Star Alliance gives the ok to the entrance of Ita Airways: from 2026 flights to 192 countries, more comfortable times and lounge

Ita Airways takes a step forward towards theEntrance to the largest alliance of the skies. Star Alliance gave the ok at the start of the tricolor vector integration process which will enter the 1st quarter 2026 in the « family » where there are already vectors such as Lufthansa and United Airlines, Air Canada and Avianca, Turkish Airlines and all Nippon Airways, up to Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand. The positive opinion of the executive board of Star Alliance follows the entry of ITA into the Lufthansa group.

Comparison

At the end of the Ita integration process, the Star Alliance network will grow to 26 airlines, offering over 18 thousand flights per day in 192 countries. More than the Skyteam rivals (from which Ita will be released on April 30) and Oneworld. This year, according to the Cirium data provided to Courierthe Aviolinee associated with Star Alliance plus ita offer almost 1.1 billion seats for sale, Skyteam (where Air France-Klm, Delta Air Lines are located) less than 800 million and Oneworld (British Airways, American Airlines, Qatar Airways) below 700 million.

The comments

The « integration process » of Ita in Star Alliance « will now continue at full speed », reads the official note. « At the beginning of 2026, the Italian company will officially become part of our network as a fully member, » comments Theo Panagiotulias, CEO of the Alliance. « As gateway for Italy, the addition of Ita strengthens our global network, offering trips without interruption and most traveler connections all over the world ».

From Rome and Frankfurt

« This is a significant milestone in the growth of Ita and we can’t wait to offer our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest air network, » adds Joerg Eberhart, CEO and general manager of the tricolor carrier. To lead the integration process is the Lufthansa group which is also one of the founders of Star Alliance. « As a mentor of the adhesion process, we will do everything possible to ensure a fluid and rapid integration, » underlines Dieter Vranckx, Chief Commercial Officer of the German giant.

The expected advantages

Through alliances, airlines collaborate to offer passengers a wider range of destinations, improved services and advantages. For example, the flights to Codeshare, the shared access to the lounges, coordinated schedules of flights to minimize the timing of the airport, shared airport structures (check-in counters, boarding terminal), possibility of accumulating and redeeming miles on all the aviolinees of the alliance. In the well -known Star Alliance it lets you know that Ita « will add 360 daily flights to the alliance networkfurther strengthening his presence in the European region. The greatest growth will come from its cities of origin, in particular Rome and Milan, which are currently served by 16 members ».