ITA Airways Volare Now Gone – Becomes Part Of Miles&More & Star Alliance From April 1, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Volare program ends March 30, 2026
• ITA joins Miles&More and Star Alliance April 1
• Lufthansa holds 41% stake, option for full control
• No automatic points transfer; free tier matching offered
• Members must redeem points before deadline or lose them

Summary

ITA Airways has terminated its Volare frequent‑flyer program as of March 30, 2026, giving members a short window to redeem remaining points. Starting April 1, 2026 the carrier will become a full member of Lufthansa Group’s Miles&More program and join the Star Alliance network. Lufthansa now controls 41% of ITA and holds an option to acquire the remaining Italian‑state shares by the end of 2029, deepening its foothold in the Italian market. Due to Italian law, Volare balances will not be automatically transferred, though Miles&More will match members’ tier status for free.

Pulse Analysis

ITA Airways, the successor to the bankrupt Alitalia, has spent the last few years absorbing billions of euros (roughly $2.2 billion) in public and private capital to rebuild a viable national carrier. The latest milestone is Lufthansa Group’s 41 percent ownership, which includes a call option to purchase the remaining shares by 2029. This stake not only provides financial stability but also aligns ITA with one of Europe’s most powerful airline conglomerates, positioning it for deeper network integration and cost synergies.

The abrupt shutdown of the Volare loyalty program marks a significant shift for frequent‑flyer members who have navigated multiple program changes since Alitalia’s demise. Italian legislation prevents an automatic migration of points to Miles&More, forcing members to either redeem their balances before the March 30 deadline or forfeit them. Lufthansa mitigates the disruption by offering a free tier‑matching service, preserving elite status benefits while encouraging customers to transition to the broader Miles&More ecosystem.

Strategically, ITA’s entry into Miles&More and the Star Alliance expands Lufthansa’s reach into the Italian market, offering passengers seamless access to a 1,000‑plus‑airport network. The consolidation may pressure rival carriers such as TAP Air Portugal, which is also exploring a sale, and could reshape alliance dynamics across Europe. For industry observers, the integration underscores a broader trend of legacy carriers leveraging alliance memberships and loyalty program harmonization to drive revenue growth and customer retention in a post‑pandemic travel landscape.