ITA Airways unveils Olympic-themed aircraft for Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games
February 9, 2026
ITA Airways is bringing the spirit of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games into the sky, unveiling special Olympic-themed special liveries on two Airbus A320-family aircraft as part of its role as the event’s Official Airline Sponsor.
The initiative forms part of a broader partnership between the Italian flag carrier and the Milano Cortina 2026 Foundation, positioning the airline at the centre of transport, tourism and national-branding efforts tied to Italy’s first Winter Olympics in two decades.
ITA Airways Airbus A320s get a Winter Olympics makeover
Under the agreement, two aircraft dedicated to Italian winter-sports legends—an A320 named for alpine skiing champion Gustav Thöni and an A320neo honouring Olympic speed skater Enrico Fabris—will feature Olympic- and Paralympic-themed graphics illustrating winter-sport disciplines.
The artwork was created by internationally recognised Italian illustrator Emiliano Ponzi and is intended to transform the aircraft into flying ambassadors for the Games while operating across ITA Airways’ short- and medium-haul network.
ITA Airways says the Olympic livery is designed to reflect “the energy of flight and the spirit of achievement”, bringing together travel and sport, lightness and determination in a single visual identity.
The airline explains that the colour palette has been carefully chosen to align with the Look of the Games while remaining true to the brand, with dynamic forms intended to evoke speed, momentum and the pursuit of new goals.
The aircraft’s familiar design language, highlighted by the tricolour tail, is positioned as the defining visual signature of the collaboration.
With the special livery, ITA adds that its signature blue “becomes sky”, symbolising connection between people, places and emotions. Visual references to mountains, snow and ice, combined with suspended athletic jumps, are used to convey movement and energy.
Illustrations by Italian artist Emiliano Ponzi focus on what the airline calls the “decisive moment” for athletes, fleeting seconds that encapsulate “years of dreams, sacrifice and passion”.
Framing the aircraft as a bridge between sport and travel, ITA Airways draws a direct parallel between the two, stating that “travel, like sport, is emotion”, adding that passengers board with a dream and land with a story to tell.
The decorated jets form part of a wider promotional programme spanning advertising, digital campaigns and passenger engagement initiatives linked to the Games.
ITA’s Winter Olympics partnership tied to tourism and national identity
The airline also introduced SKYWAY, an installation dedicated to the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Milan, in Piazza San Carlo, which will be in place until 15 March.
Additionally, ITA Airways introduced a taste of the Milano Cortina 2026 Games menu, to be served in business class on international flights of up to three hours, with the special “Flavours at High Altitude” on offer until 15 March.
Fino al 15 marzo, a bordo delle Business Class dei nostri voli internazionali con durata fino a 3 ore, potrai gustare un menù speciale dedicato ai Giochi Olimpici e Paralimpici Invernali @milanocortina26.⁰❄️🏔️✈️ #ITAAirways #MilanoCortina2026 pic.twitter.com/f6VTXSM36C
— ITA Airways (@ITAAirways) February 4, 2026
“This is a journey through alpine cuisine—tradition, seasonality and high-quality ingredients,” the airline states. The airline is also serving the special menu at the Hangar Lounge in Rome Fiumicino and the Runway Lounge in Milan Linate.
ITA Airways announced the partnership during the inauguration of its new Runway Lounge at Milan Linate Airport.
“Our campaign celebrates the universal values of sport and the enthusiasm shared by athletes and travellers in their desire to reach a destination,” the airline states in its dedicated Olympic page.
ITA Airways also launched a “Destination Milano Cortina 2026” prize competition for eligible ticket holders travelling during 2025.
The contest offers monthly prizes and a final grand-prize Olympic experience, designed to strengthen the connection between travellers, the host regions and the Games themselves.
Chairman: Winter Olympics reinforce ITA Airways’ role as Italy’s ambassador
“We are very proud to be the Official Airline of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games,” said Sandro Pappalardo, chairman of ITA Airways.
Ci sono viaggi che prendono forma molto prima di salire a bordo. Nascono da qualcosa che ti spinge ad andare avanti. E non importa da dove parti: se quest’inverno è quella sensazione a portarti ai Giochi Olimpici e Paralimpici Invernali @milanocortina26, allora è anche il tuo… pic.twitter.com/w9YkbH3WHl
— ITA Airways (@ITAAirways) February 8, 2026
“Standing alongside Milano Cortina 2026 means, for ITA Airways, strongly reaffirming our bond with Italy, with Italian sport and its values—passion, determination, inclusion and team spirit. It is an important step for our company, underscoring with pride our role as the country’s reference carrier and an ambassador of Italian excellence around the world.
“It is no coincidence that we chose this occasion to announce the agreement,” he added. “The new lounge reflects ITA Airways’ ambitious mission, made possible through significant synergies with the most prestigious Italian brands, which share the same values and objectives: to help improve the customer experience by offering a service with Italy at its heart.”
Winter Olympics mark strategic moment for ITA Airways
The Olympic partnership arrives during a period of transformation for ITA Airways as it deepens integration with the Lufthansa Group following the German airline group’s minority investment.
Aligning the carrier’s brand with a global sporting event elevates the airline’s international visibility while reinforcing its identity as Italy’s national carrier.
ITA Airways’ partnership with Milano Cortina 2026, reflected in the two Olympic liveries, transforms the airline into a global ambassador for Italian sport, tourism and design.
Featured Image: ITA Airways
