Airline · AZ
Ita Airways
Italy
Anna Zvereva — CC BY-SA 2.0
History
The Story of Ita Airways
In the autumn of 2020, against the backdrop of a turbulent global health crisis, a brand-new airline emerged in Italy under the corporate name Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A. Founded by the Italian government to take over operations from its long-struggling predecessor Alitalia, the newly formed company faced the formidable task of rewriting the playbook for Italian commercial aviation. Alitalia had spent decades weighed down by financial restructuring, ownership shuffles, and chronic unprofitability. When Alitalia officially ceased operations, the fresh enterprise stepped in, acquiring select assets, a portion of the older aircraft fleet, and a determination to create a cleaner, financially viable business model.
Operations officially commenced in October 2021. Passengers stepping onto the early flights encountered a transitional look: while planes initially wore simplified white liveries, a distinct shade of metallic blue was soon introduced alongside the traditional Italian tricolor bands on the tail, honoring the nation's cultural identity while signaling a clean break from the past. Right from the start, leadership recognized that survival depended on shedding inefficient, fuel-heavy jets. The airline immediately laid out plans for a major fleet overhaul, placing large orders for modern Airbus aircraft designed to burn less fuel and cut down carbon emissions significantly.
As the network stabilized across domestic and European routes, management focused on building long-haul muscle, connecting Rome to major financial and cultural centers across North and South America, Africa, and Asia. Yet, running an independent medium-sized carrier in Europe is notoriously difficult. To secure its long-term future, the company pursued a strategic partnership with the Lufthansa Group, leading the Italian government to agree to a gradual sale of shares to the German aviation giant. This industrial alignment paved the way for deeper integration into the wider European market.
A major turning point arrived through alliance realignments. After spending its initial years within the SkyTeam alliance, the carrier transitioned out of that group to join Star Alliance, aligning its frequent flyer framework with international partners like Lufthansa. Today, positioned with a young and modern fleet of Airbus jets, the airline operates as Italy's primary flag carrier, balancing heavy business traffic with vital leisure routes while attempting to run a profitable operation under joint state and corporate ownership.
Network & Fleet
Where Ita Airways Flies Today
Hubs and network
A hub is an airport that an airline uses as a central switching station to route passengers from various points to their final destinations. Instead of flying every small city directly to every other city, passengers fly from a regional airport into the hub, where they connect to a larger aircraft heading across continents. The main hub for the airline is Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport outside Rome, complemented by a key focus city at Milan Linate Airport. The network spans over 70 destinations, blending short-haul domestic hops across Italy with medium-haul European services and long-haul intercontinental flights spanning North America, South America, and Asia. Notable long-haul routes link Rome directly to financial hubs like New York, Tokyo, and Buenos Aires.The fleet
The airline operates a uniform fleet consisting entirely of Airbus aircraft, a strategy that simplifies maintenance, crew training, and scheduling. For short regional hops and domestic routes, it relies on the Airbus A220 family, which features quiet cabins and efficient regional performance. For medium-haul European flights, the single-aisle Airbus A320neo and A321neo families do the heavy lifting, offering improved fuel burn and updated interiors. For long-haul intercontinental routes, the airline deploys widebody aircraft (larger twin-aisle planes designed for long ocean crossings), specifically the Airbus A330-900neo and the larger Airbus A350-900. These widebody types provide the range and passenger capacity required to make long international journeys viable.Branding
Livery & Visual Identity
Upon its launch in 2021, ITA Airways discarded the traditional Alitalia color scheme in favor of a distinct identity designed to project national prestige. The primary fuselage paint was shifted to a deep metallic royal blue (blu di Savoia), abandoning the classic white fuselage with green cheatlines. The vertical stabilizer features a stylized tricolor gradient version of the Italian flag arranged in horizontal stripes, coupled with a simplified white corporate logo painted across the forward section of the fuselage.
The visual branding underwent minor refinements as the fleet expanded to include modern widebody aircraft like the Airbus A350 and A330neo, but the core royal blue motif has remained the defining signature of the airline. This design philosophy sharply breaks from decades of Italian aviation heritage associated with Alitalia's historical aesthetics, prioritizing a contemporary, premium corporate image.
Travel Guide
Flying With Ita Airways
Flying with the airline offers a modern onboard experience, particularly on its newer generation aircraft which feature ambient cabin lighting, personal touchscreen entertainment systems, and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity. Depending on the route length, travelers can select from multiple travel classes, including Economy, Premium Economy, and lie-flat Business Class cabins equipped with direct aisle access. On short-haul European flights, standard economy tickets generally include a personal item and a carry-on bag, while checked luggage, seat selection, and higher-tier flexibility options require an additional fee. For loyalty rewards, the airline runs its own frequent flyer programme called Volare, allowing members to earn points toward status tiers and award flights. Because baggage dimensions, fare rules, and ancillary fees frequently update, passengers should check the official website for current details before traveling.
A practical tip for travelers connecting through the Rome Fiumicino hub is to allow ample time for terminal transfers, especially when switching between domestic Schengen gates and international non-Schengen departures. Additionally, downloading the mobile app ahead of time helps track gate changes and manage digital boarding passes smoothly.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns ITA Airways?
The airline is jointly owned by the Italian government, via the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the German aviation enterprise Lufthansa Group.
Which global airline alliance does ITA Airways belong to?
The airline is a member of Star Alliance, having transitioned into the group following its integration partnership with the Lufthansa Group.
What do the letters in the airline's IATA code 'AZ' represent?
The two-letter code 'AZ' was inherited directly from its predecessor, Alitalia, preserving a historic identifier long associated with Italian civil aviation.
What is the name of the airline's frequent flyer loyalty program?
The loyalty program is called Volare, where members earn points based on flights and spending to unlock exclusive club tiers and travel benefits.
Does ITA Airways fly long-haul routes to Asia?
Yes, the carrier operates long-haul flights from its Rome hub to key Asian destinations, including direct services to Tokyo.
Plan Your Trip
