First Rail-Fly partnership in the UK to launch
An international airline and two UK train companies are making it possible for their customers to travel from Bristol to Brisbane under just one booking.
An international airline and two UK train companies are making it possible for their customers to travel from Bristol to Brisbane under just one booking.
Until now this trip, without a car, would have required at least three separate bookings and three separate transactions with three different transport providers.
Soon travellers from 11 Southwest destinations, including Bath, Bristol and Cardiff, can arrange their international flights and rail fares under one booking, thanks to a partnership between Singapore Airlines, Heathrow Express and First Great Western.
The rail-fly partnership will save customers time and money. An economy SaverExpress fare from Bristol to Brisbane will save you £140 or 13% and those travelling BusinessExpress will save nearly £190 or 5%*.
While customers can enjoy the flexibility of travelling on any train they choose, the rail-fly.com website also shows the best train times to connect with their flight.
This is the first “through ticketing” of its kind in the UK. Customers travelling from the southwest region will board a First Great Western train to London Paddington station, from where they will use the Heathrow Express train service to link to Heathrow, ultimately boarding their Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore and beyond. The process also works vice-versa when they fly into the UK.
Wilson Yong, General Manager UK and Ireland for Singapore Airlines, commented:
“Singapore Airlines is excited to initiate the first ever rail and fly partnership in the UK. In conjunction with First Great Western and Heathrow Express, we are simplifying long-haul travel by enabling customers to exclusively and conveniently book their trains and flights in one transaction.
“Together we are proud to launch another industry first, helping to bring the Southwest to Asia and the rest of the world – and the world to Southwest England in return. The UK is a market of great importance to us, as is increasing connectivity with the nation’s hub airport, London Heathrow.”
Keith Greenfield, managing director of Heathrow Express, said:
“Now people can book a journey between Bath and Singapore with just one transaction rather than three. This is the smarter way to travel.
“The main beneficiary of this rail-fly deal will be customers - not just Heathrow Express customers but also Singapore Airlines and First Great Western customers.”
Mark Hopwood, First Great Western Managing Director, said:
“Whether you are a businessman travelling to a meeting or a family going on holiday, many people would like to take advantage of a single booking from their nearest station to a host of destinations across the world.
“Rail-Fly provides that perfect travel solution, where you will be looked after by First Great Western’s helpful and friendly staff before boarding your Singapore Airlines flight, or as you return home. The first of its kind in the UK, the partnership works for our customers, for Heathrow Express’ customers and for Singapore Airlines’ customers. This is a ground breaking deal and we look forward to making it a great success.”
Southwest destinations included in the partnership to launch on Thursday 23 January include:
Notes to editors:
This partnership has been made possible with the help of AccesRail. AccesRail's solution allows rail tickets to travel agents on a system they are familiar with - providing IATA licensed travel agents with a user friendly method of selling both rail and air tickets.
Until now this trip, without a car, would have required at least three separate bookings and three separate transactions with three different transport providers.
Soon travellers from 11 Southwest destinations, including Bath, Bristol and Cardiff, can arrange their international flights and rail fares under one booking, thanks to a partnership between Singapore Airlines, Heathrow Express and First Great Western.
The rail-fly partnership will save customers time and money. An economy SaverExpress fare from Bristol to Brisbane will save you £140 or 13% and those travelling BusinessExpress will save nearly £190 or 5%*.
While customers can enjoy the flexibility of travelling on any train they choose, the rail-fly.com website also shows the best train times to connect with their flight.
This is the first “through ticketing” of its kind in the UK. Customers travelling from the southwest region will board a First Great Western train to London Paddington station, from where they will use the Heathrow Express train service to link to Heathrow, ultimately boarding their Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore and beyond. The process also works vice-versa when they fly into the UK.
Wilson Yong, General Manager UK and Ireland for Singapore Airlines, commented:
“Singapore Airlines is excited to initiate the first ever rail and fly partnership in the UK. In conjunction with First Great Western and Heathrow Express, we are simplifying long-haul travel by enabling customers to exclusively and conveniently book their trains and flights in one transaction.
“Together we are proud to launch another industry first, helping to bring the Southwest to Asia and the rest of the world – and the world to Southwest England in return. The UK is a market of great importance to us, as is increasing connectivity with the nation’s hub airport, London Heathrow.”
Keith Greenfield, managing director of Heathrow Express, said:
“Now people can book a journey between Bath and Singapore with just one transaction rather than three. This is the smarter way to travel.
“The main beneficiary of this rail-fly deal will be customers - not just Heathrow Express customers but also Singapore Airlines and First Great Western customers.”
Mark Hopwood, First Great Western Managing Director, said:
“Whether you are a businessman travelling to a meeting or a family going on holiday, many people would like to take advantage of a single booking from their nearest station to a host of destinations across the world.
“Rail-Fly provides that perfect travel solution, where you will be looked after by First Great Western’s helpful and friendly staff before boarding your Singapore Airlines flight, or as you return home. The first of its kind in the UK, the partnership works for our customers, for Heathrow Express’ customers and for Singapore Airlines’ customers. This is a ground breaking deal and we look forward to making it a great success.”
Southwest destinations included in the partnership to launch on Thursday 23 January include:
- Bath
- Bristol Parkway and Bristol Temple Meads
- Cardiff and Swansea
- Oxford
- Exeter
- Plymouth
- Par
- St Austell
- Penzance
Notes to editors:
This partnership has been made possible with the help of AccesRail. AccesRail's solution allows rail tickets to travel agents on a system they are familiar with - providing IATA licensed travel agents with a user friendly method of selling both rail and air tickets.