ITA Airways Joins Lufthansa-ANA Europe-Japan Joint Venture Starting Autumn 2026

A New Player in the Europe-Japan Route Network

ITA Airways, Italy’s flag carrier, will join the existing Europe-Japan joint venture between Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways (ANA) starting autumn 2026. The move comes as Lufthansa completed its acquisition of ITA Airways earlier this year, folding the Italian carrier into its broader alliance strategy.

For travelers, this means smoother connections between Italy and Japan, with better schedule coordination, integrated booking, and potentially more competitive pricing across the expanded network. The joint venture allows the three airlines to coordinate routes, schedules, and pricing as a single entity on Europe-Japan routes, rather than competing independently.

What Changes for Passengers

Joint ventures differ from standard codeshare agreements—they involve deeper commercial integration. Passengers booking through any of the three carriers will have access to a wider range of flight options with seamless connections. If you’re flying from Rome to Tokyo, for instance, you might book an ITA Airways ticket but connect through Frankfurt or Munich on a Lufthansa flight, all priced and scheduled as one itinerary.

The partnership also means reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. Miles earned on ITA Airways flights to Japan can be credited to Lufthansa’s Miles & More program or ANA’s Mileage Club, and vice versa. Lounge access, priority boarding, and baggage allowances become more consistent across the three carriers.

Why This Matters Now

Italy has historically had limited direct connectivity to Japan compared to northern European hubs. Alitalia, ITA’s predecessor, struggled to maintain consistent long-haul service before its collapse. By joining Lufthansa and ANA’s established venture, ITA gains access to proven routes and operational expertise without bearing the full risk of launching solo Japan services.

For Indian travelers, this is relevant if you’re routing through Europe to reach Japan. Rome’s Fiumicino Airport becomes a more viable connection point, particularly if you’re combining a European stopover with onward travel to Tokyo, Osaka, or other Japanese cities as many travelers do.

The Bigger Picture: Airline Alliances in Flux

Joint ventures have become the preferred model for long-haul partnerships in recent years, offering more flexibility than traditional alliances while stopping short of full mergers. Lufthansa already operates similar arrangements with United Airlines on transatlantic routes and Air Canada on North America-Europe flights.

ANA, a member of the Star Alliance alongside Lufthansa, has been steadily expanding its European reach after recovering from pandemic-era capacity cuts. Adding ITA to the mix gives the Japanese carrier better access to southern European markets, including popular destinations like Rome, Milan, and Naples.

The autumn 2026 timeline suggests the three airlines are taking time to align schedules, integrate booking systems, and obtain regulatory approvals. Joint ventures often require antitrust immunity from competition authorities, a process that can take months or longer.

What to Watch For

Expect more details on specific routes and frequencies as the launch date approaches. ITA is likely to increase its Japan-bound services from Rome and possibly Milan, while Lufthansa may adjust its own Frankfurt and Munich schedules to avoid overlap. Fare sales around the launch period are common as airlines seek to fill seats and build awareness.

If you’re planning a trip to Japan in late 2026 or beyond, keep an eye on ITA’s route announcements. The carrier’s integration into a larger network could make Italy a more attractive gateway for travelers routing from India or the Middle East, particularly if you want to spend a few days exploring Rome or the Italian coast before heading east, much like travelers do with hotel brands that encourage city exploration.

For now, existing Lufthansa-ANA joint venture routes remain unchanged. The partnership has been operating since 2012, covering flights between Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, and Japan. Italy’s addition marks the first major expansion in over a decade, signaling confidence in post-pandemic travel demand between Europe and Asia.