ITA Airways Joins Star Alliance: Miles & More, Status and Lufthansa’s 90% Stake

ITA Airways became a full Star Alliance member on 1 April 2026, completing its move from SkyTeam into the Lufthansa Group’s world. On the same day, its Volare loyalty programme closed and Miles & More became ITA’s official frequent flyer programme. Weeks later, Lufthansa moved to take a 90% stake in Italy’s national airline.

This guide explains what changed, why it happened, and what it means for your miles, status, lounge access and connections when you fly ITA. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end.

ITA Airways and Star Alliance at a Glance

Detail	What you need to know
Joined Star Alliance	1 April 2026
Left SkyTeam	February 2025
Loyalty programme	Miles & More (Volare closed on 30 March 2026)
Main hub	Rome Fiumicino
Owner	Lufthansa Group (41%) and the Italian government, with Lufthansa moving to 90%
Lufthansa 90% deal	Option exercised on 12 May 2026 for €325 million; closing expected in early 2027
Airline code	AZ

ITA Airways in Brief

ITA Airways started flying on 15 October 2021 as the successor to Alitalia, which had been Italy’s national airline for decades. The new airline was created by the Italian government with a smaller fleet and network, a fresh brand and a plan to find a strong industry partner.

Rome Fiumicino is ITA’s main hub, with flights across Italy and Europe and long-haul routes to North and South America, Asia and Africa. Milan Linate is another important airport for the airline, especially for domestic and European business routes.

When it launched, ITA inherited Alitalia’s place in the SkyTeam alliance, alongside Air France, KLM and Delta. That changed once Lufthansa became its partner.

From Alitalia to ITA: A Short History

Alitalia was founded in 1946 and for decades carried the Italian flag around the world. It struggled financially for much of the 2000s and 2010s, went through several rescues and partial privatisations, and was placed under special administration in 2017. Its final flight took place on 14 October 2021.

ITA Airways took over the next day with a smaller, newer fleet, fewer staff and a business plan built around finding a strong partner. The Lufthansa ITA deal was always the likely end point of that plan, and Star Alliance membership is the clearest sign that ITA is now part of the Lufthansa family rather than a stand-alone state airline.

For travellers, the practical difference is that ITA is no longer a carrier that sits slightly apart from its alliance partners. It now shares a loyalty programme, terminals and increasingly its network planning with the wider Lufthansa Group.

How Lufthansa Took Control of ITA

Lufthansa signed a binding agreement to buy 41% of ITA in May 2023. After a long competition review by the European Commission, the deal completed on 17 January 2025. The agreement gave Lufthansa an option to buy more of the airline later.

On 12 May 2026, at ITA’s annual general meeting, Lufthansa exercised its option to buy a further 49% for €325 million. Once approved by regulators, including the European Commission and the US Department of Justice, Lufthansa will own 90% of ITA, with closing expected in the first quarter of 2027. The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance keeps the remaining 10%, which Lufthansa can buy in 2028.

What the Lufthansa ITA deal means

With a majority stake, ITA becomes a fully consolidated part of the Lufthansa Group, alongside Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. Rome Fiumicino becomes the group’s sixth hub and its southernmost gateway, joining Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels.

From SkyTeam to Star Alliance

ITA left SkyTeam in February 2025, soon after Lufthansa’s first stake was completed. It kept some benefits with SkyTeam airlines for a few months while new partnerships were set up. The move to Star Alliance then happened in steps:

Date	Step
February 2025	ITA leaves SkyTeam
July 2025	Reciprocal benefits between Volare and Miles & More begin
8 September 2025	United MileagePlus earn-and-redeem partnership starts
February 2026	Air Canada Aeroplan becomes a redemption partner
30 March 2026	Volare programme ends
1 April 2026	Full Star Alliance membership; Miles & More becomes ITA’s programme
12 May 2026	Lufthansa exercises its option to reach 90% ownership

Other integration steps have included joint cargo operations with Lufthansa Cargo and moving ITA flights into Lufthansa terminals in Frankfurt and Munich, which makes connections easier for passengers changing planes at those airports.

What Is Star Alliance?

Star Alliance is the oldest of the three global airline alliances. It was founded in 1997 and links the networks, loyalty programmes and lounges of more than two dozen member airlines, including Lufthansa, United Airlines, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SWISS and Austrian Airlines.

