Sectors & markets

Bridging Kuala Lumpur to 28 French Destinations: Malaysia Airlines Partners with SNCF Voyageurs for Seamless Intermodal Travel

CCIFM Member Malaysia Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with SNCF Voyageurs, France's national rail operator, marking another significant step in strengthening connectivity between France and Malaysia. The collaboration reflects the growing economic ties between both countries while highlighting the increasing role of integrated mobility in supporting business and leisure travel.

Positioning itself at the forefront of intermodal travel, Malaysia Airlines continues to enhance the customer journey through its MHrail initiative. Under the new agreement, the airline will integrate air and rail services into a single itinerary via SNCF Voyageurs' TRAIN + AIR product, allowing passengers arriving at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to seamlessly continue their journey by high-speed rail across France.

The partnership extends Malaysia Airlines' network beyond Paris by providing access to 28 railway destinations throughout France. Travellers will be able to reach major cities including Lyon, Strasbourg, Rennes, Lille, and Marseille through coordinated rail connections, making regional destinations across France more accessible to passengers travelling from Malaysia.

A key feature of the collaboration is the integration of Malaysia Airlines' marketing code on SNCF-operated rail services through AccesRail's IATA code "9B." Customers can book their complete air-and-rail journey under a single itinerary, benefiting from coordinated connections, simplified transfers, and a more convenient end-to-end travel experience. Tickets have been available since 10 July 2026 through the Malaysia Airlines website.

The agreement further strengthens Malaysia Airlines' long-term strategy of expanding its European connectivity through strategic air-rail partnerships. Building on the success of its MHrail initiative at other international gateways, including London Heathrow and Seoul, the airline continues to develop a seamless travel network that extends well beyond traditional aviation routes.

For SNCF Voyageurs, the collaboration further expands its TRAIN + AIR programme, which connects France's extensive high-speed rail network with international airlines. By integrating rail and air travel into a single booking experience, SNCF Voyageurs continues to strengthen France's accessibility for international visitors while supporting more efficient and connected mobility across the country.

Commenting on the partnership, Bryan Foong, Chief Executive Officer of Airline Business at Malaysia Aviation Group, said:

"This partnership with SNCF Voyageurs represents a key step in advancing our broader strategy to deliver truly seamless, end-to-end connectivity for our customers across Europe. By integrating air and rail under a unified travel experience, we are extending our network reach beyond CDG to 28 destinations across France, enhancing connectivity while offering customers greater convenience through seamless connections and a single itinerary."

As international travel increasingly embraces multimodal transport, the partnership between Malaysia Airlines and SNCF Voyageurs demonstrates how collaboration between aviation and rail operators can create a more seamless customer experience while strengthening connectivity between Malaysia, France, and the wider European region. The integration of France's high-speed rail network into long-haul travel also encourages the use of rail for onward domestic journeys, contributing to more sustainable mobility solutions.

Source : Malaysia Aviation Group