:Alitalia

{{Recentism|section|date=January 2023}}

File:Savoia SM95 I-DALL RWY 1948.jpg at Manchester in 1948]]

Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. was established on 16 September 1946 as Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali (Italian International Airlines). It was formed as a result of an Anglo-Italian agreement and was funded by the Italian government and British European Airways (BEA) in a 60/40 share arrangement with a capital of 900 million lire (£1,000,000).{{cite news|date=18 July 1946|title=The Anglo-Italian Agreement|page=70|work=Flight International|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1946/1946%20-%201400.html|access-date=23 December 2016}} Its popular name, Alitalia, is an Italian portmanteau of the words ali (wings) and Italia (Italy). It started operations on 5 May 1947, in which year it carried over 10,000 passengers. The inaugural flight was with a Fiat G.12 Alcione, piloted by Virginio Reinero from Turin to Catania and Rome.

The first intercontinental flight left a year later, flying between Milan and cities in South America. The Savoia-Marchetti SM.95 four engined airliner was used on European routes up to 1949. On 31 October 1957, Alitalia merged with Linee Aeree Italiane and took on the name of Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane. By the time of its liquidation, Alitalia was owned by the Italian Ministry of the Treasury (49%), other shareholders, including employees (49%) and Air France-KLM (2%, later: 25%).

File:Douglas DC-8-43 I-DIWA Alitalia LAP 20.08.60 edited-2.jpg at Heathrow Airport in August 1960]]

By 1960, Alitalia was operating jet airliners on some European routes (the Sud Caravelle) and the Douglas DC-8 on several longer distance routes. The Vickers Viscount propeller-turbine four-engined airliner was flown by Alitalia on its European network throughout the 1960s.

Beginning with Pope Paul VI in 1964 until the airline's closure in 2021, the Pope flew most often on a chartered Alitalia jet when making pastoral and state visits to a country.{{cite news |last1=Allen |first1=Elise Ann |title=This Fall, Papal Travel Will Change With Closure of Pope Francis' Favorite Airline |url=https://thetablet.org/pope-francis-alitalia-airlines/# |access-date=2022-04-09 |work=The Tablet |date=24 August 2021}} The Pope's flight was often nicknamed "Shepherd One" by the press, while the actual callsign was "Volo Papale" (papal flight, in Italian) followed by a serial number.{{cite news|last=Willey|first=David|date=15 April 2008|title=Pope's US tour: Reporter's diary|work=BBC News|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7349513.stm|access-date=23 December 2016}}

In 1978, Alitalia had its head office in the Palazzo Alitalia in Rome.{{cite news|date=22 April 1978|title=World Airline Directory|page=1134|work=Flight International|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1978/1978%20-%200638.html|access-date=23 December 2016}}

By the 1990s, Alitalia was carrying 25 million passengers annually. In 1997, it set up a regional subsidiary Alitalia Express and in 2001 became a member of SkyTeam. In November 2003, Alitalia announced that it would cut 2,700 jobs over the next three years to prepare the airline for a merger with Air France and KLM. In April 2004, Alitalia acquired Gandalf Airlines, a bankrupt regional airline, to gain additional slots at several European airports, mainly in Milan (Linate) and Paris (Charles De Gaulle).

In 1995, Alitalia signed a partnership with KLM which aimed at a merger. The aim of the partnership was to develop Malpensa as a hub, along with Amsterdam (which lacked enough landing slots to expand further) and Rome Fiumicino.

In 2001, Alitalia renewed the ground handling contract with SEA. In the same year, Alitalia joined the SkyTeam alliance.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In September 2007, Alitalia announced that it would nearly halve its hub at Malpensa and instead focus on Rome-Fiumicino and move all intercontinental flights there. Until this announcement, Malpensa had been Alitalia's primary hub for intercontinental flights. The transition away from Malpensa and towards Rome-Fiumicino was completed by the end of March 2008. Minor intercontinental destinations, which previously received flights only from Malpensa, henceforth received only flights from Rome-Fiumicino or else were discontinued.

