Published on
January 11, 2026
Alaska Airlines and ITA Airways have teamed up to offer enhanced travel connectivity, effectively bridging the gap between the U.S. and Europe. This strategic partnership focuses on providing seamless travel options for passengers, especially with the launch of new routes to Italy. By combining Alaska’s strong presence in the U.S. with ITA Airways’ extensive European network, this collaboration aims to improve access to key Italian destinations, enhancing the overall travel experience for customers flying between the two regions.
Alaska Airlines has announced a strategic partnership with ITA Airways, the Italian arm of Lufthansa Group. This alliance is noteworthy because ITA Airways, which emerged after the demise of Alitalia, made its exit from SkyTeam and is in the process of joining the prestigious Star Alliance. The partnership comes as part of Alaska Airlines’ broader strategy to expand its international presence, particularly to Europe.
This partnership is positioned around Alaska Airlines’ exciting new service between Seattle and Rome, which is set to begin operations later this year. With the launch of this direct route to the Italian capital, Alaska Airlines aims to offer more convenient travel options for passengers flying between the Pacific Northwest and Italy. However, the partnership with ITA Airways seems to go beyond just a shared route—it’s about bolstering connectivity across Europe and beyond for travelers in both directions.
The timing of this alliance is key. ITA Airways is in the midst of significant changes. After replacing Alitalia, it quickly moved away from the SkyTeam alliance and has been preparing to join Star Alliance. This shift reflects both the airline’s desire to reposition itself in the competitive European aviation market and to forge stronger relationships with global airlines. By forming an alliance with Alaska Airlines, ITA Airways gains a foothold in the U.S. market, while Alaska Airlines strengthens its European offerings.
For Alaska Airlines, the expansion into Italy and its new partnership with ITA Airways makes sense for several reasons. Seattle has long been a hub for international travelers, particularly with its proximity to Asia and Europe. With Italy being one of the most sought-after destinations in Europe, the Seattle-Rome route allows Alaska Airlines to tap into the growing demand for transatlantic flights. By teaming up with ITA Airways, Alaska also ensures that its customers traveling to Rome can seamlessly connect to other Italian cities and various European destinations via ITA Airways’ network.
In turn, ITA Airways stands to benefit from the increased exposure to North American travelers, particularly those based in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. This cooperation offers ITA Airways access to Alaska Airlines’ extensive domestic network, which could help it attract more passengers from across the United States who are looking to travel to Italy and the broader European continent. This reciprocal benefit ensures that both carriers can leverage each other’s strengths to boost their presence in their respective regions.
However, there are some important details to be aware of when considering this new partnership. Passengers booking travel on this partnership must ensure that their flights are booked through Alaska Airlines. Unlike some other airline partnerships, there is no reciprocal mileage redemption option, which means that passengers will not be able to earn or redeem miles on ITA Airways flights via Alaska Airlines’ Mileage Plan. This detail makes the partnership slightly different from some of the more traditional alliances, which often feature robust mile-sharing programs that benefit frequent flyers.
At this stage, information about the specifics of the Alaska Airlines-ITA Airways relationship is fairly limited. Beyond the Seattle-Rome route and the mutual connectivity that the two airlines are providing, the partnership is primarily listed under Alaska Airlines’ Ean-partner page, which serves as a resource for passengers looking for more details on the airlines they may book with for international flights. While this partnership is likely to evolve over time, the current scope of the collaboration centers around the Seattle-Rome route and the connectivity benefits for passengers traveling between North America and Italy.
For Alaska Airlines, this partnership is a crucial step in building a stronger foothold in Europe. The U.S. airline has been gradually increasing its international presence, and Europe, with its large pool of tourists, business travelers, and cultural exchanges, represents an important market for further expansion. By adding a well-established Italian airline to its roster of partners, Alaska Airlines can expand its network into more European cities, offering greater convenience for travelers in the U.S. seeking to explore Europe.
ITA Airways, for its part, is working diligently to improve its standing in the aviation world and is looking to maximize its position by joining Star Alliance, the world’s largest global airline alliance. This new partnership with Alaska Airlines could help solidify its position within the European and North American market, providing better access to both regions while it builds out its transatlantic network. The alliance is also indicative of ITA’s ambition to increase its international appeal, offering more routes and connections to its customers.
While no further specifics have been revealed about the terms of the alliance, passengers looking to take advantage of this new partnership will likely see greater access to flights to Italy and Europe via the Seattle hub. The lack of a reciprocal mileage redemption arrangement may initially seem limiting, but for passengers booking their trips through Alaska Airlines, the convenience of seamless connections to Italy and Europe will be the primary appeal of this new alliance.
Alaska Airlines and ITA Airways have partnered to enhance travel connectivity, offering seamless routes between the U.S. and Europe, with new direct flights to Italy, providing passengers with more convenient travel options.
the partnership between Alaska Airlines and ITA Airways represents a significant development for both carriers. It offers Alaska Airlines an expanded international footprint, particularly in Italy and Europe, while providing ITA Airways with much-needed access to North American travelers. As Alaska Airlines begins service between Seattle and Rome later this year, this partnership will likely serve as a key selling point for travelers looking to seamlessly connect to other European destinations. While details remain sparse, the alliance is a promising sign of future collaboration between the two airlines and a potential for growth as they leverage each other’s networks and strengths.
