ITA Airways has officially entered the Lufthansa Group, marking a major milestone in its growth strategy. The announcement was made during the airline’s first press conference of the year at its headquarters in Rome Fiumicino. The event featured ITA Airways Chairman Sandro Pappalardo, CEO Joerg Eberhart, and Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr.
As part of the integration, ITA Airways unveiled new commercial initiatives aimed at enhancing passenger benefits and streamlining operations. A major highlight is the partnership between ITA Airways’ loyalty program, Volare, and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More, one of Europe’s largest frequent flyer programs. This partnership allows Volare’s 2.7 million members to earn and redeem points on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, while the 36 million Miles & More members gain similar privileges on ITA Airways flights.
Starting 30 March 2025, additional benefits will roll out for passengers, including:
- Lounge access – ITA Airways passengers will gain access to approximately 130 Lufthansa Group lounges worldwide, while Lufthansa Group travelers will be able to use ITA Airways’ lounges.
- Terminal consolidation – ITA Airways will relocate its operations to Lufthansa Group terminals at Frankfurt and Munich Airports, simplifying transfers for passengers. At other Lufthansa Group hubs, ITA Airways will operate from terminal areas where Lufthansa carriers are already present.
- Expanded codesharing – A codeshare agreement between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group airlines will enable passengers to combine flights from multiple carriers, significantly increasing connectivity. ITA Airways passengers will gain access to approximately 250 destinations, while Lufthansa Group customers will benefit from easier connections to ITA Airways’ network.
- Optimized flight schedules – Frequencies and schedules will be synchronized between Lufthansa Group hubs (Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, Brussels) and ITA Airways’ main airports (Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate) to offer shorter and more convenient connections.
During the event, ITA Airways also confirmed its departure from the SkyTeam alliance, with the transition set to be completed by 30 April 2025. The airline assured customers that the process will be carefully managed to minimize disruptions, maintaining key benefits through existing bilateral agreements with select SkyTeam airlines.
In the coming weeks, ITA Airways will begin the process of joining Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance, with full integration expected by early 2026. This move aligns ITA Airways more closely with Lufthansa Group’s network and its partners, further expanding travel options and loyalty program benefits for passengers.
Speaking at the press conference, Sandro Pappalardo, Chairman of ITA Airways, emphasized the significance of this transition: “This role is a great responsibility for me, and even after just a few days, I have gained a deeper understanding of the importance of this position. With the Lufthansa Group partnership, we will strengthen ITA Airways’ position and enhance connectivity for passengers worldwide.”
ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart echoed this sentiment, highlighting the immediate benefits for customers: “Today marks a historic moment for ITA Airways. We are offering passengers a more seamless travel experience through new benefits like lounge access and codeshare agreements. We have also taken a crucial step by leaving SkyTeam and preparing to join Star Alliance. This is only the beginning, as we continue to expand and seek new growth opportunities for our customers.”
With its integration into the Lufthansa Group and upcoming Star Alliance membership, ITA Airways is positioning itself for significant expansion, offering its customers enhanced global connectivity and travel perks.