File:President_Pope_Shephard_One_Andrews_Air_Force_Base.jpg walks the red carpet with Pope Benedict XVI. (2008)]]

In 2008, a group of investors formed the "Compagnia Aerea Italiana" (CAI) consortium to buy the bankrupt Alitalia – Linee Aeree Italiane ("old" Alitalia) and to merge these with Air One, another bankrupt Italian carrier.{{cite news|last1=Di Leo|first1=Luca|last2=Sorlini|first2=Gordon|title=Alitalia Rescue Plan Receives Governmental Green Light|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122723710442947117|access-date=24 December 2016|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=21 November 2008}}

On 30 October 2008, CAI offered €1 billion to acquire parts of the bankrupt airline, amidst pilots' and flight crew members' opposition to labour agreements.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/alitalia-idUSLJ63192820081119|title=Italy agrees sale of Alitalia to CAI consortium|website=Reuters.com|date=19 November 2008|access-date=29 January 2012|author=Deepa Babington}} On 19 November 2008, CAI's offer was accepted by the bankruptcy administrator of Alitalia with the permission of the Italian government, at the time the majority shareholder of the bankrupt airline.{{cite news|url=http://tg24.sky.it/tg24/economia/2008/11/21/Alitalia_Fantozzi_accetta_lofferta_di_Cai_1.052_milioni.html|title=Alitalia, Fantozzi accetta l'offerta di Cai: 1.052 milioni|date=21 November 2008|publisher=SKY TG 24|language=it|access-date=18 September 2011|archive-date=24 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324104943/http://tg24.sky.it/tg24/economia/2008/11/21/Alitalia_Fantozzi_accetta_lofferta_di_Cai_1.052_milioni.html|url-status=dead}} Alitalia's profitable assets were transferred to CAI on 12 December 2008 after CAI paid €1.05 billion, consisting of €427 million in cash and the assumption of responsibility for €625 million in Alitalia debt.{{cite web|url=http://gurgleitaly.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/boykott-cai-alitaliaairone/|title=Boykott CAI (Alitalia+AirOne)|date=8 January 2009|publisher=Gurgle Italy|access-date=7 October 2012}}

A USA diplomatic cable disclosed in 2011 summarised the operation as follows: "Under the guise of a rather quaint (and distinctly un-EU) desire to maintain the Italian-ness of the company, a group of wealthy Berlusconi cronies was enticed into taking over the healthy portions of Alitalia, leaving its debts to the Italian taxpayers. The rules of bankruptcy were changed in the middle of the game to meet the government's needs. Berlusconi pulled this one off, but his involvement probably cost the Italian taxpayers a lot of money.""[http://racconta.espresso.repubblica.it/espresso-wikileaks-database-italia/dettaglio.php?id=58 Alitalia, vola italiano ma a quale prezzo]." ([https://web.archive.org/web/20140502013346/http://racconta.espresso.repubblica.it/espresso-wikileaks-database-italia/dettaglio.php?id=58 Archive], shows an Italian translation of a 3 October 2008 cable from the USA Embassy Rome, [http://racconta.espresso.repubblica.it/espresso-wikileaks-database-italia/dettaglio_eng.php?id=58 see in the original English], [https://web.archive.org/web/20140107073202/http://racconta.espresso.repubblica.it/espresso-wikileaks-database-italia/dettaglio_eng.php?id=58 Archive]) La Repubblica.

On 13 January 2009, the "new" Alitalia launched operations. The owners of Compagnia Aerea Italiana sold 25% of the company's shares to Air France-KLM for €322 million. Air France-KLM also obtained an option, subject to certain conditions, to purchase additional shares after 2013.{{cite news|last1=Dinmore|first1=Guy|last2=Done|first2=Kevin|last3=Boland|first3=Vincent|url= http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/776c5c2c-e0ce-11dd-b0e8-000077b07658.html|title= Air France-KLM buys 25% of Alitalia|date=12 January 2009|newspaper=Financial Times|access-date=24 December 2016}}

