The Runway Lounge at Milan Linate Airport is ready to welcome travelers once again, as ITA Airways unveils its newly redesigned space on May 15, 2025. The transformation reflects the airline’s commitment to combining efficiency with elegance, offering a fresh and immersive passenger experience grounded in Italian heritage and innovation.
A Celebration of Italian Identity
The new Runway Lounge represents more than just a pre-flight retreat—it’s a space designed to embody Made in Italy values. Conceived through the branding expertise of Robilant Associati, the lounge integrates traditional Italian aesthetics with a modern travel ethos. Everything from the materials and lighting to the layout and services is crafted to reflect Italy’s culture, elegance, and craftsmanship.
“One of ITA Airways’ core principles is its focus on the passenger,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Director of ITA Airways. “From day one, we’ve aimed to offer high-quality service that meets every client’s need. The reopening of the Runway Lounge reinforces Milan Linate’s strategic role in our growth.”
The name “Runway” plays on a dual concept—symbolizing both the airport runway and Milan’s world-renowned fashion runways, creating a space where travel and style converge seamlessly.
Strategic Location and Design
The Runway Lounge is located near gates A17 and A21 at Milan Linate Airport, serving both departing and connecting passengers. Spanning 482 square meters and accommodating up to 125 guests, the lounge is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. It is the first ITA Airways lounge to feature the new “Member of Lufthansa Group” endorsement, highlighting the airline’s evolving partnerships.
Guests will find three distinct zones within the lounge:
- Food area: Offering premium Italian culinary experiences, including coffee and aperitivo stations.
- Relaxation space: Featuring comfortable seating and ambient lighting.
- Business area: Equipped with workstations, phone booths, and fast Wi-Fi.
Partners in Italian Excellence
The design and services in the Runway Lounge are elevated through collaborations with iconic Italian brands:
- Campari Group: Hosts the signature “Campari Wall” and debuts the exclusive RUNWAY SHAKERATO cocktail—a modern take on the classic Milanese Campari Shakerato.
- illycaffè: Delivers premium espresso at the lounge’s bar, marked by the brand’s iconic silver jar and sustainable values.
- iGuzzini: Enhances the ambiance with high-tech, energy-efficient lighting solutions, including recessed fixtures and Sapphire-finished floor lights matching ITA Airways’ brand colors.
- Poltrona Frau: Furnishes the Silent Room with luxurious chaise lounges and signature armchairs like the Archibald and Martha, all inspired by aircraft cockpit design.
Who Can Access the Lounge?
Access to the Runway Lounge is offered to a variety of eligible passengers, including:
- Business Class passengers on ITA Airways or other Lufthansa Group airlines
- Executive and Premium members of ITA Airways’ Volare program
- HON Circle and Senator Miles&More members
- Star Alliance Gold Card holders flying with a Lufthansa Group airline
- American Express Gold or Platinum members traveling on an ITA Airways flight
- Frequent Flyer Partners of ITA Airways
A Stylish Gateway to a Global Network
Milan Linate Airport continues to serve as a vital hub for both business and leisure travel. From here, passengers can reach 27 destinations directly or connect via Rome Fiumicino to any of ITA Airways’ 16 intercontinental routes. With 1.25 million passengers departing from Linate in the first quarter of 2025 alone, ITA Airways is positioning itself as a major player in European and international travel.
The reopening of the Runway Lounge is part of the airline’s broader effort to elevate passenger experience through design, comfort, and Italian sophistication—turning waiting time into an authentic, relaxing moment steeped in national identity.
