ITA Airways is officially coming home to one of the world's biggest airline networks. On April 1, 2026, Italy's national carrier will complete its move into Star Alliance, capping off a messy chapter where the airline operated almost entirely cut off from major partnership benefits. For the past year, ITA has been stuck in alliance limbo after exiting SkyTeam early in 2025, but that awkward period ends soon.
The Lufthansa Group's investment in ITA made this shift possible, and it follows a pattern we're seeing across European aviation. Scandinavian Airlines pursued a similar path after its own ownership changes, showing how major airline groups reshape their networks through strategic alliances. For travelers who fly between Italy and the rest of Europe or beyond, this matters enormously.
What This Means for Your Frequent Flyer Account
Here's the change that will hit your wallet (or your points balance): ITA's loyalty program, Volare, officially shuts down on March 30, 2026. On April 1, the airline switches to Lufthansa's Miles&More program. If you've been collecting Volare miles, you'll need to handle the transition carefully. Miles&More members, meanwhile, gain immediate access to earn points on ITA flights, and they can tap into partnerships with United Airlines, Air Canada, and Air China for reciprocal mileage benefits.
For frequent flyers, the practical upside is real. You'll suddenly have access to upgrades, award tickets, and elite status benefits across the entire Star Alliance network. That's hundreds of flights daily added to your toolkit. A ticket to Frankfurt or Munich now connects seamlessly to Rome or Milan without the old friction of being outside the alliance system.
How Rome and Milan Connect to Europe's Hub Network
ITA operates major hubs in Rome and Milan. Under Star Alliance, these Italian gateways now link directly with Lufthansa's powerhouse hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. That's a game-changer for anyone routing through Italy or heading to Rome for a long weekend. The alliance just added hundreds of onward connections from Italian airports, making your options for continuing north, east, or beyond vastly wider.
The airline integration also signals something bigger: Italy matters to the Lufthansa Group as a strategic market. That's why they invested in ITA in the first place. You'll start seeing that reflected in schedule planning, frequent flyer benefits, and seat availability on popular routes.
The Bigger Picture of European Airline Reshuffling
ITA's move reflects consolidation sweeping through European aviation. Smaller carriers without deep pockets increasingly depend on backing from larger airline groups to stay competitive. This realignment could touch other carriers like TAP Portugal down the road, depending on who invests and when.
For passengers, the outcome is generally positive. More alliances mean better connections, simpler bookings across a wider web of routes, and loyalty programs with actual teeth. Instead of being trapped in a regional carrier, you're now connected to a truly global operation. Other carriers have made bold moves to simplify European access, and ITA's Star Alliance membership puts it in that same competitive space.
Starting April 1, if you're a Miles&More member or hold elite status with any Star Alliance partner, flying ITA becomes fundamentally more valuable. You'll earn points faster, reach elite thresholds quicker, and unlock perks across an alliance that now includes carriers like Lufthansa, United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA, and dozens more. That's leverage when you're planning your next European trip or chasing a seat to Asia.
The transition completes what should have happened months ago. Italy's national airline is no longer an alliance orphan. It's now wired into one of aviation's three major networks, with all the reach and reciprocity that entails. If you've been sitting on Volare miles, time to check the redemption window. If you hold Miles&More status, start planning which Italian city you'll use as your next hub.