For passengers, alliance membership means you can book a journey on several member airlines on one ticket, check your bags through to your final destination, earn miles in one programme across all members, and enjoy status benefits on every member airline.

Volare Is Gone: Your Miles Now Go to Miles & More

The Volare programme ended on 30 March 2026. From 1 April, ITA flights earn miles in Miles & More, the programme shared by Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. If you collect miles with another Star Alliance programme, such as United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan or Air China PhoenixMiles, you can now earn and redeem on ITA flights too.

• Former Volare members: check your Miles & More account for your transferred balance and contact ITA if something looks wrong.
• Status: Miles & More has offered status recognition for former Volare elite members, so check what tier you now hold.
• Award bookings: ITA flights can be booked with Miles & More and with other Star Alliance programmes, subject to availability.
• SkyTeam programmes: you can no longer earn Air France-KLM Flying Blue or Delta SkyMiles on ITA flights.

Star Alliance Status on ITA Flights

The alliance uses two status levels, and every member airline’s tiers map to one of them. Star Alliance Silver and Gold benefits now apply on ITA flights, and ITA status counts across the alliance.

Star Alliance tier	Typical benefits	Miles & More equivalent
Silver	Priority reservations waitlisting and airport standby	Frequent Traveller
Gold	Lounge access, priority check-in and boarding, extra baggage allowance, priority baggage handling	Senator and HON Circle

If you already hold Gold status with United, Air Canada, Turkish Airlines or another member, you should now get lounge access and priority treatment when flying ITA, subject to each lounge’s rules.

What Changes for Travellers Flying ITA

• Connections: ITA flights can be combined with Star Alliance airlines on one ticket, with bags checked through to your final destination.
• Hub: Rome Fiumicino now feeds alliance connections across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
• Lounges: Star Alliance Gold members and premium-cabin passengers can use partner lounges on ITA journeys.
• Terminals: in Frankfurt and Munich, ITA now uses Lufthansa terminals, making transfers shorter.
• Transatlantic: ITA’s full integration into Lufthansa’s North Atlantic partnership still needs regulatory approval.

Flying to Italy from North America

For travellers from the US and Canada, the change opens up more ways to reach Italy. You can connect from a United or Air Canada flight to ITA in Rome, or fly ITA non-stop and earn MileagePlus or Aeroplan miles. Compare fares with Lufthansa Group connections via Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich, as prices and baggage allowances can differ.

Flying within Italy and Europe

ITA’s domestic network links Rome and Milan with cities across Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia. With ITA in Star Alliance, a trip from Asia or the Americas to a smaller Italian city can now be booked on one ticket with a Star Alliance airline and ITA, which is especially useful if you are travelling with checked bags.

How One-Ticket Connections Protect You

One of the most useful benefits of alliance membership is the ability to book several airlines on one ticket. That matters more than many travellers realise.

• Bags checked through: when your flights are on one ticket, your bags usually travel all the way to your final destination, even when you change airlines.
• Missed connections: if a delay on the first flight makes you miss the next one, the airline is responsible for rebooking you on the next available flight.
• One check-in: you can often check in for your whole journey at once and get all your boarding passes together.
• One frequent flyer number: every flight on the ticket can earn miles in the same programme.

If you book ITA and another airline on separate tickets, none of this is guaranteed. Leave much more time between flights, and remember that you may need to collect and recheck your bags.

Connecting at Rome Fiumicino

Rome Fiumicino is a large airport, and connecting there needs a little planning. Flights within the Schengen area, including domestic Italian flights, and flights to countries outside Schengen use different parts of the airport, and you may need to pass through passport control when switching between them.

• Allow enough time: choose itineraries with a comfortable connection, especially if you are travelling with children or need assistance.
• Check your gate early: look at the departure boards as soon as you land, as gates can be some distance apart.
• Keep documents ready: have your passport and boarding pass to hand if you are moving between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
• Use lounges wisely: if your status or ticket gives lounge access, check which lounge is closest to your departure gate.

Which Programme Should You Credit ITA Flights To?

Now that ITA is in Star Alliance, you can choose any member programme. The best choice depends on where you live and how you use your miles:

• Miles & More: a natural choice if you fly Lufthansa Group airlines often, especially from Europe.
• United MileagePlus: useful for US-based travellers who want to combine ITA flights with United status and awards.
• Air Canada Aeroplan: popular with Canadian travellers and for award bookings on partner airlines.
• Other programmes: Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and others may suit you if you already collect with them.

