ITA Airways has officially joined Star Alliance. Photo: ITA Airways ITA Airways, the national airline of Italy, has joined the Star Alliance, becoming its 26th member and completing its integration into the world's largest global aviation network.
The event was officially marked at a ceremony held at Terminal 3 at Rome Fiumicino Airport, attended by senior company and alliance officials.
From April 1, 2026, ITA Airways will be fully connected to the alliance network, which includes over 1,150 destinations worldwide.
The move is expected to improve the passenger experience, with the possibility of continuous check-in between companies, mutual recognition of frequent flyer programs, and access to alliance lounges.
Alliance Gold status holders will also receive access to ITA lounges in Rome, Milan and Catania.
ITA's destination network, which includes its centers of operations in Rome and Milan, now connects to a wider network of 17 alliance companies operating in Italy.
ITA Airways operates over 350 daily flights and carries more than 16 million passengers annually. Its addition is expected to strengthen connectivity between Southern Europe and key international markets and expand flight options within Italy and Europe.
The process was supported by the Lufthansa Group, which has been actively involved in integrating the company into the alliance over the past few months.
Theo Panagiotoulias, CEO of Star Alliance: “With ITA Airways on board, we not only expand our network to and from Italy, but also elevate the connected experience of our customers when travelling across multiple airlines, through access to the world’s largest network of airport lounges, more comprehensive loyalty benefits, and other benefits like baggage tracking - all designed to enhance the journey at every step.”
Joerg Eberhart, CEO of ITA Airways: “By becoming part of the world’s largest and most established global airline network, we significantly expand our international reach while offering our passengers a more seamless, consistent and high‑quality travel experience, with access to over 1,150 destinations worldwide, smoother connections, integrated services and a stronger premium proposition.”
Dieter Vranckx, Group Chief Commercial Officer, also took the opportunity to express their content to introduce ITA Airways as a full hub company within the Lufthansa Group and the alliance, thus expanding the options for passengers across Europe and the world.