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Members of the A++ transatlantic joint venture, which includes United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air Canada, have formally requested approval from the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to add ITA Airways to their partnership. The airlines argue that including ITA is necessary for the Italian carrier’s future competitiveness and sustainability in transatlantic markets.
The joint venture enables participating airlines to coordinate their networks and share revenues on transatlantic routes. According to the filing submitted by Air Canada, Lufthansa, and United, this cooperation provides a significant competitive advantage against other alliances and low-cost carriers. Currently, A++ members operate about 30% of all seat capacity between North America and Europe. Other major partnerships include the Blue Skies venture—comprising Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic—and the Atlantic Joint Business with American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair.
The three airlines stated that if ITA cannot join A++, it "would face the same inevitable commercial challenges that contributed to Alitalia's failure." They added that exclusion from the joint venture would likely force ITA either to reduce its transatlantic operations or rely on state subsidies. As outlined in their filing:
