What happened
ITA Airways officially joined Star Alliance on April 1, 2026, completing its transition from SkyTeam. The move follows Lufthansa Group's acquisition of a 41% stake in the Italian carrier. As part of this integration, ITA Airways has adopted Lufthansa Group’s Miles&More as its primary frequent flyer program, phasing out its own Volare program. Existing Volare members have a limited window to use points before expiration. The airline will begin offering Miles&More elite and HON Circle qualifying benefits on its flights starting February 15, 2025, with full elite benefits on Lufthansa Group airlines beginning July 1, 2025. This alliance change significantly impacts frequent flyers by expanding ITA's network connectivity within Star Alliance, allowing for seamless earning and redemption of miles across the alliance's extensive route map, including key Italian hubs like Rome Fiumicino