ITA Airways has officially received approval to begin its integration into Star Alliance, following a decision by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB).
This milestone, announced after ITA’s induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, marks the airline’s path toward becoming part of the world’s largest airline alliance. The onboarding process is now set to accelerate.
Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias celebrated the milestone. “In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways,” he said. “As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide.”
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Meanwhile, Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said the integration would further enhance the airline’s global reach. “This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network,” he added.
Lufthansa Group, which is guiding ITA Airways through its integration, also welcomed the development. Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of Lufthansa Group, remarked, “ITA Airways’ future membership will provide Star Alliance customers with many new opportunities for personalised travel planning. I am confident that ITA Airways will be an excellent addition to the Star Alliance portfolio.”
Once complete, Star Alliance will feature 26 member airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights to 192 countries. With 360 daily flights, ITA Airways will notably expand the alliance’s footprint in Europe. The biggest increase in capacity will come from its hubs in Rome and Milan, which are already served by 16 Star Alliance members.
