About ITA Airways
ITA Airways is Italy's flag carrier — a legacy airline that rose from the wreckage of Alitalia when it finally collapsed in 2021 after decades of financial turbulence. Think of it as a reboot rather than a rebrand: same Rome FCO hub, same tricolore on the tail, but with a leaner operation and a genuine attempt to compete seriously in European and long-haul markets. With 186 non-stop routes across 74 airports and a total network spanning over 441,000 km, it punches reasonably well for a carrier of its age. It's not a budget airline, and it's not quite in the same league as Lufthansa or BA yet, but it's finding its footing.
Why fly ITA Airways?
The honest case for ITA comes down to Rome. If you're routing through FCO, you've got 67 routes to choose from, which gives the hub real utility — especially for connecting into southern Europe, the Mediterranean, and transatlantic. The FCO-EZE route to Buenos Aires at just over 11,000 km shows the airline has genuine long-haul ambitions, not just short hops around Italy's coastline. Service quality has improved noticeably since the Alitalia era — the product isn't flashy, but on longer routes the business cabin is competitive. Italy also dominates the route map with 121 routes, so if you're island-hopping or visiting smaller Italian cities, ITA often has the most direct options. Spain and Greece are well-covered too, with 10 and 9 routes respectively.
ITA Airways hub airports
- FCO Rome — 67 ITA Airways routes from Italy
- LIN Milan — 25 ITA Airways routes from Italy
- MUC Munich — 2 ITA Airways routes from Germany
- CFU Kerkyra — 2 ITA Airways routes from Greece
- OLB Olbia — 2 ITA Airways routes from Italy
Top destination countries on ITA Airways
- Italy — 121 ITA Airways routes
- Spain — 10 ITA Airways routes
- Greece — 9 ITA Airways routes
- USA — 8 ITA Airways routes
- Germany — 5 ITA Airways routes
- France — 5 ITA Airways routes
- Netherlands — 2 ITA Airways routes
- Belgium — 2 ITA Airways routes
Tips for booking ITA Airways
FCO is your power hub — Milan LIN has 25 routes but it's a smaller operation, so if you need flexibility or connections, build your itinerary around Rome. Check fare classes carefully before booking: ITA has a tiered structure where the cheapest fares can be stingy on baggage and changes, similar to what legacy carriers do across Europe. The US routes (8 total) are worth comparing against codeshare options since pricing can shift a lot by season. If you're doing a longer trip through Italy first, positioning yourself at FCO before flying onward tends to open up more scheduling options than trying to connect through MUC, where ITA only operates 2 routes.
Frequently asked questions about ITA Airways
Where does ITA Airways fly?
ITA Airways operates 186 routes primarily connecting Italy, Spain, and Greece, with a strong focus on Mediterranean destinations and European cities. The airline serves major cities across Southern Europe and beyond.
What is ITA Airways's main hub?
Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is ITA Airways's primary hub, serving as the main connecting point for the airline's network.
Is ITA Airways a legacy carrier, low-cost airline, or regional carrier?
ITA Airways is a legacy full-service carrier with an extensive European network, offering traditional airline services rather than operating as a low-cost or purely regional airline.
When should I book ITA Airways flights and what fare classes are available?
It's generally recommended to book 6-8 weeks in advance for the best fares. ITA Airways typically offers multiple fare classes ranging from basic economy to premium cabin options, each with different baggage allowances and flexibility terms.
What are ITA Airways's baggage and check-in policies?
Baggage allowances vary by fare class and route; most passengers are entitled to at least one checked bag on international flights. Online check-in is available 24 hours before departure, with airport check-in opening 3 hours before international flights.