Tourexpi
Star Alliance: ITA Airways Set to Start Integration into Star Alliance
Building
on its induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, this decision
paves the way for its much anticipated entry into the world’s largest airline
alliance. The onboarding process will now move at full throttle.
Celebrating
the milestone, Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias
stated: “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.”
Joerg
Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said: “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."
ITA
Airways will add 360 daily flights to the Alliance network, further
strengthening the Alliance’s footprint in the European region. The biggest
growth will come from its home cities, especially Rome and Milan, which are
currently served by 16 Star Alliance members collectively.
Leveraging
their legacy within the Alliance, Lufthansa Group is mentoring ITA Airways
through its integration journey into Star Alliance.
“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,” said Dieter Vranckx, Chief
Commercial Officer of the Lufthansa Group.
Upon
completing induction, the Star Alliance network will grow to 26 member
airlines, offering over 18,000 daily flights connecting 192 countries.
About
Star Alliance
Established
in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance, the Star Alliance network
was founded on a customer value proposition of global reach, worldwide
recognition, and seamless service. Since its inception, it has offered the
largest and most comprehensive airline network, with a strong emphasis on
enhancing the customer experience throughout the entire Alliance journey.
The
member airlines are: Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air India, Air New
Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Avianca, Brussels Airlines, Copa
Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, Ethiopian Airlines, EVA Air, LOT Polish
Airlines, Lufthansa, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African
Airways, SWISS, TAP Air Portugal, THAI, Turkish Airlines, and United.
Overall,
the Star Alliance network currently offers 17,500 daily flights to over 1,150
airports in 189 countries. Further connecting flights are offered by Star
Alliance Connecting Partner Juneyao Airlines.
Image
Credit: © Lufthansa Group
The most interesting news
Hyatt Regency Danang Enhances Family Offerings for 2025
Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa is expanding its award-winning family experience in 2025 with new attractions designed to delight guests of all ages.
Corendon Airlines Celebrates 20th Anniversary with New Routes, Onboard Specials, and Discounts
Corendon Airlines marked its 20th anniversary with a celebratory gala at the Cosmos Theatre in Antalya, bringing together partners from tourism, aviation, business, and media to honour two decades of growth and look ahead to the future.
United Airlines Reaches Tentative Agreement with Flight Attendants Union
United Airlines and the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) have reached a tentative agreement that includes industry-leading wages, a signing bonus, and quality-of-life improvements for the airline’s 28,000 flight attendants.
Emirates Skywards Partners with Coca-Cola Arena to Offer Exclusive Entertainment Experiences
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates, has expanded its Skywards Exclusives portfolio by partnering with Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, offering members the chance to redeem or bid Miles for hospitality tickets to top live ev
Bangladesh Seeks Turkish Partnership for Forest Restoration and Eco-Tourism Development
Bangladesh has officially requested technical support from Türkiye to advance its forest restoration initiatives and develop a sustainable eco-tourism strategy.
WTM London 2025 Poised to Be the Largest in Its 45-Year History
World Travel Market (WTM) London is set to host its most expansive and influential edition to date when it returns from Tuesday 4 to Thursday 6 November 2025.
International Tourist Arrivals Rise 5% in Q1 2025, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
According to the latest World Tourism Barometer published by UN Tourism, international tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) grew by 5% in the first quarter of 2025, with more than 300 million travellers crossing borders—an increase of 14 million c
Türkiye Welcomes 10,59 Million Foreign Tourists in First Four Months of 2025
Türkiye attracted 10.59 million foreign visitors between January and April 2025, according to data released today by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Hilton Named #1 Best Workplace in Vietnam for 2025
Global hospitality leader Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has been named the No. 1 Best Workplace in Vietnam™ 2025 in the medium-sized company category by Great Place to Work®, marking its first time at the top spot in the country.
Moldova to Host the 46th World Congress of Vine and Wine
The Country with the Highest Vineyard Density Per Capita.
Marella Cruises Unveils Winter 2026 Itineraries
Marella Cruises, the UK cruise line of TUI, has announced its winter 2026 programme, featuring an exciting mix of brand-new ports of call and long-awaited returns to popular destinations.
IHG Hotels & Resorts and Singapore Airlines Partner to Empower SMEs Across Asia-Pacific
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have launched a strategic partnership to support the growth and mobility of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Asia-Pacific region.
Spanish Government Reaffirms Commitment to Social Sustainability and Digitalisation
Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism, today reiterated the government’s strong commitment to the social sustainability of the tourism sector, describing it as an immense industry undergoing rapid and continuous transformation.
‘Tout à fait Thaï 2025’ Festival in Paris Attracts 10,000 Visitors
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) celebrated the success of the “Tout à fait Thaï 2025” festival in Paris, which welcomed over 10,000 visitors to the Parc de Bagatelle on 24–25 May.
South Africa’s Travel & Tourism Sector Set to Reach Record Employment in 2025
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced that South Africa’s Travel & Tourism sector is on course to achieve a historic employment milestone in 2025, with job numbers projected to exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Riyadh Air and Saudi Ministry of Culture Unite to Showcase National Heritage through Air Travel
Riyadh Air has signed a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Culture to make authentic Saudi heritage a core feature of its passenger experience.
UN Tourism and FAO Launch Sustainable Gastronomy Tourism Initiative in Pacific Island States
A new joint project by UN Tourism, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat at FAO, and the Pacific Tourism Organization (SPTO) aims to connect agrifood systems with tourism in seven Pacific Small Island Developing States (SIDS), promoting inclusive grow
Chiang Mai: San Kamphaeng Hot Springs Transformed by Light and Imagination
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) unveils Onsen@Sankamphaeng, a radiant nighttime experience blending digital art, cultural storytelling, and natural wonder.
Four Seasons Yachts Unveils Marina Day Experience, Redefining Luxury at Sea
Innovative design, Riviera-inspired elegance, and bespoke sea-level adventures set to debut aboard Four Seasons I in 2026
Thailand Launches ‘Sawasdee Nihao’ Initiative to Celebrate 50 Years of Thai–Chinese Relations
High-profile campaign marks diplomatic milestone and repositions Thailand as a premium, sustainable destination for Chinese travellers
Delta Launches New Nonstop Service from Boston to Barcelona
Enhanced transatlantic access brings travelers closer to the heart of Catalonia
