Why airlines want you to go by train

Francesca Street, CNN
7 minute read
Updated 7:46 AM EST, Tue December 3, 2019
<strong>From air to rail:</strong> Dutch airline KLM has announced plans to replace one of its daily flights between Brussels and Amsterdam with a high-speed train.
From air to rail: Dutch airline KLM has announced plans to replace one of its daily flights between Brussels and Amsterdam with a high-speed train.
Courtesy KLM
<strong>Train-led: </strong>KLM is partnering with high speed train company Thalys and NS Dutch Railways. From March 2020 one out of five of KLM's Amsterdam-Brussels services will be by rail.
Train-led: KLM is partnering with high speed train company Thalys and NS Dutch Railways. From March 2020 one out of five of KLM's Amsterdam-Brussels services will be by rail.
PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Business and sustainability</strong>: KLM says the decision encourages travelers to consider their carbon footprint -- and frees up slots for long-haul flights at Amsterdam Schipol airport.
Business and sustainability: KLM says the decision encourages travelers to consider their carbon footprint -- and frees up slots for long-haul flights at Amsterdam Schipol airport.
Courtesy KLM
<strong>Quality match: </strong>The Dutch airline tells CNN Travel it's currently working on ensuring its train service matches the quality of in-air service. "If we can really build a product that is comparable to our current products, we will consider replacing more short haul flights in the future," says KLM spokesperson Manel Vrijenhoek.
Quality match: The Dutch airline tells CNN Travel it's currently working on ensuring its train service matches the quality of in-air service. "If we can really build a product that is comparable to our current products, we will consider replacing more short haul flights in the future," says KLM spokesperson Manel Vrijenhoek.
PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Air-rail alliance: </strong>KLM isn't the only airline collaborating with the railways. Austrian airline runs AIRail, a partnership with ÖBB.
Air-rail alliance: KLM isn't the only airline collaborating with the railways. Austrian airline runs AIRail, a partnership with ÖBB.
Courtesy OBB/Christian Auerweck
<strong>Daily connections:</strong> "Currently we are offering up to 32 daily train connections between Vienna and Linz, as well as three daily train connections between Vienna and Salzburg," Leonhard Steinmann, a spokesperson for Austrian Airlines tells CNN Travel.
Daily connections: "Currently we are offering up to 32 daily train connections between Vienna and Linz, as well as three daily train connections between Vienna and Salzburg," Leonhard Steinmann, a spokesperson for Austrian Airlines tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy OBB/Harald Eisenberger
<strong>Window watching</strong>: Train advocates don't only praise the lower carbon footprint afforded by rail: "The train journey is a chance to get some work done, relax and see some scenery," says train expert Mark Smith, AKA The Man in Seat 61.
Window watching: Train advocates don't only praise the lower carbon footprint afforded by rail: "The train journey is a chance to get some work done, relax and see some scenery," says train expert Mark Smith, AKA The Man in Seat 61.
Courtesy OBB/Philipp Horak
<strong>On board experience:</strong> It's easier to get up and about on a train, and there's generally more food options for economy passengers.
On board experience: It's easier to get up and about on a train, and there's generally more food options for economy passengers.
Courtesy Thalys
<strong>Other alliances</strong>: German airline Lufthansa has a codeshare partnership with Deutsche Bahn (German Rail), pictured.
Other alliances: German airline Lufthansa has a codeshare partnership with Deutsche Bahn (German Rail), pictured.
CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Eco-conscious</strong>: As travelers become more conscious of their carbon footprint, there's been a shift away from short-haul flights toward high-speed rail, where it's available.
Eco-conscious: As travelers become more conscious of their carbon footprint, there's been a shift away from short-haul flights toward high-speed rail, where it's available.
JULIAN STRATENSCHULTE/DPA/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Gear shift</strong>: Austrian also says it's hoping to shift short-haul flights to railways. "Wherever it makes sense, we are definitely interested in further shifting short-haul flights to rail," says Steinmann.
Gear shift: Austrian also says it's hoping to shift short-haul flights to railways. "Wherever it makes sense, we are definitely interested in further shifting short-haul flights to rail," says Steinmann.
Courtesy OBB/Philipp Horak
<strong>French connection: </strong>In France, AirFrance has what it calls a "commercial relationship" with SNCF. On TGV's Paris to Brussels route, a block of seats are administered as an Air France cabin.
French connection: In France, AirFrance has what it calls a "commercial relationship" with SNCF. On TGV's Paris to Brussels route, a block of seats are administered as an Air France cabin.
PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Public reaction</strong>: KLM says the decision to make the move into the rail market was well-received by passengers and the general public.
Public reaction: KLM says the decision to make the move into the rail market was well-received by passengers and the general public.
Courtesy Thalys
<strong>Teamwork: </strong>KLM also says it hopes other airlines will adopt this strategy. "Together we can make a bigger impact sooner in reducing the footprint of the aviation sector," says Vrijenhoek.
Teamwork: KLM also says it hopes other airlines will adopt this strategy. "Together we can make a bigger impact sooner in reducing the footprint of the aviation sector," says Vrijenhoek.
PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP via Getty Images
Photos: these airlines want you to travel by train
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