ITA Airways and United Airlines have launched a new codeshare agreement to expand travel options between Italy and the United States. Tickets under the agreement are available beginning September 9 for travel starting September 15, offering passengers enhanced connectivity and more seamless travel across both carriers’ networks.
The partnership is part of ITA Airways’ strategy to strengthen its long-haul operations and broaden access to intercontinental destinations from its Rome Fiumicino hub. For United Airlines, the agreement deepens its longstanding presence in the Italian market, where it has served for more than three decades with nonstop flights to multiple U.S. destinations.
Expanded Network and Market Strategy
The agreement enables ITA Airways customers to purchase single tickets covering flights operated by United, which will now carry the AZ code. United Airlines customers will have reciprocal benefits on ITA Airways-operated flights under the UA code. The arrangement is designed to simplify ticketing and improve connections for passengers traveling between Italy, the United States, and onward destinations.
“The codeshare agreement with United Airlines represents a significant step forward in ITA Airways’ strategy to expand its network to new intercontinental destinations,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways. “Through this partnership, we are strengthening our presence in the U.S. market – our second most important after the domestic one – by offering passengers the opportunity to reach additional destinations in the United States via connections granted by our new important partner, United Airlines, and we will be happy to carry American passengers on our flights from Rome Fiumicino to Italian and international destinations.”
United Airlines said the partnership will support growth in demand for transatlantic travel. “United has served Italy for over 33 years and today offers nonstop services from Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice and Palermo to the U.S.,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President, Global Network Planning and Alliances. “ITA Airways and United share a commitment to offering our customers more choices, more destinations, and more opportunities to explore – and with this new loyalty and codeshare cooperation, our customers will benefit from even greater connectivity and a more seamless travel experience when traveling on each other’s networks.”
Seamless Travel and Loyalty Benefits
The codeshare includes mutual recognition of frequent flyer programs. ITA Airways’ Volare members and United Airlines’ MileagePlus members will be able to earn and redeem points across both networks. Eligible passengers will also gain access to lounges, depending on their membership tier, adding to the integration of services.
For ITA Airways passengers, the deal opens new travel opportunities in the United States, including Dallas, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, and Newark. These destinations complement ITA Airways’ existing U.S. schedule covering Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington. United Airlines customers will gain more options for travel across Italy and Europe, including connections to Bari, Bologna, Florence, Catania, and Turin, in addition to access through Rome and Milan.
The codeshare agreement is aligned with ITA Airways’ plan to join Star Alliance in 2026, following its ongoing integration into the Lufthansa Group. The move is expected to reinforce the airline’s international presence and broaden access to key markets. Both carriers described the agreement as a long-term step to build transatlantic cooperation and respond to increasing demand for global connectivity.
Through the cooperation, both airlines expect to attract international travelers seeking streamlined ticketing, loyalty benefits, and improved access to major hubs. The agreement highlights continued growth in the Italy–U.S. market, one of the busiest transatlantic travel corridors.
