The Lufthansa Group's recent investment in the Italian airline ITA Airways represents an important step in the further expansion and networking of the Lufthansa Group.
Soon after the announcement of the takeover, the first concrete benefits for passengers of the two airlines will be noticeable. This includes the use of frequent flyer programs, optimized airport processes and an expanded selection of flight connections. While the integration is taking place gradually, those responsible at the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways are already presenting a series of measures designed to improve travel comfort for passengers.
Frequent flyer programs and synergies with miles and points
One of the first major innovations is the expansion of the frequent flyer programs of both airlines. From now on, all 36 million members of Lufthansa's own "Miles & More" program can collect and redeem miles on all ITA Airways flights. In return, the 2,7 million members of the ITA Airways "Volare" program can now use their collected points on all flights of Lufthansa Group airlines such as Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines. This networking of the frequent flyer programs ensures that travelers can benefit from a significantly expanded network and more flexibility in the future. This optimizes the frequent flyer experience beyond the usual boundaries.
Airport relocation and shortened transfer times
Another tangible benefit for Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways passengers will come into effect with the start of the summer flight schedule on March 30, 2025: From this point on, ITA Airways flights will be handled in the Lufthansa Group terminals at the main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. In Frankfurt, ITA Airways will be housed in Terminal 1, while in Munich the switch will take place to Terminal 2. This standardization of terminal usage will result in significantly shorter transfer times for passengers.
In addition to the German hubs, the other main European airports served by Lufthansa and its partners, as well as ITA Airways' two main airports in Rome-Fiumicino and Milan-Linate, will share the same terminal areas. Travelers will therefore be able to transfer between flights even more efficiently in the future, which is particularly beneficial for connecting passengers.
Lounge access and additional comfort for passengers
From March 30, 2025, ITA Airways passengers will also be able to use the approximately 130 lounges of the Lufthansa Group and its partners. This means a significant expansion of access to comfortable waiting areas at airports worldwide. At the same time, Lufthansa Group passengers will also have free access to ITA Airways lounges, further enhancing the travel experience.
Standardizing lounge access contributes to an overall more pleasant and relaxing airport experience, which is particularly important for frequent travelers.
Codeshare flights and expanded flight connections
The integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group network also brings with it a significant expansion of the flight offering. From the summer flight schedule, over 100 flight connections will be offered under a joint codeshare program. These codeshare flights allow passengers to combine connections from different Lufthansa Group airlines in a single booking. Codesharing gives passengers more flexibility and choice, as they can plan their trips more efficiently.
An outstanding example of the expansion of flight connections is access to more than 250 destinations of the Lufthansa Group. In addition, the flight offer for ITA Airways passengers will be expanded to include several domestic flights to Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria and Apulia. Conversely, Lufthansa Group passengers can now also use ITA Airways' domestic flight connections within Italy, which significantly increases the convenience for travelers between countries and regions.
Another aim of the integration is to better coordinate the flight schedules of the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways. This will optimize the connection between the Lufthansa Group hubs in Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna and Brussels and the two main airports of ITA Airways in Rome and Milan. Thanks to these coordinated departure times, passengers will have less waiting time and better connections to long-haul flights. Travelers can therefore plan more flexibly and efficiently and reach their destination more quickly.
Future accession to the Star Alliance
Another strategic step resulting from the integration is ITA Airways' planned entry into the largest global airline alliance, Star Alliance. Joining this alliance will give ITA Airways passengers access to the extensive benefits of Star Alliance member airlines, including enhanced flight experiences and enhanced frequent flyer programs. Entry into Star Alliance is scheduled for the first half of 2026, while ITA Airways simultaneously prepares its exit from the SkyTeam alliance.
Close cooperation between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Cargo is also planned in the air freight sector. The first joint offers on selected routes are to be available as early as summer 2025. This cooperation should be particularly beneficial for freight customers who rely on efficient and reliable transport solutions. The expansion in the air freight sector shows how the Lufthansa Group and ITA Airways are strategically networking with each other not only in passenger air traffic, but also in the logistics sector.
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