VIA Rail Canada is venturing into unfamiliar territory having inked an agreement with Hainan Airlines to cross-sell combined flight and rail tickets.
The agreement is both a first with a company in China and also the first time an airline is able to sell VIA Rail tickets.
Hainan Airlines’ ticket offices and designated travel agencies will be able to sell combined air and rail segments on a single ticket, while North American VIA Rail passengers can book through tickets to China via Toronto.
"We are excited about our first partnership with a Chinese airline and our very first partnership of this kind, offering a combined air-rail ticket," said Martin R. Landry, chief commercial officer at VIA Rail.
"China is the biggest-spending travel market in the world, and Chinese tourism to Canada has been growing over the past few years. Canadians continue to show great interest in visiting China as well, so this collaboration is very exciting."
Hainan Airlines, the fourth largest carrier in China, operates 10 flight a week to and from Toronto.
