ITA Airways Business Class review

On the new A350-900: yes, very. ITA Airways A350 Business Class features a 1-2-1 lie-flat cabin with a closing door per seat, full mattress pad, Italian-styled soft product, and excellent Italian catering. It is competitive with Air France new Business and BA Club Suite. The legacy fleet (older A330 and Boeing 777) has a dated 2-2-2 angle-flat cabin, verify aircraft on every quote.

In 2026, ITA Airways operates three aircraft types on US routes: (1) Airbus A350-900 (the newest, 1-2-1 lie-flat Business with closing door, the flagship product); (2) Airbus A330-900neo (similar cabin to A350); (3) Boeing 777-200 (legacy, 2-2-2 angle-flat, being phased out). The A350 operates primarily on JFK-FCO, EWR-FCO, BOS-FCO. The 777-200 still operates on some MIA-FCO and LAX-FCO routes.

ITA Airways A350 Business Class is genuinely competitive with Delta One Suite. Both are 1-2-1 lie-flat with closing doors. Delta One has slightly more polished service consistency; ITA Airways has notably stronger Italian catering and a more refined cabin design. Price is typically similar within $200-400. For travelers prioritizing food, ITA Airways edges Delta. For US loyalty program holders (SkyMiles, Amex Platinum), Delta One is the better fit.

In 2026: JFK to Rome (FCO) daily on A350; EWR to Rome on A350; BOS to Rome on A330neo; MIA to Rome on 777-200 or A330neo; LAX to Rome seasonally on A330neo; CHI/Washington/Houston routes via Rome connection. ITA Airways operates two long-haul daily JFK-FCO frequencies in summer, one in winter. Onward connections from Rome to all major European cities plus North Africa, Middle East, and Asia.

Published Business Class on JFK/EWR → FCO round-trip typically runs $3,800 – $6,000 in peak summer, $3,200 – $4,800 off-peak. Through a contracted consolidator, ITA Airways Business round-trip on JFK-FCO is regularly $2,700 – $3,200 in shoulder season. Comparable to Delta One Suite on the same route.

Genuinely excellent. ITA Airways catering features region-specific Italian menus (Roman, Tuscan, Sicilian rotations), Italian wine list curated by Italian sommeliers, espresso service, and proper Italian breakfast options. Antipasto and primi piatti are real (not airline-Americanized) Italian dishes. Among the strongest catering programs in transatlantic Business Class. For travelers heading to Italy, the in-flight food is itself a vacation preview.

Yes, the Volare program - but the loyalty picture changed with the Lufthansa Group takeover. ITA left SkyTeam in April 2025, so the old Flying Blue earning and redemption route is gone. Volare is being aligned with Lufthansa’s Miles & More ecosystem, and ITA flights now earn and redeem across Lufthansa Group carriers (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian, Brussels). If you hold Miles & More or credit-card points that transfer to it, that is now the practical path to ITA Business redemptions; check the current earning table before crediting.

Lufthansa Group took its stake in ITA in January 2025 and integration has been rolling through 2025-2026: ITA left SkyTeam in April 2025, is moving into the Star Alliance orbit, and Volare is aligning with Miles & More. For passengers the A350 Business cabin, crews and Italian catering are unchanged - what improves is connectivity: Lufthansa Group codeshares open one-stop options via Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich alongside Rome, and ITA fares now show up through Lufthansa sales channels. Consolidator pricing on JFK-FCO has stayed in the same band through the transition.

At Rome Fiumicino, ITA Airways operates the Casa Italia Lounge, a relatively new (2022) Business Class lounge with a-la-carte Italian menu, espresso bar, and quiet zone. Solid product, comparable to KLM Crown Lounge but not at the level of Air France La Premiere. At US gateways (JFK, EWR, BOS, MIA, LAX), ITA Business Class passengers typically use partner lounges (Centurion or Plaza Premium variations).