ITA Airways A321neo Takes Flight in Star Alliance Livery

Fresh Out of Finkenwerder

D-AZYZ lifted off from Hamburg Finkenwerder this morning for its very first factory test flight—a brand-new Airbus A321neo bound for ITA Airways, wrapped in full Star Alliance livery. Aviation watchers were tracking the airframe closely. Not just for the fresh paint job, but because the jet had raised a few eyebrows on the runway less than 24 hours earlier.

At 12:31 p.m. yesterday, Airbus put the aircraft through a high-speed Rejected Take Off, a standard test that slams on the brakes under heavy loads to make sure the systems hold up. Everything checked out. Engineers cleared the airframe, and today's maiden flight went off without a hitch as the Italian carrier preps its new narrowbody for commercial service.

From German Test Plates to Italian Tail Numbers

Those temporary German test plates won't stay on long. Air Lease Corporation is supplying the aircraft under a lease agreement, and as soon as factory testing wraps up and delivery paperwork is signed, the temporary markings come off.

In their place, the jet gets re-registered as EI-HXI under standard Italian markings. ITA plans to deploy the narrowbody on medium-to-long-haul routes, fitted with its newest cabin design, updated seating, and modern in-flight entertainment.

Why That Star Alliance Paint Job Matters

Seeing an ITA plane wear Star Alliance colors points directly to the shifting alignments across European skies. Ever since ITA launched from Alitalia's remains, competitors and frequent flyers have been watching its next move—and this livery choice carries real strategic weight.

Once the final regulatory sign-offs clear in Hamburg, the A321neo heads south to its home base in Italy. Passengers can expect to see it operating key regional routes soon after, showing off both the new paint job and the fresh interior.