Air Canada and ITA Airways launch codeshare deal to expand Canada–Italy travel options

Air Canada and ITA Airways launch a new codeshare agreement to expand travel options across Canada, Italy, and beyond, connecting over 30 destinations.

In a significant boost to transatlantic travel, Air Canada and ITA Airways have officially launched a new codeshare agreement that strengthens connectivity between Canada and Italy while offering travellers streamlined access to more than 30 one-stop itineraries. Announced on July 14, 2025, the partnership allows both airlines to expand their reach through each other’s hubs—Toronto Pearson International Airport and Rome-Fiumicino Airport—and comes at a key moment as ITA Airways prepares to join the Star Alliance network.

This expanded collaboration enables Air Canada passengers flying into Rome to seamlessly book onward flights to ten additional destinations across Italy, North Africa, Israel, and Albania. Meanwhile, ITA Airways travellers arriving in Toronto will gain convenient access to ten major Canadian and U.S. cities.

“We’re thrilled to expand our partnership with ITA Airways through our new codeshare agreement that complements our robust network to Italy,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada. “This deepening of ties will allow customers to conveniently book and seamlessly connect.”

Codeshare details: Enhanced access across continents

The codeshare deal marks a pivotal moment in Air Canada’s long-standing commitment to building robust travel links with Italy. Under the agreement:

• Air Canada (AC code) will appear on ITA Airways-operated flights from Rome to:

  • Five Italian cities: Florence, Bari, Palermo, Catania, and Lamezia Terme

  • Three North African hubs: Cairo, Algiers, and Tunis (pending governmental approval)

  • Tirana (Albania) and Tel Aviv (currently suspended)

• ITA Airways (AZ code) will be placed on Air Canada-operated flights from Toronto to:

  • Canadian cities: Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and St. John's

  • U.S. destinations: Boston, Orlando, Dallas, and Fort Lauderdale

Codeshare tickets are available for booking immediately, with travel beginning on July 21.

The partnership will also support future reciprocal benefits through each airline’s loyalty programs. Work is underway to allow Aeroplan and ITA Volare members to earn and redeem points across both networks, enhancing frequent flyer value as ITA moves closer to full Star Alliance membership in early 2026.

ITA Airways: North America expansion and Star Alliance entry

For ITA Airways, the codeshare represents a strategic leap in strengthening its position in the North American market, one of its top priorities beyond Italy.

“This partnership improves connectivity for our passengers traveling between Italy and North America, our first market beyond Italy, serving both leisure and business travelers,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways.

Eberhart also emphasized the role this partnership plays in supporting travel for the Italian diaspora in Canada and the U.S., offering them easier access to visit family and explore Italian destinations with the airline acting as a “Made in Italy” ambassador.

As the Italian flag carrier continues to evolve under majority ownership by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (59%) and Deutsche Lufthansa AG (41%), joining Star Alliance will deepen its global integration. ITA already benefits from existing codeshare arrangements with five Lufthansa Group airlines: Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Air Dolomiti.

Growing capacity between Canada and Italy

This codeshare complements Air Canada’s growing footprint in Italy, with the airline operating up to 39 weekly flights and offering over 13,000 weekly seats between Canada and major Italian cities this summer. In addition to long-established routes to Rome, Milan, and Venice, Air Canada recently launched a new non-stop service between Montreal and Naples—providing direct access to southern Italy and the Amalfi Coast.

Air Canada also offers intermodal rail connections through Trenitalia, enabling passengers to travel seamlessly from airports to nearly 30 additional destinations across Italy by high-speed or regional train.

What this means for travellers

The partnership unlocks a range of benefits for both leisure and business travellers:

• Easier one-stop itineraries between secondary cities across both countries
• Single-ticket convenience for multi-leg journeys
• Future loyalty point reciprocity across Aeroplan and Volare programs
• Gateway access to popular Mediterranean and North African destinations
• Improved access to Italy for North American travellers, especially those of Italian heritage

Looking ahead

The launch of this codeshare signals a deeper, long-term alignment between two of the world’s prominent flag carriers. As ITA Airways prepares to join the Star Alliance, its integration with Air Canada’s well-established international network reflects the ongoing globalization of the airline industry—and a clear win for passengers seeking convenience, reach, and quality service.

For more information or to book travel, visit aircanada.com or ita-airways.com.

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