The "new" Alitalia did not claim the old Alitalia's history as its own, as can be seen in official documents regarding the new "Alitalia Group".Page 21 of [http://www.alicorporate.com/it/Images/2012%2008%2002%20%20Modello%20Alitalia%20parte%20generale_tcm6-38339.pdf Modello di Organizzazione, Gestione e Controllo ex D.LGS 231/01 Parte Generale – Alitalia – Compagnia Aerea Italiana S.p.A.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106051120/http://www.alicorporate.com/it/Images/2012%2008%2002%20%20Modello%20Alitalia%20parte%20generale_tcm6-38339.pdf |date=6 January 2015 }} Instead, they stressed that they were a totally different company. They chose not to recognize benefits such as discounted tickets to former Alitalia-LAI workers and refused to honour passengers' claims against the old Alitalia.{{cite web|last=Elliott|first=Christopher|url= http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/three-years-later-alitalia-still-owes-me-528-for-my-lost-baggage-and-ruined-italian-vacation/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107103559/http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/three-years-later-alitalia-still-owes-me-528-for-my-lost-baggage-and-ruined-italian-vacation/|archive-date=7 November 2010|title=Three years later, Alitalia still owes me $528 for my lost baggage and ruined Italian vacation|date=5 November 2010|work=Consumer Travel|access-date=24 December 2016}}

The new Alitalia did not own many of its operating airplanes. (Alitalia-LAI had owned all of its airplanes.) Almost every plane that CAI had acquired from the old Alitalia was sold or decommissioned. Alitalia-CAI airplanes were leased mostly from Aircraft Purchase Fleet (it),{{cite web|title=About us|url=http://www.apfl.ie/index.php?sisu=tekst&mid=1&lang=eng|website=APFL|access-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101119225306/http://www.apfl.ie/index.php?sisu=tekst&mid=1&lang=eng|archive-date=19 November 2010}} an Irish company owned by Carlo Toto, the former owner of the bankrupt[http://www.ilpuntodue.it/?q=node/293 GOVERNO: FALLIMENTO DI ALITALIA! SALVATI DALLA BANCAROTTA SOLO AIR ONE E MALPENSA (Pirozzi e Biasco). | IlpuntoDue] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313153031/http://ilpuntodue.it/?q=node/293 |date=13 March 2016 }} "La Nuova Compagnia, servirà a salvare la Air One di Toto, che accumula passivi ogni giorno, insieme al salvataggio dell’aeroporto di Malpensa, che correva il rischio di perdere 62 attracchi al giorno e il declassamento ad aeroporto di secondo livello." translated: "The New Company (Alitalia-CAI) will save Toto's Air One, which has its debts increased every day, together with Malpensa Airport, which could have lost 62 slots per day and it could have been declassed to second-level airport." Air One, which was merged in 2008 into Alitalia-LAI when the new company was founded.

In January 2010, Alitalia celebrated its first anniversary since the relaunch. It carried 22 million passengers in its first year of operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.informazione.it/a/3C4A5CAC-C391-4DDE-B90E-6EB3257709D6/ALITALIA-COLANINNO-22-MLN-PASSEGGERI-NEL-2009-E-QUEST-ANNO-DI-PIU |title=Alitalia: Colaninno, 22 MLN Passeggeri Nel 2009. E Quest'Anno di Piu' (abnm)|website=Informazione.it|date=15 January 2010|access-date=7 October 2012}} In 2011, 25 million passengers were carried.{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.alitalia.com/en/media/press-releases/il-consiglio-di-amministrazione-di-alitalia-approva-il-progetto-di-bilancio-2011.html|title=Alitalia's Board Of Directors Approves The Group Financial Statement For 2011|author=Alitalia|date=24 February 2012|access-date=24 December 2016}} On 1 February 2010, it was announced that Alitalia crew would go on a four-hour strike over wages. This was the first strike action for Alitalia since the relaunch.{{cite web|last1=Segreti |first1=Giulia |last2=Dinmore |first2=Guy |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/cfd0896e-0ed2-11df-bd79-00144feabdc0.html |title=Alitalia faces first strike action since emerging from bankruptcy |newspaper=Financial Times|date=1 February 2010 |access-date=7 October 2012}} On 11 February 2010, Alitalia announced that, starting from March 2010, it would use Air One as a low-fare airline ("Smart Carrier"), with operations based at Milan Malpensa Airport, focused on short-haul leisure routes. It was predicted that the subsidiary would handle 2.4 million passengers by 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.ttgitalia.com/stories/trasporti/1500_alitalia_3_milioni_di_pax_a_malpensa_con_air_one/ |title=Alitalia: 3 milioni di pax a Malpensa con Air One |language= it |publisher=TTG Italia |date=21 September 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012}} In 2011, 1.4 million passengers were carried by the subsidiary. Although operations were initially to be concentrated at Milan Malpensa, Air One later operated from Milan-Malpensa, Venice-Marco Polo, Pisa and Catania as of January 2013.

