Air Canada and ITA Airways have unveiled a new codeshare agreement, marking a significant step in their partnership.
This collaboration offers travelers more seamless and convenient options for flights between Canada, Italy, and beyond.
The agreement enhances connectivity, allowing passengers to explore a wider range of destinations with ease.
Expanded Travel Options
The codeshare agreement strengthens Air Canada’s network to Italy. Travelers flying to Rome-Fiumicino on Air Canada can now connect effortlessly to ten popular destinations operated by ITA Airways.
These include five Italian cities: Lamezia Terme, Palermo, Catania, Florence, and Bari. Additionally, the agreement covers routes to Cairo, Tunis, and Algiers in Africa, as well as Tirana in Albania and Tel Aviv in Israel (temporarily suspended).
For ITA Airways passengers, the partnership opens up access to ten key cities in Canada and the U.S. from Toronto Pearson.
These include Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and St. John’s in Canada, as well as Boston, Orlando, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale in the U.S.
This expanded network caters to both leisure and business travelers, offering greater flexibility and choice.
“We’re excited to deepen our partnership with ITA Airways through this codeshare agreement,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.
“This collaboration complements our strong network to Italy, enabling seamless connections for our customers. It also lays the groundwork for a long-term relationship as ITA Airways progresses toward joining Star Alliance.”
A Step Toward Star Alliance Membership
ITA Airways is on track to become a full member of the Star Alliance network by early 2026. This codeshare agreement is a key milestone in that journey, fostering stronger ties between the two airlines.
Both carriers are also working to introduce reciprocal earning and redemption options for their loyalty programs, further enhancing the travel experience for frequent flyers.
Joerg Eberhart, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of ITA Airways, emphasized the importance of this partnership. “This codeshare agreement with Air Canada is a vital part of our growth strategy,” he said.
“It improves connectivity for passengers traveling between Italy and North America, our primary market outside Italy. It also allows Italian-origin travelers in Canada and the U.S. to connect seamlessly to Italy and beyond, while experiencing the excellence of Made in Italy, which ITA Airways proudly represents.”
Air Canada’s Growing Presence in Italy
Air Canada continues to expand its services to Italy, offering up to 39 weekly flights and over 13,000 weekly seats during the summer season.
In May, the airline launched a new route from Montreal to Naples, a gateway to the scenic Amalfi Coast. This addition complements existing non-stop connections to Rome, Milan, and Venice, making Naples Air Canada’s fourth direct route to Italy.
Air Canada also partners with Trenitalia, Italy’s largest train operator, to offer intermodal rail connections. This service allows passengers to reach up to 30 additional destinations within Italy via high-speed, regional, overnight, and international train routes, providing a convenient alternative to air travel for exploring Italy’s diverse regions.
ITA Airways’ Network
ITA Airways operates an extensive network, serving 59 destinations in the current summer season. This includes 16 intercontinental, 27 international, and 16 domestic routes.
During peak summer months, the airline adds 12 seasonal destinations in the Mediterranean, such as Ibiza, Majorca, Menorca, and several Greek islands, including Rhodes, Heraklion, Corfu, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia.
Italian islands like Lampedusa and Pantelleria are also part of the seasonal lineup.
In addition to its codeshare with Air Canada, ITA Airways has agreements with five Lufthansa Group airlines—Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air Dolomiti.
These partnerships provide passengers with access to over 100 additional destinations across Europe and intercontinental routes, further expanding travel possibilities.
Conclusion
This codeshare agreement between Air Canada and ITA Airways is a game-changer for travelers seeking seamless connections between Canada, Italy, and beyond.
By combining their networks and leveraging their respective strengths, the airlines are creating a more connected and convenient travel experience.
As ITA Airways moves closer to Star Alliance membership, this partnership promises to deliver even more benefits for passengers in the years to come.
