Munich-based transportation company Flix is poised to challenge the dominance of Deutsche Bahn (DB) in the German long-distance rail market with a new high-speed train service and a distinctly different operational model.
According to Flix founder and CEO André Schwämmlein, the company aims to differentiate itself from the national rail operator by prioritizing guaranteed seating for all passengers-a feature not universally offered by DB. The service will eschew traditional first-class carriages and onboard restaurants, opting instead for automated snack and beverage options. Further passenger comfort will be enhanced through level-entry boarding – mirroring the ease of access found on S-Bahn commuter trains – designed to minimize dwell times at stations.
While details of specific routes and launch dates remain unconfirmed, Schwämmlein confirmed Flix intends to maintain a price advantage over DB. The company recently placed an order for 65 high-speed trains from Talgo, valued at up to €2.4 billion, which will be rolled out incrementally. Options for premium services, such as luggage allowance and preferred seating, will be available at an additional cost.
Schwämmlein emphasized the importance of a truly competitive rail market, asserting that the current environment is not level playing field. A core concern for Flix is access to existing distribution infrastructure, specifically the DB Navigator app – Germany’s leading ticket platform. He points out that the app, initially developed using public funds, now facilitates ticket sales for nearly all European rail operators, with the exception of Flix. He claims that technical barriers do not prevent Flix from integrating with the platform and views this lack of access as discriminatory, indicating the company intends to pursue the matter further.