Earning rates vary by fare class and programme, and some of the cheapest fares earn few miles. Check the earning chart for your chosen programme before you book.

ITA Fleet, Fares and Baggage

ITA flies an all-Airbus fleet, from the small A220 on short European and domestic routes to the A320 family on busier routes and the wide-body A330 and A350 on long-haul flights to the Americas, Asia and Africa. Newer aircraft generally offer better seats, power sockets and Wi-Fi, so it is worth checking the aircraft type when you choose a flight.

Like most European airlines, ITA sells several fare types in each cabin. The cheapest light fares usually include only a cabin bag, while classic and flexible fares add a checked bag, seat selection and easier changes. Business class fares include lounge access, priority services and a larger baggage allowance.

• Compare fare types: a light fare plus a paid bag can cost more than a classic fare that already includes one.
• Check long-haul allowances: baggage rules on flights to and from the Americas can differ from European routes.
• Status helps: Gold members of any alliance airline usually get an extra baggage allowance on ITA.

Rules change from time to time, so check the conditions of your fare before you pay, and read our ITA guide for the latest details.

7 Smart Tips Before You Book ITA

1. Add a Star Alliance frequent flyer number to your booking, not a SkyTeam one.
2. If you held Volare miles, check your Miles & More account for the transferred balance.
3. Compare ITA with Lufthansa Group airlines on routes via Rome, Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich.
4. Check your fare’s baggage allowance, as the cheapest fares may not include a checked bag.
5. If you have Star Alliance Gold status, check lounge access at your departure airport.
6. Allow enough connection time at Rome Fiumicino, especially between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
7. Read our ITA Airways guide for baggage, fares and check-in rules.

Who Gains and Who Loses From the Switch?

Like any alliance change, the Lufthansa ITA tie-up creates winners and losers among frequent flyers.

Winners

• Star Alliance loyalists: members of United MileagePlus, Aeroplan, Miles & More and other programmes gain a new airline to earn and redeem on, with strong coverage of Italy.
• Lufthansa Group frequent flyers: connections between ITA and Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian are now smoother, with shared terminals and one loyalty programme.
• Travellers to smaller Italian cities: one-ticket journeys to places like Sicily and Sardinia are easier to book from Star Alliance networks.

Losers

• SkyTeam collectors: Flying Blue and Delta SkyMiles members who used to earn on ITA can no longer do so.
• Former Volare members: they have had to move to a new programme with different rules, earning rates and award prices.
• Travellers who relied on SkyTeam lounges: SkyTeam Elite Plus status no longer brings benefits on ITA.

What This Means for Italy’s Airline Market

Bringing ITA into Star Alliance and the Lufthansa Group gives the alliance a strong position in Italy, one of Europe’s biggest travel markets. Rome becomes a gateway for Lufthansa Group traffic to southern Europe, Africa and Latin America, while ITA gains access to a much larger network and loyalty programme.

For passengers, more competition with low-cost airlines on short-haul routes and with Gulf and SkyTeam airlines on long-haul routes should keep fares competitive. In the short term, the biggest changes are to loyalty programmes and connections rather than to the onboard experience.

See our airline guides for other Star Alliance members.

What Happens Next for ITA

Several steps are still to come, and each could bring further changes for passengers over the next two years:

• Regulatory approval of the 90% stake: the European Commission and the US Department of Justice need to approve the deal, with closing expected in the first quarter of 2027.
• North Atlantic integration: ITA is waiting for approval to join Lufthansa’s transatlantic partnership, which could bring more coordinated schedules and fares between Italy and North America.
• The final 10%: the Italian government keeps 10% of ITA, which Lufthansa can buy in 2028.
• Network changes: as ITA becomes a full group airline, some routes may be adjusted to fit the wider Lufthansa network, while Rome is expected to grow as a gateway to southern Europe.

None of these steps should affect existing bookings, but they may change which flights are available and how fares are priced in future. If you book far ahead, check your booking for schedule changes before you travel.

ITA Airways Star Alliance FAQs

Facts checked in October 2026 against Loyalty Lobby on ITA joining Star Alliance and Aviacionline on Lufthansa’s 90% stake. Programme rules change, so check with the airline before you book.