ITA Airways is the biggest airline in Italy, and is at present within the means of being built-in into the Lufthansa Group.
In July 2023, it became possible to book award flights with ITA Airways by means of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Nevertheless, you may also now guide flights with ITA Airways with Air France KLM Flying Blue, which provides you one other alternative to make use of miles for direct flights between North America and Italy.
ITA Airways Now Bookable with Air France KLM Flying Blue
As of November 20, 2023, flights with ITA Airways at the moment are bookable with Air France KLM Flying Blue. That is the most recent accomplice redemption to turn out to be out there by means of Flying Blue, though it’s unclear how lengthy it is going to final, given the upcoming integration of ITA Airways into the Lufthansa Group.
ITA Airways has a community that’s largely centred round Europe; nonetheless, the Rome-based airline additionally flies to a handful of worldwide locations, the vast majority of that are situated in North America.
In america, ITA Airways at present affords flights to Boston, New York JFK, Washington Dulles, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, primarily from Rome, but additionally from Milan.
Air France KLM Flying Blue just lately harmonized the baseline award pricing for transatlantic flights with Air France and KLM. Nevertheless, the pricing for flights with ITA Airways follows a distinct mannequin.
For instance, one-way flights in enterprise class from Rome to New York JFK worth out at 72,000 miles, plus $224 (CAD) in taxes and charges.
At the moment, availability isn’t too bountiful in both path on any routes, however hopefully that improves within the close to future. Pricing on different routes may very well be totally different; nonetheless, within the absence of widespread availability, it’s tough to gauge how a lot it is going to value.
If you will discover availability, it’s value noting that pricing seems to be considerably aggressive with different transatlantic choices to get to Italy. Nevertheless, there are actually more cost effective award seats to maintain a watch out for, primarily by means of Air Canada Aeroplan and “Saver”-level flights with Air France and KLM booked by means of Flying Blue.
Moreover, you’ll be able to book ITA Airways flights through Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and the provision seems to be higher by means of Flying Membership for the time being. In the event you discover award flights, you’ll want to evaluate pricing with Flying Blue to ensure you’re getting one of the best deal.
As a reminder, you’ll be able to earn Air France KLM Flying Blue miles in Canada by means of the Brim Monetary Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard, or by transferring factors in from American Express Membership Rewards at a 1:0.75 ratio.
In america, Flying Blue is a switch accomplice of American Express US Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards, and Citi ThankYou Rewards, and you may also earn miles instantly by means of the Financial institution of America Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard.
How Is Flying with ITA Airways?
By all measures, flying with ITA Airways seems to be a wholly comfy option to get between North America and Italy.
ITA Airways’s flagship enterprise class product is discovered on the Airbus A350-900, which has 33 reverse herringbone seats in a 1-2-1 configuration.
The enterprise class seats convert into a completely lie-flat mattress, and supply each passenger direct aisle entry.
As a reminder, the Lufthansa Group acquired a 41% stake in ITA Airways in Could 2023. The deal was permitted by the Italian courts in June 2023, and the mixing will happen in some unspecified time in the future within the close to future.
As soon as built-in, ITA Airways will be a part of Austrian Airways, Brussels Airways, Lufthansa, SWISS, and different subsidiaries as a part of the Lufthansa Group. It’s additional anticipated that ITA Airways will be a part of Star Alliance upon this integration.
After becoming a member of Star Alliance, the way forward for reserving ITA Airways with Flying Blue or Flying Membership is unclear, though it’s unlikely that redemptions by means of both program will proceed for the long-term.
Till that occurs, it’s value checking each packages for award flight availability, as Italy is a well-liked vacation spot for travellers, and it may be tough to seek out redemptions at a great worth.
Conclusion
Flights with ITA Airways at the moment are bookable through Air France KLM Flying Blue. Whereas availability seems to be fairly low on the outset, it’s potential that this may enhance within the close to future.
In the event you’re searching for direct flights from North America to Italy, you’ll want to examine Flying Blue as one among your choices.
Even if you happen to don’t discover award flights with ITA Airways, you’re certain to come back throughout choices with Air France and KLM, too.
