ITA Airways, or Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A., is Italy's flag carrier, established in November 2020 as the successor to the former national airline, Alitalia. The airline commenced operations on October 15, 2021. It is co-owned by the Italian government, through the Ministry of Economy and Finance (59%), and the Lufthansa Group (41%). ITA Airways aims to redefine the Italian aviation industry with a focus on sustainability, customer experience, and financial stability.
The primary operational base for ITA Airways is Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO), which serves as its main hub for both domestic and international connections. Milan Linate Airport (LIN) acts as a focus city, primarily handling short and medium-haul European flights. The airline's route network encompasses over 70 scheduled domestic, European, and intercontinental destinations across Italy, Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, and South America, with plans to expand to 74 destinations and 89 routes by 2025.
ITA Airways operates an all-Airbus fleet, which, as of June 2025, consists of 103 aircraft. This includes narrow-body aircraft such as the Airbus A319, A320, A320neo, A321neo, A220-100, and A220-300, as well as wide-body aircraft like the A330-200, A330-900neo, and A350-900. The airline is actively modernizing its fleet, with over 60% being next-generation aircraft and a target to upgrade 90% to new-generation models by the end of its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. ITA Airways was a member of the SkyTeam alliance from 2021 until April 30, 2025. It is slated to officially join the Star Alliance as a full member in the first half of 2026, as part of its integration into the Lufthansa Group. The airline offers various cabin classes, including Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class on long-haul international flights, with a "Superior" class also available on domestic routes. Business Class on long-haul flights features lie-flat seats, and passengers across all cabins receive complimentary meals, beverages, in-flight Wi-Fi, bedding, and seatback entertainment on longer routes.
Traveler reviews for ITA Airways present a mixed, but generally positive, picture, with an average rating of 6.9/10 on Flight-report.
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Overall, traveler sentiment suggests that ITA Airways offers a competitive product on its newer long-haul fleet and in premium cabins, which is often praised for its comfort and service quality. However, the airline faces challenges in maintaining consistent service standards, particularly regarding customer support during disruptions and the quality of experience on older aircraft.
ITA Airways maintains a strong safety record, reflected in its 7/7 safety rating from Airline Ratings. The airline is not included in the EU Air Safety List, indicating it meets European safety standards.
While ITA Airways generally upholds high safety standards, a few notable incidents have occurred since its inception. On June 17, 2022, ITA Airways Flight 611, an Airbus A330-200, was involved in a ground collision with an Air France Boeing 777-200ER at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), prompting an inspection by the Federal Aviation Administration. Another widely reported incident on May 1, 2022, involved ITA Airways Flight AZ609 from New York to Rome, where both pilots reportedly fell asleep, causing a temporary loss of communication with air traffic control; the captain was subsequently dismissed. More recently, on November 2, 2023, an ITA Airways Airbus A319-100 experienced an engine failure near Rome. An incident on October 31, 2025, involved an ITA Airbus A330-900 making an incorrect turn on departure from Los Angeles, leading to a loss of separation. Additionally, an ongoing issue since late 2023 has seen 22 ITA Airways aircraft (Airbus A220, A320neo, and A321neo) grounded due to recalls of Pratt & Whitney GTF turbofans affected by production defects.
ITA Airways is actively modernizing its fleet to enhance both efficiency and safety. As of April 2024, the average age of its fleet has decreased from 12.5 to 8.4 years, with over 50% consisting of new-generation Airbus models. The airline aims for 90% of its fleet to be new-generation by the end of its 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This ongoing investment in newer, more technologically advanced aircraft contributes positively to its overall safety profile. The company also states that meticulous attention to service quality, fleet maintenance and passenger assistance makes it Italy's leading airline.
Overall, ITA Airways maintains a strong safety assessment with a top rating from Airline Ratings and compliance with EU safety regulations. The fleet modernization program indicates a commitment to operational excellence and environmental sustainability. While not a safety award *per se*, the airline received a Four-Star rating from Skytrax for the quality of its airport and onboard product and staff service in June 2024. It was also recognized as a top airline in the 2024 Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards.
Airline statistics are based on flight route observations collected from FlightAware AeroAPI and other sources. Flight counts represent observed operations, not scheduled frequencies. Route data is continuously updated as new flight information becomes available.