ITA Airways Cleared To Join Star Alliance: What Travelers Need to Know

ITA Airways has received formal approval to begin the integration process into Star Alliance. Greenlit by the alliance’s Chief Executive Board, the move comes just months after Lufthansa Group acquired a 41 percent stake in the Italian flag carrier, marking a critical shift in ITA’s long-term strategy.

What Star Alliance Membership Means

Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias confirmed that ITA Airways is expected to become a full member by early 2026.

“The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways,” said Panagiotoulias. “As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travelers worldwide.“

Photo: Courtesy of Star Alliance

ITA will eventually contribute 360 daily flights to the alliance’s network, significantly expanding the group’s European footprint—especially in Rome and Milan, where 16 Star Alliance members already operate.

Once onboarded, the alliance will grow to 26 member airlines offering more than 18,000 daily flights to 192 countries.

Strategic Realignment Under Lufthansa

ITA’s shift to Star Alliance directly resulted from its partial acquisition by Lufthansa Group, which paid €325 million ($353 million) in January 2025 for its initial stake. Lufthansa’s ultimate goal is full ownership.

During the announcement, Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, emphasized the strategic value of ITA’s integration: “I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning.“

Photo: Courtesy of Lufthansa

Carsten Spohr, Lufthansa Group CEO, added, “Now that ITA Airways has recently joined our airline family, we aim to accelerate the merger process… ITA and its passengers, along with the customers of our other airlines, will quickly benefit from the advantages of a larger Lufthansa Group.“

Spohr also signaled optimism that ITA Airways could turn a profit as early as this year—something not achieved by the airline or its predecessor, Alitalia, for over a decade.

What Changes for Travelers Right Now?

Although ITA Airways received the green light to join Star Alliance, travelers should be aware that the airline is currently navigating a transitional phase as it concludes its affiliation with SkyTeam.

Photo: Courtesy of Airbus SAS

This transition period will extend until April 30, 2025. During this time, passengers of ITA Airways can continue to enjoy a range of valuable SkyTeam benefits, including expedited check-in through SkyPriority, as well as exclusive advantages like Elite and Elite Plus status. Additionally, they will retain access to airport lounges.

“SkyTeam, its member airlines, and ITA Airways are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition for customers and partners during the exit phase,” SkyTeam said in a statement.

ITA’s Integration with Lufthansa

Before officially joining the Star Alliance, ITA started coordinating its operations with the Lufthansa Group in February. ITA and Lufthansa Group airlines began offering codeshare tickets on an initial 100 routes. In the future, ITA passengers will have access to over 250 destinations within the group’s network.

Miles & More members can now earn and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights. Likewise, members of ITA’s Volare program can use their points on flights operated by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines.

Photo: Courtesy of Lufthansa

Since March 30, eligible ITA passengers will have access to roughly 130 Lufthansa Group and partner lounges worldwide. At the same time, ITA Airways lounges will welcome Lufthansa Group frequent flyers.

Operational integration is also underway: ITA will co-locate with Lufthansa at Frankfurt’s Terminal 1 and Munich’s Terminal 2, reducing connection times and aligning schedules between key hubs across Europe, including Zurich, Vienna, Brussels, Rome, and Milan.

The End of Italy’s SkyTeam Era

ITA Airways’ departure from SkyTeam marks the end of Italy’s two-decade relationship with the alliance. Alitalia, ITA’s predecessor, was a founding SkyTeam member in 2001 and played a crucial role in transatlantic markets through joint ventures with Delta, Air France, and KLM.

The loss of Italy as a strategic market is a setback for SkyTeam, while Star Alliance—already dominant in the transatlantic corridor—gains valuable access to Italy’s busiest airports.

Photo: ITA Airways, Airbus A330-200 “Francesco Totti.” Courtesy of ITA Airways / Alfredo Falcone

Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, framed the transition as a new chapter: “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth.“

Looking Ahead

While full Star Alliance membership won’t happen overnight, the course is now set. By early 2026, ITA Airways will be integrated into a vast global network, offering Italian travelers broader connectivity, expanded perks, and deeper integration with Lufthansa Group airlines.

For SkyTeam loyalists in Italy, this marks a farewell. But for travelers eager for more seamless connections through Rome and Milan, the winds of change may be blowing in their favor.