a massive 18m people in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai are actively considering travelling to New Zealand. More than 80,000 international travellers arrived from India last year, 23% more than in 2019.<br/>