ITA Airways Set to Join Star Alliance Early 2026

Italy’s national carrier, ITA Airways, will become Star Alliance’s 26th official member in early 2026. Seeing the alliance offer more than 18,000 daily flights and connect 192 countries. 

ITA Airways is certain to be a fantastic option for Star Alliance travellers as they plan their next Round The World trip. Travel with Star Alliance in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business Class RTW!

We recommend scrolling through our Star Alliance RTW deals to learn more. However, if you would rather speak with someone, please reach out to an Airfare Specialist to discuss plans.

The Alliance’s Newest Member…

ITA Airways’ decision to integrate into the alliance follows its recent induction into the Lufthansa group earlier this year. A decision that paved the way for this highly anticipated entry into the world’s largest airline alliance.

Star Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, Theo Panagiotoulias, commented on the announcement, “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. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide.”

ITA Airways will contribute 360 daily flights to the alliance’s network. Further strengthening Star Alliance’s reach and footprint in Europe. 

What’s to Come… 

CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, Joerg Eberhart, stated, “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its 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.”

The onboarding process will commence immediately at full throttle. Italy’s home cities (namely Rome and Milan) will see the most significant growth, currently served by a collective 16 Star Alliance members.

Lufthansa Group will leverage their legacy as a member of the alliance and mentor ITA Airways through its integration journey into Star Alliance. 

On the integration, Chief Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group, Dieter Vranckx, said, “I am proud that ITA Airways will become the fifth hub airline of the Lufthansa Group to join Star Alliance. As the mentor of the membership process, we will do our utmost to ensure a smooth and swift integration. 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.” 

Interested in travelling RTW with ITA Airways? Look into Star Alliance’s Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class offerings to learn more. Contact an Airfare Specialist to discuss the benefits of Star Alliance.