ITA Airways vs Lufthansa 2026: New Italian Flag vs German Legacy

Fees, policies, and figures in this comparison reflect what we verified as of Oct 2026 and can change afterward. Our live tools and the data behind them are re-verified more often than the written comparison.

ITA Airways and Lufthansa are now both inside the Lufthansa Group. The German group took a 41 percent stake in ITA in January 2025 and in June 2026 exercised its option to raise that to 90 percent for 325 million euros, with closing expected in early 2027 pending European Commission and US Department of Justice approval. ITA is a majority Lufthansa Group carrier being integrated into the group, not an independent airline. The two still operate as separate brands with distinct fleets and fare structures. Since April 2026 they share an alliance too: ITA joined Star Alliance, where Lufthansa is the flagship carrier alongside United, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, ANA, and 20+ partners.

The route overlap is meaningful: both airlines fly transatlantic from US gateways to Europe, both compete on intra-European short-haul, and both have similar fare-class structures (Economy Light, Classic, Flex, Premium Economy, Business). The structural differences are hub geography (Rome FCO vs Frankfurt FRA + Munich MUC), and the Allegris business class product that Lufthansa is rolling out across its A350 fleet through 2026.

For US-Italy travelers, ITA is usually the better choice as the only nonstop Italian flag option. For US-anywhere-else-in-Europe or onward Star Alliance connections, Lufthansa’s two-hub network and global partners win.

What We Looked For

• Fare-class structure and bag bundling, especially the Economy Light differences
• Cabin bag dimensions and weight, both 55x40x23 cm at 8 kg, enforced at the gate
• Business class hard product, comparing Lufthansa Allegris (Suite enclosed pods) to ITA’s reverse-herringbone
• Network reach and US gateway coverage
• Loyalty program, now shared: both airlines sit in Star Alliance and use Miles & More
• The Lufthansa Group ownership stake and what it might mean for future integration

Which airline charges less for bags, ITA or Lufthansa?

Both include the cabin bag on Light fares. The personal item limit is identical. Neither airline’s Economy Light includes a checked bag. ITA’s Premium Economy bundle is the more generous one.

Carry-on. ITA: 55x40x23 cm (21.7x15.7x9 in), 8 kg, free on every fare. Lufthansa: 55x40x23 cm (21.7x15.7x9.1 in), 8 kg, free on every fare. The two are effectively identical, so a hard-shell roller built to the standard 40 cm cabin width fits both. Both enforce the 8 kg weight limit at European gates.

Personal item. ITA: 40x30x15 cm (15.7x11.8x5.9 in). Lufthansa: 40x30x15 cm (15.7x11.8x5.9 in). Same box on both, and the 15 cm depth on either airline catches travelers with even moderately-thick laptop bags.

Checked bags. ITA: Economy Light 0 included (EUR 60-130 add-on per segment), Economy Classic 1x23 kg, Premium Economy 2x23 kg, Business 2x32 kg. Lufthansa: Economy Light 0 included on transatlantic and intra-Europe routes, Economy Classic/Flex 1x23 kg, Premium Economy 1x23 kg, Business 2x32 kg.

On transatlantic Light fares the two are level: neither includes a checked bag, so if you plan to check one, add the bag fee to either fare before comparing. On ITA that is EUR 60-130 per segment; on Lufthansa a first bag costs USD 90 each way on flights to or from the USA and Canada. Lufthansa’s one carve-out is for HON Circle, Senator and Star Alliance Gold members, who may take one free piece on intercontinental Light.

Premium Economy bags. This is where ITA wins clearly: ITA Premium Economy includes 2x23 kg checked bags, Lufthansa Premium Economy includes 1x23 kg. For travelers who need extra checked allowance, ITA’s bundle is more generous.

Winner: Personal item size

Tie / both 40x30x15 cm

Winner: Cabin bag width

Tie / both 55x40x23 cm; fit standard hard-shell rollers

Winner: Transatlantic Light bag

Tie / Neither Light fare includes a checked bag; ITA charges EUR 60-130 to add one

Winner: Premium Economy bag allowance

ITA / 2x23 kg vs Lufthansa 1x23 kg

Is ITA’s reverse-herringbone business seat a match for Lufthansa’s Allegris Suite?

Not quite: ITA’s 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone is competitive, but Allegris adds a front-row Suite with a sliding door.

Lufthansa Allegris is the new (rolling out through 2026) business class hard product with five seat types including a front-row Suite that is enclosed with a sliding door for the most personal space. ITA Airways business class is a competitive but not class-leading 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone lie-flat.

Lufthansa Allegris launched on select A350-900 aircraft from Munich and has been flying on new Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Frankfurt since October 2025, with the rollout continuing across both fleets through 2026. The hard product has five business seat types:

• Classic: aisle-side lie-flat with a privacy screen
• Privacy: set farther from the aisle for more seclusion
• Extra Space: more room and additional storage
• Extra Long Bed: a fully flat bed up to 2.20 m (7 ft 2 in) for taller passengers
• Suite: the front-row flagship, enclosed with a raised partition and a door for the most personal space

Round-trip transatlantic Lufthansa Allegris typically runs EUR 3,500-7,000+ depending on city pair and Suite availability. Lufthansa First Class continues on select A380 and 747-8 routes with even higher fares.

