ITA Airways vs Lufthansa 2026: New Italian Flag vs German Legacy

ITA Airways and Lufthansa are now both Lufthansa Group properties after the German airline group acquired a 41 percent stake in ITA in mid-2024, with options for full ownership in the future. The two airlines continue to operate as separate brands with distinct fleets, alliance memberships, and fare structures. ITA joined SkyTeam in 2024 (Delta, Air France-KLM, Korean Air, and others) while Lufthansa remains the flagship Star Alliance carrier (United, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, ANA, and 20+ partners).

The route overlap is meaningful: both airlines fly transatlantic from US gateways to Europe, both compete on intra-European short-haul, and both have similar fare-class structures (Economy Light, Classic, Flex, Premium Economy, Business). The structural differences are alliance choice, hub geography (Rome FCO vs Frankfurt FRA + Munich MUC), and the Allegris business class product that Lufthansa is rolling out across its A350 fleet through 2026.

For US-Italy travelers, ITA is usually the better choice as the only nonstop Italian flag option. For US-anywhere-else-in-Europe or onward Star Alliance connections, Lufthansa’s two-hub network and global partners win.

What We Looked For

• Fare-class structure and bag bundling, especially the Economy Light differences
• Cabin bag dimensions and weight, since ITA is narrower and Lufthansa is wider but both enforce 8 kg
• Business class hard product, comparing Lufthansa Allegris (Suite Plus enclosed pods) to ITA’s reverse-herringbone
• Network reach and US gateway coverage
• Alliance choice (SkyTeam vs Star Alliance) which decides loyalty earning and partner redemption
• The Lufthansa Group ownership stake and what it might mean for future integration

Which airline charges less for bags, ITA or Lufthansa?

Both include the cabin bag on Light fares. ITA includes a more generous personal item. Bag fees on Economy Light are comparable. Lufthansa Transatlantic Light typically includes a checked bag; ITA does not.

Carry-on. ITA: 55x35x25 cm (21.7x15.7x9.1 in), 8 kg, free on every fare. Lufthansa: 55x40x23 cm (21.7x15.7x9.1 in), 8 kg, free on every fare. Lufthansa is 5 cm wider, ITA is 2 cm deeper. Both enforce the 8 kg weight limit at European gates. Hard-shell rollers designed for the 40 cm Lufthansa standard may not fit ITA’s narrower 35 cm sizer sideways.

Personal item. ITA: 45x36x20 cm (17.7x14.2x7.9 in), the largest in Europe among major flag carriers. Lufthansa: 40x30x15 cm (15.7x11.8x5.9 in), notably more restrictive. ITA’s personal item allowance comfortably fits a standard work laptop bag; Lufthansa’s 15 cm depth catches travelers with even moderately-thick laptop bags.

Checked bags. ITA: Economy Light 0 included (EUR 60-140 add-on per segment), Economy Classic 1x23 kg, Premium Economy 2x23 kg, Business 2x32 kg. Lufthansa: Intra-Europe Light 0 included, Transatlantic Light typically 1x23 kg included, Economy Classic/Flex 1x23 kg, Premium Economy 1x23 kg, Business 2x32 kg.

The transatlantic difference is the most consequential: a Lufthansa transatlantic Light fare usually includes a checked bag, while ITA’s transatlantic Light does not. The total fare comparison should always add the EUR 60-140 ITA bag fee to compare apples-to-apples.

Premium Economy bags. This is where ITA wins clearly: ITA Premium Economy includes 2x23 kg checked bags, Lufthansa Premium Economy includes 1x23 kg. For travelers who need extra checked allowance, ITA’s bundle is more generous.

Winner: Personal item size

ITA / 45x36x20 vs Lufthansa 40x30x15; significantly more usable

Winner: Cabin bag width

Lufthansa / 40 cm wide vs ITA 35 cm; fits standard hard-shell rollers

Winner: Transatlantic Light bag

Lufthansa / Includes 1 checked bag; ITA Light charges EUR 60-140

Winner: Premium Economy bag allowance

ITA / 2x23 kg vs Lufthansa 1x23 kg

Business class: Allegris Suite Plus vs ITA reverse-herringbone

Lufthansa Allegris is the new (rolling out through 2026) business class hard product with five seat types including the Suite Plus enclosed pod with door, ottoman, wardrobe, and personal cabin space. ITA Airways business class is a competitive but not class-leading 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone lie-flat.

Lufthansa Allegris launched in 2024 on select A350-900 aircraft and is rolling out across the A350 fleet plus the new Boeing 787-9 deliveries through 2026. The hard product has five seat variants:

• Suite Plus: enclosed pod with door, wardrobe, larger IFE screen, footwell that converts to ottoman seating
• Business Class Suite: similar to Suite Plus without the door
• Standard Business: lie-flat 1-2-1 with direct aisle access
• Extra Long Bed: standard with additional length
• Extra Wide: standard with additional width

Round-trip transatlantic Lufthansa Allegris typically runs EUR 3,500-7,000+ depending on city pair and Suite Plus availability. Lufthansa First Class continues on select A380 and 747-8 routes with even higher fares.

ITA Airways business class on A350-900 and A330-900neo widebodies is a standard 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone lie-flat product, competitive on basic comfort but without the door, ottoman, or enclosed pod features of Allegris Suite Plus. Round-trip transatlantic ITA Business typically runs EUR 2,500-5,000.

