ITA Airways Joins Star Alliance 2026: What UK Travellers Need to Know About Flights, Lounges and Miles & More

Crystal Travel | Travel News | 2 April 2026

A Historic Moment for Italian Aviation

In a move that has been building for well over a year, Italy's national carrier ITA Airways officially became the 26th member of Star Alliance on 1 April 2026. For UK travellers, this is one of the most meaningful developments in European aviation in recent memory — and the benefits are immediate.

The milestone was marked at a formal ceremony held at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart joined Star Alliance CEO Theo Panagiotoulias and Lufthansa Group's Chief Commercial Officer Dieter Vranckx to celebrate what all three described as a defining moment for Italian aviation. The integration was completed in just 18 months, a remarkable pace given that Lufthansa's previous acquisitions of Swiss and Austrian Airlines took a decade and seven years, respectively, to fully absorb.

How Did We Get Here?

The journey to this point began in January 2025, when Lufthansa Group acquired a 41% stake in ITA Airways. That investment triggered a chain of events: ITA exited the SkyTeam alliance in April 2025 and spent the following months preparing for its new home within Star Alliance. Founded in 2021 as the successor to the long-troubled Alitalia, ITA Airways has grown steadily and posted a profit of €209 million in 2025 — a reassuring sign of stability for travellers booking with the carrier.

A More Connected World for UK Travellers

A Bigger, Better Connected Network

Star Alliance now spans 26 member airlines, operating more than 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150 destinations across nearly 200 countries. ITA Airways contributes over 350 daily flights to that network, with Rome Fiumicino as its primary hub and Milan Linate serving as a key secondary gateway, both already connected to 17 other Star Alliance carriers.

For anyone flying from the UK to Italy and continuing elsewhere, through check-in is now available on a single ticket across all Star Alliance member airlines. That means no more reclaiming and re-dropping luggage on multi-leg journeys. Connections to long-haul destinations via Rome or Milan — whether onward to New York, Tokyo, or Cape Town — are now considerably smoother.

Lounge Access and On-Ground Benefits

The ground experience has improved, too. Star Alliance Gold members can now use ITA Airways lounges in Rome, Milan, and Catania, while eligible ITA passengers gain access to over 1,000 lounges across the global alliance network. Priority check-in, fast-track security where available, and coordinated baggage handling across member airlines are among the additional perks that come with the membership.

What Happens to the Loyalty Programme?

UK frequent flyers should take note of a significant loyalty shake-up. ITA's own Volare programme closed on 30 March 2026 and has been replaced by Lufthansa's Miles & More — one of Europe's most established reward schemes, shared by Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, among others. Members can now earn and redeem miles across the full Star Alliance network when flying with ITA, including on partners such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

Why Its Important for UK Travellers

Italy consistently ranks among the top holiday destinations for British travellers, and with ITA Airways now firmly part of the world's largest airline alliance, the experience of flying there and connecting onwards has never been more rewarding. Whether you are planning a city break to Rome, a cultural escape to Milan, or a long-haul journey routing through Italy, the expanded network and new passenger benefits make ITA Airways a stronger choice than ever before.

Planning a trip to Italy or beyond? Get in touch with the Crystal Travel team for expert advice and the best available fares.

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