On 12 February 2011, information was released about a possible merger between Alitalia and Meridiana Fly, another Italian carrier.{{cite news|last=Remondini |first=Chiara |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-12/alitalia-meridiana-fly-are-in-merger-talks-messaggero-reports.html |title=Alitalia, Meridiana Fly Are in Merger Talks, Messaggero Reports |publisher=Bloomberg |date=12 February 2011 |access-date=7 October 2012}} The merger did not occur. On 23 February 2011, Alitalia and ENAC announced the introduction of a safety card written in braille and characters in 3-D relief, which is the first of its kind.{{cite press release|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases/enac-and-alitalia-present-the-safety-card-written-in-braille-and-characters-in-3-d-relief-introduced-on-scheduled-flights-for-the-first-time-in-the-world.html |title=ENAC and Alitalia present the safety card written in Braille and characters in 3-D relief introduced on scheduled flights for the first time in the world |publisher=Alitalia |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=24 December 2016}} On 25 January 2012, Alitalia signed memoranda of understanding with two other Italian airlines, Blue Panorama and Wind Jet, and said to have started processes "aimed at achieving integration" with them.{{cite news|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/alitalia-plans-merger-with-blue-panorama-and-wind-jet-367399/ |title=Alitalia plans merger with Blue Panorama and Wind Jet |work=Flightglobal|date=25 January 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012}} By the end of July 2012, the Italian antitrust authority allowed Alitalia to acquire Wind Jet, but in return Alitalia would have to cede slots on domestic routes. Faced with this, Alitalia cancelled the plans a few days later in August 2012.{{cite web|url=http://volaspheric.blogspot.de/2012/08/alitalia-cancelled-wind-jet-acquisition.html |title=volaspheric: Alitalia has cancelled Wind Jet acquisition|website=Volaspheric.blogspot.de|date=2 August 2012 |access-date=7 October 2012}}

On 3 May 2013, in a sting codenamed "Operation Clean Holds", police made 49 arrests at Rome's Fiumicino airport, with another 37 in Italian airports including Bari, Bologna, Milan Linate, Naples, Palermo and Verona. All were Alitalia employees caught on camera, and most were charged with aggravated theft and damage.{{cite news|author=Laura Smith-Spark|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/04/travel/italy-police-baggage-theft/ |title=Italian police arrest dozens over Alitalia baggage theft |website=Cnn.com|date=4 May 2013}} In late 2013, facing bankruptcy, the loss of a major fuel supplier, and a possible grounding by Italy's civil aviation authority, the airline announced a €500 million rescue package which included a €75 million investment by the Italian state-owned postal operator.{{cite web|url=http://www.frequentbusinesstraveler.com/2013/10/alitalia-secures-e500-million-in-new-funding-avoids-bankruptcy/|title=Alitalia Secures €500 million in New Funding, Avoids Bankruptcy|publisher=Frequent Business Traveler|date=12 October 2013|access-date=12 October 2013}}

In June 2014, the Abu Dhabi-based UAE national airline Etihad Airways announced it was taking a 49% stake in Alitalia. On 30 September 2014, Alitalia's budget subsidiary Air One ceased flight operations.

On 1 January 2015, Alitalia-CAI formally passed its operations to Alitalia-SAI, a new entity owned 49% by Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and 51% owned by the former Italian stakeholders of Alitalia-CAI.{{cite news|title="È arrivato il sì di Etihad", sempre più vicino l'accordo con Alitalia|url=http://www.corriere.it/economia/14_agosto_01/arrivato-si-ethiad-via-libera-all-accordo-alitalia-3e4b5ce0-197b-11e4-91b2-1fd8845305fa.shtml|date=1 August 2014|access-date=24 December 2016|work=Corriere della Sera}}{{cite press release|title=The New Alitalia Takes Off |url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases/2015-01-01.html|date=1 January 2015|access-date=24 December 2016|publisher=Alitalia Corporate}} In May 2015, Alitalia announced it would terminate its partnership with Air France-KLM in 2017, stating that there were no longer enough advantages from the joint venture to keep it up.{{cite news|last1=Frommberg|first1=Laura|title=Alitalia trennt sich von Air France KLM – Scheidung auf Italienisch|url=http://www.aerotelegraph.com/alitalia-trennt-sich-von-air-france-klm|access-date=24 December 2016|website=Aerotelegraph.com|date=19 May 2015|language=de}}

