ITA Airways has received official approval for a new codeshare agreement with United Airlines, a move set to significantly expand travel options for passengers across both sides of the Atlantic.
According to aviationa2z.com, this move follows a similar partnership with Air Canada (AC) and reinforces ITA’s push toward full Star Alliance membership.
Both carriers can now place their designator codes on each other’s flights, covering routes between the European Union, including Italy, and the United States (US). The deal received the green light from the US Department of Transportation on August 5.
ITA Airways Codeshare Deal with United
The new codeshare agreement with United Airlines comes as ITA Airways prepares for deeper integration into Star Alliance and the Lufthansa Group. The approval allows ITA to display United’s UA code on its transatlantic services, while United gains reciprocal access to ITA’s European network. This development follows the July codeshare announcement between ITA and Air Canada. That partnership not only enables codesharing but also includes plans to roll out reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, such as mileage earning and redemption. The broader goal is clear: align ITA Airways more closely with Star Alliance members ahead of its planned admission into the alliance.
By building operational synergies and cross-alliance connectivity, ITA positions itself as a more viable long-haul player within Europe and a stronger competitor in the transatlantic market.
Expanded Route Access for Passengers
Through the United partnership, ITA Airways can now offer passengers access to dozens of North American destinations from United’s US hubs. Similarly, United passengers will be able to book codeshare flights to major European cities through ITA’s Rome Fiumicino (FCO) hub. In the case of the Air Canada deal, passengers arriving in Rome can connect onward to ten cities across Italy, Africa, Israel, and Albania. Conversely, ITA Airways customers landing in Toronto (YYZ) will benefit from seamless connections to key cities across Canada and the United States.
The move supports Lufthansa Group’s broader strategy of aligning its European affiliates—ITA included—under a shared alliance and commercial model.
Expanding Codeshare with Lufthansa
ITA Airways (AZ) has expanded its intercontinental codeshare network in partnership with Lufthansa Group (LH), adding new destinations in Africa and Asia. The tickets are now on sale for travel starting September 2. This updated agreement allows passengers of both carriers to access more long-haul routes under a single ticket, including connections via Rome Fiumicino (FCO), Frankfurt (FRA), and Munich (MUC) to cities like Delhi (DEL), Mumbai (BOM), Nairobi (NBO), and Seoul (ICN).
Broader Global Access Through New Codeshare Routes
This is the second phase of the long-haul codeshare rollout between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group Airlines, following the earlier launch of joint routes to key African and Asian markets. Under the agreement, ITA Airways (AZ) passengers now have access to Lufthansa Group-operated flights from Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC) to:
- Delhi (DEL)
- Mumbai (BOM)
- Seoul (ICN)
Simultaneously, Lufthansa Group passengers can book ITA Airways flights from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to:
- Accra (ACC)
- Dakar (DSS)
- Delhi (DEL)
Previously introduced codeshare routes allowed ITA passengers to reach African cities such as Abidjan (ABJ), Douala (DLA), Freetown (FNA), Monrovia (ROB), Nairobi (NBO), and Ouagadougou (OUA) via Brussels Airport (BRU). Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group customers gained access to destinations like Bangkok (BKK), Jeddah (JED), Cairo (CAI), Riyadh (RUH), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), and São Paulo (GRU) through connections at Rome Fiumicino (FCO).
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Strengthened Partnership and Frequent Flyer Perks
This extended cooperation not only improves route coverage but also makes the passenger experience more seamless. Travelers benefit from a single ticket for multi-leg journeys across both carriers’ networks. The deal also maintains reciprocal benefits in their loyalty programs — ITA’s Volare and Lufthansa Group’s Miles & More — allowing customers to earn and redeem points across either airline.
The agreement enhances connectivity between Italy and critical markets in Africa and Asia, offering more efficient transfer options and coordinated schedules through key European hubs. It marks another step in the growing alignment between ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group, ahead of any deeper integration following Lufthansa’s expected investment in ITA.
