In early 2025, Lufthansa Group obtained a 41% share in Italy’s ITA Airways. Italy represents a vital market for all significant European carriers, and it has been a historical stronghold for SkyTeam, prompting Lufthansa Group to seek a shift in that dynamic.
Shortly following this acquisition, ITA Airways exited the SkyTeam alliance, with intentions to join the Star Alliance in the future and implement Miles & More as its loyalty program. We now possess the timeline for this transition, which will occur sooner than anticipated.
ITA Airways is set to commence its next phase on April 1, 2026.
ITA Airways has disclosed that effective April 1, 2026, it will incorporate Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More program, discontinuing its internal ITA Volare initiative. As expected, points and status will be transferred, ideally ensuring a smooth experience for members.
Additionally, ITA Airways is anticipated to officially join the Star Alliance on that date, which means the program will finally provide full reciprocal benefits regarding point earning and redemption, as well as elite advantages, including for Star Alliance Gold members. However, I want to stress that this has not been expressly confirmed by the airline, but this is my interpretation.
ITA Airways is ultimately becoming part of the Star Alliance.
It’s refreshing to see ITA Airways no longer in a state of uncertainty.
Although I’m not particularly fond of Lufthansa Group or the Miles & More program, I do believe it’s undeniably a positive development that ITA Airways will be fully integrated into an alliance. For approximately a year, the airline has existed between alliances, which is less than ideal for reciprocity concerning points earning and redeeming, along with accessing elite benefits, etc.
During this interim, ITA Airways has established some bilateral agreements with other carriers, but that still falls short of the convenience that comes with membership in a major alliance, where policies among airlines tend to be clear-cut.
I’m thrilled that it will be possible to redeem all Star Alliance rewards currencies, such as Avianca Lifemiles, for flights on ITA Airways. Furthermore, this change should increase lounge access eligibility for many travelers with ITA Airways, based on both status and service class, so anticipate that the airline’s limited lounge facilities may become busier.
This is positive news for lounge access reciprocity.
In conclusion,
On April 1, 2026, ITA Airways will transition to Lufthansa Miles & More as its loyalty program, phasing out ITA Volare. Moreover, the airline is expected to join the Star Alliance, approximately a year after departing from the SkyTeam alliance. I am eager to explore more avenues for earning and redeeming points while traveling with ITA, as well as benefiting from elite perks.
What are your thoughts on this development regarding ITA Airways’ loyalty program?