For travelers comparing premium cabin specifically, Lufthansa Allegris Suite Plus is the meaningful upgrade on transatlantic routes if it is available on your specific aircraft. ITA Business is the value choice and still a true lie-flat with direct aisle access.

Winner: Business class hard product (Suite Plus)

Lufthansa / Allegris Suite Plus enclosed pod; ITA has no equivalent

Winner: Business class value

ITA / EUR 2,500-5,000 transatlantic vs Lufthansa's EUR 3,500-7,000+

Winner: First Class

Lufthansa / Lufthansa First Class on select routes; ITA has no First

Network reach: 20+ US gateways vs 8 Italy-direct gateways

Lufthansa’s two-hub network (Frankfurt + Munich) plus Star Alliance partners covers far more US gateways than ITA. ITA is the only nonstop Italian flag carrier from US to Rome.

Lufthansa operates 20+ US gateways across its two-hub network: JFK, EWR, BOS, IAD, MIA, FLL, MCO, ORD, MSP, DEN, IAH, DFW, LAX, SFO, SAN, SEA, and seasonal cities. Frankfurt FRA and Munich MUC connect to virtually every meaningful European, Asian, African, and Middle Eastern destination via Lufthansa metal plus Star Alliance partners (United, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, ANA, Turkish Airlines, and 15+ others).

ITA Airways operates 8 US gateways nonstop to Rome Fiumicino (FCO): JFK, EWR, BOS, MIA, LAX, ORD, IAD, SFO. From FCO, ITA’s European network is more limited than Lufthansa’s, with intra-Italy routes plus connections to major European cities. SkyTeam partner Delta provides US feed; Air France-KLM provides European reach.

For US-Italy direct flying, ITA wins. For US-anywhere-else-in-Europe or US-Asia/Africa/Middle East connections, Lufthansa’s hub network is meaningfully larger.

Winner: Direct Italy access from US

ITA / Only nonstop Italian flag carrier

Winner: Global network reach

Lufthansa / Two German hubs + Star Alliance to virtually anywhere

Winner: US gateway count

Lufthansa / 20+ vs ITA's 8

Alliance choice: SkyTeam or Star Alliance

ITA joined SkyTeam in 2024 (Delta, Air France-KLM, Korean Air, Garuda Indonesia, and others). Lufthansa remains the flagship Star Alliance carrier with 20+ partners. Alliance choice usually decides which airline you book.

For travelers earning Delta SkyMiles, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, or Korean Air SKYPASS: ITA Airways is the natural Italy-direct option within your alliance. SkyTeam award redemptions on ITA are available through any SkyTeam program, and Delta SkyMiles holders can redeem for ITA flights at SkyMiles rates.

For travelers earning United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, or ANA Mileage Club: Lufthansa is your Star Alliance Europe option. Star Alliance award redemptions on Lufthansa are available through any Star Alliance program. Lufthansa Miles & More is also a major standalone FFP with Mastercard and Amex co-brand cards in the US and Europe.

The Lufthansa Group’s 41 percent stake in ITA does not currently merge the loyalty programs or alliance memberships. Future integration is possible but not announced for 2026.

Winner: Alliance flexibility for SkyTeam loyalists

ITA / Joined SkyTeam 2024 with Delta/Air France-KLM/Korean reciprocity

Winner: Alliance flexibility for Star Alliance loyalists

Lufthansa / Flagship Star Alliance member with 20+ partners

Who should pick ITA Airways

• You are flying nonstop between a US gateway and Rome FCO (the only Italian flag option)
• You earn miles in SkyTeam (Delta SkyMiles, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Korean Air SKYPASS)
• You value the larger ITA personal item (45x36x20 cm vs Lufthansa’s 40x30x15 cm)
• Premium Economy with 2x23 kg checked bags is the right cabin for your trip
• Business class on a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone is sufficient without needing Allegris Suite Plus
• You want a single-airline Italy-and-back trip without connections

Who should pick Lufthansa

• Your transatlantic destination is anywhere in Europe other than Italy (or Italy via connection)
• You earn miles in Star Alliance (United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Singapore KrisFlyer, ANA Mileage Club)
• Lufthansa Allegris Suite Plus is the right business class upgrade and the route has the Allegris-equipped aircraft
• You need connections to Asia, Africa, or the Middle East through Frankfurt or Munich
• You hold a Lufthansa Miles & More co-brand credit card (Mastercard or Amex)
• The Lufthansa transatlantic Light fare with included checked bag is the better total cost

The bottom line

ITA Airways and Lufthansa share corporate parentage (Lufthansa Group owns 41 percent of ITA as of mid-2024) but operate as competitors in different alliances with different network strategies. ITA is the SkyTeam Italian flag carrier; Lufthansa is the Star Alliance German flagship. For US-Italy direct travel, ITA is the obvious choice. For everything else, Lufthansa’s two-hub network and 20+ Star Alliance partners give it the broader reach.

The 2024 Lufthansa Group acquisition stake could change the picture over the next few years: cabin product integration, codeshare expansion, and loyalty program reciprocity are all plausible developments. For 2026 bookings, the two airlines remain independent choices.

For travelers who value premium cabin product specifically, Lufthansa Allegris Suite Plus on the A350-900 (rolling out through 2026) is one of the best business class seats in commercial service and meaningfully ahead of ITA’s standard reverse-herringbone product. For Premium Economy travelers, ITA’s 2x23 kg checked allowance is the meaningful advantage.

For more comparisons, see Air France vs Lufthansa and SWISS vs Lufthansa.