DALLAS — Lufthansa Group has formally begun integrating ITA Airways (AZ) into its network, offering passengers immediate benefits.

The first steps in the merger are combining frequent flyer programs, terminal changes, mutual lounge access, and an increase in codeshare agreements. 

During a joint press conference in Rome, Deutsche Lufthansa AG CEO Carsten Spohr, AZ Chairman Sandro Pappalardo, and AZ CEO Joerg Eberhart outlined the first benefits customers will receive.

Frequent Flyer Benefits Across Both Networks

From today on, 36 million Miles & More members can collect and redeem miles on all AZ flights, while 2.7 million members of the AZ Volare program can collect and spend points on flights operated by Lufthansa (LH), SWISS (LX), Austrian Airlines (OS), and Brussels Airlines (SN). This will enhance the flexibility of the loyalty programs for travelers across both airline networks.

From March 30, 2025, AZ will move its operations to Terminal 1 at Frankfurt (FRA) and Terminal 2 at Munich (MUC) and, consequently, will coordinate with LH's hub operation. This should benefit passenger transfers and reduce connection times while combining services. 

Other major hubs, such as Rome-Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan-Linate (LIN), host AZ and LH Group airlines in the same terminal areas, facilitating smoother passenger transfers.

Effective 30 March, AZ passengers will have access to about 130 lounges throughout the LH Group network and its partners, and LH Group customers will enjoy lounge access with AZ. 

Thus, both airline companies will make premium travel a seamless experience for their regular passengers by creating greater consistency of services across networks to which frequent travelers are accustomed.

Expanded Codeshare

Starting with the summer schedule, AZ will expand over 100 new codeshare connections within the LH Group network. Codeshare agreements allow passengers to book one itinerary that covers a journey through multiple air carriers, offering greater flexibility and expanded possibilities for traveling across Europe. 

By rolling out fully, AZ passengers will also benefit from the more than 250 destination airports offered by LH, LX, OS, and SN.

This means LH Group customers will have internal connectivity extended in Italy to reach areas such as Sicily, Sardinia, Calabria, and Puglia. Codeshare flights with smaller planes will be available for booking from February 25 on all global channels, from online to the mobile apps of both lines.

Flight Schedules Between Major Hubs

Properly synchronizing flight schedules between LH Group hubs FRA, MUC, Zurich ZRH, Vienna (VIE), and Brussels (BRU) will contribute to optimized connectivity. 

Departure times of the connections will be adjusted to decrease layovers and make transfers more efficient. Customer connections to long-haul destinations in the Americas, Africa, and Asia will be improved.

From SkyTeam to Star Alliance

ITA Airways has officially started withdrawing from SkyTeam and intends to join the world's biggest airline alliance, Star Alliance, by the first half of 2026. 

This transition will allow AZ passengers to enjoy all the advantages of Star Alliance, including a more significant global network, premium services, and loyalty benefits, to enhance their travels. The key operational alignments will be executed before official accession is underway.

The Italian flag carrier and Lufthansa Cargo will expand their cooperation in addition to passenger operations. This summer, they will launch initial joint airfreight offerings on selected routes, boosting both carriers' logistics capability. 

The intention is to optimize cargo capacity utilization and improve the connectivity of freight networks worldwide.

Comments from Lufthansa CEO

Carsten Spohr highlighted the importance of the merger at the press event, saying:

“Now that AZ has become part of our family of airlines, we want to drive forward with the merger promptly so that AZ and its customers, as well as our other passenger airlines' guests, will quickly feel the benefits of the expanded Lufthansa Group. We also expect AZ to be profitable again this year. In summary, today is when a success story for customers, employees, and shareholders of AZ and LH Group starts.”

This is the most significant integration AZ has undertaken within LH Group in Europe. It will enhance the German airline group's position in Italy while improving connectivity for travelers worldwide. 

Furthermore, this merger will bring significant advantages for passengers through enhanced frequent flyer benefits, airport efficiency, and expanded codeshare options. AZ customers will be fully integrated into the LH Group network as the transition unfolds, making travel across Europe and beyond more seamless than ever.

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