ITA Airways business class on A350-900 and A330-900neo widebodies is a standard 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone lie-flat product, competitive on basic comfort but without the door, ottoman, or enclosed pod features of Allegris Suite. Round-trip transatlantic ITA Business typically runs EUR 2,500-5,000.

For travelers comparing premium cabin specifically, Lufthansa Allegris Suite is the meaningful upgrade on transatlantic routes if it is available on your specific aircraft. ITA Business is the value choice and still a true lie-flat with direct aisle access.

Winner: Business class hard product (Suite)

Lufthansa / Allegris Suite enclosed pod; ITA has no equivalent

Winner: Business class value

ITA / EUR 2,500-5,000 transatlantic vs Lufthansa's EUR 3,500-7,000+

Winner: First Class

Lufthansa / Lufthansa First Class on select routes; ITA has no First

Does ITA or Lufthansa fly from more US gateways?

Lufthansa’s two-hub network (Frankfurt + Munich) plus Star Alliance partners covers far more US gateways than ITA. ITA is the only nonstop Italian flag carrier from US to Rome.

Lufthansa serves a long list of US gateways across its two-hub network: JFK, EWR, BOS, IAD, MIA, FLL, MCO, ORD, MSP, DEN, IAH, DFW, LAX, SFO, SAN, SEA, and seasonal cities. Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC connect to virtually every meaningful European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern destination via Lufthansa metal plus Star Alliance partners (United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, and 15+ others).

ITA Airways flies nonstop to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) from JFK, BOS, ORD (May to October 2026), IAD, MIA, LAX, SFO, and IAH (Houston, added May 2026). From FCO, ITA’s European network is more limited than Lufthansa’s, with intra-Italy routes plus connections to major European cities.

For US-Italy direct flying, ITA wins. For US-anywhere-else-in-Europe or US-Asia/Africa/Middle East connections, Lufthansa’s hub network is meaningfully larger.

Winner: Direct Italy access from US

ITA / Only nonstop Italian flag carrier

Winner: Global network reach

Lufthansa / Two German hubs + Star Alliance to virtually anywhere

Winner: US gateway count

Lufthansa / Far more US gateways than ITA

Loyalty and alliance: do ITA and Lufthansa share Miles & More?

Yes. Both airlines are Star Alliance members, and since 1 April 2026 ITA uses Miles & More, the same frequent flyer program as Lufthansa. Loyalty no longer splits these two. Hub and cabin do.

ITA joined Star Alliance in April 2026, and on 1 April 2026 Miles & More became its official frequent flyer program. ITA’s Volare status holders were offered a status match. A mile earned on an ITA flight lands in the same Miles & More account as one earned on Lufthansa, and status runs on the same Frequent Traveller, Senator, and HON Circle tiers.

For travelers earning Delta SkyMiles, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, or Korean Air SKYPASS: ITA is not on SkyTeam’s official member list, so check your program’s own partner page before crediting or redeeming an ITA flight.

For travelers earning United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, or ANA Mileage Club: both airlines are Star Alliance options, and Lufthansa has the larger European network. Star Alliance award redemptions on Lufthansa are available through any Star Alliance program.

The loyalty switch came before the ownership deal closed. Lufthansa Group’s move to 90 percent of ITA is still waiting on regulators (closing expected early 2027), yet Miles & More has been ITA’s own program since April.

Winner: Loyalty program

Tie / Both use Miles & More since 1 April 2026

Winner: Reach within Star Alliance

Lufthansa / Both are members; Frankfurt and Munich reach further than Rome

Who should pick ITA Airways

• You are flying nonstop between a US gateway and Rome FCO (the only Italian flag option)
• Premium Economy with 2x23 kg checked bags is the right cabin for your trip
• Business class on a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone is sufficient without needing Allegris Suite
• You want a single-airline Italy-and-back trip without connections

Who should pick Lufthansa

• Your transatlantic destination is anywhere in Europe other than Italy (or Italy via connection)
• Lufthansa Allegris Suite is the right business class upgrade and the route has the Allegris-equipped aircraft
• You need connections to Asia, Africa, or the Middle East through Frankfurt or Munich
• You hold Star Alliance Gold, Senator or HON Circle status, which adds one free checked piece to Lufthansa intercontinental Light fares

The bottom line

ITA Airways and Lufthansa share corporate parentage, with Lufthansa Group moving from its 41 percent stake (January 2025) to 90 percent ownership of ITA (option exercised June 2026, closing expected early 2027), but they still operate as competitors with different network strategies. ITA is the Italian flag carrier and a Star Alliance member since April 2026; Lufthansa is the Star Alliance German flagship. For US-Italy direct travel, ITA is the obvious choice. For everything else, Lufthansa’s two-hub network and 20+ Star Alliance partners give it the broader reach.

As the majority-stake deal closes, the picture is likely to shift further, with cabin product integration and codeshare expansion both plausible. Loyalty is already settled: both airlines use Miles & More. For 2026 bookings, the two airlines remain distinct choices with different hubs.

For travelers who value premium cabin product specifically, Lufthansa Allegris Suite on the A350-900 (rolling out through 2026) is one of the best business class seats in commercial service and meaningfully ahead of ITA’s standard reverse-herringbone product. For Premium Economy travelers, ITA’s 2x23 kg checked allowance is the meaningful advantage.

For more comparisons, see Air France vs Lufthansa and SWISS vs Lufthansa.