Italian flag carrier ITA Airways has officially joined Star Alliance as its 26th member, with full integration effective April 1, 2026. The milestone was marked by a ceremony at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport (FCO) attended by ITA Airways CEO Jörg Eberhart, Chairman Sandro Pappalardo, Lufthansa Group Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vrancx, and Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias.
Executives emphasized ITA Airways’ contribution of ‘Italianness’—a sophistication rooted in Italy’s cultural heritage—as a key asset to both Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance. Vrancx noted the rapid integration, stating, ‘It took us 10 years to integrate our first major acquisition, SWISS, and seven years to fully integrate Austrian Airlines. With ITA Airways it has only been 18 months,’ while praising the staff’s professionalism.
In 2025, ITA Airways reported a €209 million profit, contributing €90 million to Lufthansa Group results. Lufthansa currently holds a 41% stake, with plans to increase to 90%. The carrier strengthens Star Alliance’s presence in Europe’s fourth-largest air travel market, where 17 member airlines serve its Italian gateways.
Passengers gain immediate benefits including through check-in, lounge access, priority services, and reciprocal frequent flyer recognition across the network of over 1,150 destinations. ITA Airways integrates into Lufthansa’s Miles & More program on April 1, discontinuing its Volare scheme. To celebrate, the airline unveiled an Airbus A321neo painted with the Star Alliance logo.