ITA Airways is Italy’s national airline and a relatively young but rapidly growing player in international aviation. Although it only began operations in 2021 as the successor to the long-standing Alitalia brand, ITA has quickly made a name for itself with a modern fleet, a wide-reaching route map, and premium service offerings across all classes.

Origins and Strategic Growth

ITA Airways was launched in 2021 to take over from the defunct Alitalia, continuing Italy’s long tradition of having a home-grown flag carrier. It operates a fleet of nearly 100 aircraft and serves over 70 destinations across Europe, North America, South America, Africa, and Asia.

A major recent development for the airline has been its exit from the SkyTeam alliance — a partnership it had since its inception — and the beginning of a transition to Star Alliance, with full membership expected in early 2026. This change follows a strategic investment by the Lufthansa Group, which now owns about 41 % of ITA’s shares while the Italian government retains the rest.

Route Network and Hubs

ITA’s primary hub is Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), from which it operates most of its long-haul flights. It also has significant operations at Milan Linate Airport (LIN) for shorter European routes, offering convenient connections within Italy and across the continent.

Long-Haul Destinations

Across the Atlantic and beyond, ITA Airways flies to key cities including major gateways in the United States (such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.), Canada, South America and more. These services serve both business and leisure travelers.

In addition to direct operations, ITA is expanding connectivity through codeshare agreements with other airlines — especially those in the Lufthansa Group — making it easier to reach even more cities around the world.

Cabin Experience

ITA offers multiple classes of service tailored to different types of travel:

Economy Class: Comfortable seating with complimentary snacks and drinks on most services.

Premium Economy: More legroom and enhanced service compared with standard economy.

Business Class: Especially on long-haul aircraft, passengers enjoy lie-flat seats, direct aisle access, and gourmet Italian meals.

Short-haul Business (“Euro Business”): A unique product on European routes — essentially an economy seat with the middle seat blocked and added amenities such as meals and drinks.

Across all cabins, passengers can expect seatback entertainment, Wi-Fi on many aircraft, and friendly service that reflects Italy’s hospitality.

Baggage Policies

While specific allowances vary by route and fare type, typical rules include:

Economy Light fares often do not include checked luggage.

Standard economy usually includes at least one checked bag.

Premium Economy and Business class passengers can check multiple bags at higher weight allowances.

All travelers can bring a carry-on bag, subject to airline size/weight limits.

Always check your fare rules carefully before booking, as baggage allowance can differ by ticket type and destination.

Frequent Flyer Program — Volare

ITA’s loyalty program, Volare, lets passengers earn points on flights and redeem them for future travel, upgrades, and other rewards. Members move through several tiers — from Smart to Executive — each offering perks such as priority check-in, lounge access, and extra baggage allowances at higher levels.

With the airline’s growing partnership with the Lufthansa Group, Volare members also have increasing opportunities to earn and redeem miles on partner airlines and — once Star Alliance membership is fully in place — will benefit from alliance-wide recognition and rewards.

Lufthansa Group Integration & Star Alliance Plans

A major shift in ITA’s strategy is its integration with the Lufthansa Group. Since early 2025, the airline has been aligning more closely with Lufthansa and its partner carriers (such as SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines). This includes shared lounge access, coordinated flight schedules, and extensive codeshares that significantly expand global connectivity.

ITA Airways is currently transitioning to become a full member of Star Alliance in early 2026 — the world’s largest airline alliance — which will widen travel and loyalty benefits for passengers across one of the most extensive global flight networks.

Why Fly ITA Airways?

In just a few years, ITA has carved out a strong reputation for blending Italian flair with modern aviation standards. Its growing route network, upgraded onboard products, and strategic partnerships make it a compelling choice for travelers flying to Europe and beyond. Coupled with the ongoing alliance transition and enhanc