Star Alliance tightens grip on Europe as ITA Airways joins
March 31, 2026
After almost a year outside any airline alliance, ITA Airways has joined Star Alliance as part of its ongoing integration with Lufthansa Airlines Group.
The addition adds key routes to the alliance, which is the world’s largest by passenger count, revenue, and number of member airlines.
ITA Airways quits SkyTeam, joins Star Alliance
ITA quit the SkyTeam Alliance last April, and has been outside any of the major global airline alliances since then.
But marking their entry into the grouping of 26 carriers, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias said ITA’s presence would “not only expand our network to and from Italy, but also elevate the connected experience of our customers when travelling across multiple airlines”.
From 1 April, ITA Airways will be fully connected into the alliance’s network of airports, via its Rome Fiumicino hub and Milan Linate, which are served by 17 Star Alliance members.
Passengers travelling across the Star Alliance network will benefit from through check-in, reciprocal frequent flyer recognition and access to lounges, creating a “more seamless customer experience in and out of Italy”, it said.
Joerg Eberhart, CEO and general manager of ITA Airways, said: “Joining Star Alliance marks a historic milestone for ITA Airways and a defining step in our growth.
“By becoming part of the world’s largest and most established global airline network, we significantly expand our international reach while offering our passengers a more seamless, consistent and high‑quality travel experience, with access to over 1,150 destinations worldwide, smoother connections, integrated services and a stronger premium proposition.
“At the same time, we enter Star Alliance bringing with us our distinctive Italian identity, enriching the Alliance and reinforcing ITA Airways’ role in connecting Italy with the world, combining global standards of excellence with the warmth and elegance that define the Italian way of flying.”
With the addition of ITA Airways, Star Alliance now comprises 26 member airlines, offering more than 17,500 daily flights across a global network spanning over 190 countries.
Lufthansa Group targets further integration of ITA
The move to Star Alliance has been on the cards since Lufthansa Airlines Group acquired a 41% stake in ITA Airways, which itself evolved from the collapse of former state-owned carrier Alitalia.
Originally announced in May 2023 and following two previous attempts by Lufthansa to secure a stake in the Italian carrier in 2009 and 2018, the deal was finally completed in January 2025 after receiving approval from the European Commission.
As part of the deal and to satisfy regulatory requirements, Lufthansa and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), which has the majority stake in the airline, made a series of concessions to release slots at Italian airports to other airlines.
ITA joined Miles & More programme
Under the arrangement, Miles & More will become ITA’s official loyalty programme.
The Lufthansa Group’s frequent flyer programme will then be open to all passengers of the Italian airline.
Miles & More members can earn miles on all Lufthansa Group airlines, all Star Alliance airlines, and other partner airlines, with the miles redeemable for award flights and other travel-related awards.
Dieter Vranckx, chief commercial officer of Lufthansa Group, said the move would integrate ITA further “into our Lufthansa Group airline commercial powerhouse”.
He said: “Welcoming ITA Airways to the Miles & More program is a unique milestone, not only from a programme offer perspective but also from the airline’s customers perspective.
“With this step, we continue to be on track integrating ITA Airways as Hub Airline.”
Featured image: franz massard | stock.adobe.com