In February 2016, Alitalia announced that in late March 2016 it would cancel most of its routes from Pisa, including Moscow, Prague, Berlin, Catania and Tirana. Alitalia decided to continue flying to Olbia and Rome.{{cite news|title=Alitalia lascia l'aeroporto di Pisa: rotte sostituite da altre compagnie|url=http://firenze.repubblica.it/cronaca/2016/03/03/news/alitalia_lascia_l_aeroporto_di_pisa_rotte_sostituite_da_altre_compagnie-134713537/?refresh_ce|access-date=24 December 2016|website=R.it Firenze|date=3 March 2016|language=it}}

On 25 April 2017, after Alitalia employees rejected job-cuts proposal aimed at reducing costs, the airline announced that it would start going through a bankruptcy process, beginning with the appointment of an administrator.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-24/alitalia-risks-collapse-after-unions-reject-restructuring-plan|title=Alitalia to Start Bankruptcy Process as Workers Spurn Bailout|date=24 April 2017|website=Bloomberg.com|access-date=27 April 2017}} The Italian government permitted Alitalia to file for bankruptcy on 2 May 2017.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-24/alitalia-risks-collapse-after-unions-reject-restructuring-plan |title=Alitalia to Start Bankruptcy Process as Workers Spurn Bailout |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=24 April 2017 |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=22 May 2017}} On 17 May 2017, after the government had ruled out nationalizing the airline, it was officially put up for sale to be auctioned off.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alitalia-m-a-process-idUSKCN18D2YI|title=Italy kicks off Alitalia sale process|date=17 May 2017|website=Reuters.com|access-date=18 May 2017}} In June, EasyJet expressed interest in purchasing the airline.{{Cite web|url=http://atwonline.com/airlines/easyjet-confirms-interest-alitalia|title=EasyJet confirms interest in Alitalia|website=atwonline.com|language=en|access-date=19 June 2017}}

Ryanair also expressed interest but dropped its bid after the chaos caused by Ryanair's flight cancellations.{{cite news |title=Ryanair drops its bid to buy ailing Alitalia |url=https://www.thelocal.it/20170927/ryanair-drops-its-bid-to-buy-ailing-alitalia |website=Thelocal.it |date=27 September 2017}}

In 2018, Delta Air Lines, EasyJet and Italian railway company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane lodged formal expressions of interest to acquire Alitalia;{{cite news |title=FS launches bid to acquire Alitalia |url=https://www.railjournal.com/financial/fs-launches-bid-acquire-alitalia/ |work=International Railway Journal |date=2 November 2018 |language=en}} talks between the parties were opened in February 2019.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Oliver |title=State rail operator to open Alitalia talks with EasyJet and Delta |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/state-rail-operator-to-open-alitalia-talks-with-easy-455746/ |work=Flight Global |date=13 February 2019}} In March 2019, EasyJet announced that it had withdrawn from the discussions.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Oliver |title=EasyJet pulls out of Alitalia privatisation process |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/easyjet-pulls-out-of-alitalia-privatisation-process-456726/ |work=Flightglobal.com |date=18 March 2019}} After the official visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Rome, China Eastern Airlines expressed interest in Alitalia's rescue plan and could spend up to €100 million in exchange for a 10% stake.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} Delta Air Lines stated to Reuters that it was ready to invest in Alitalia but that a 10% stake was the right way for them to do so.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alitalia-m-a-delta-idUSKBN1WB2V3|title=Delta still eyeing 10% of Alitalia after LATAM stake buy: CEO|date=26 September 2019|work=Reuters|access-date=27 September 2019|language=en}}

On 17 March 2020, the Italian government took full control over the airline after talks with a number of Italian and international companies failed to agree with terms of them being shareholders of the airline.{{Cite web|last=Pallini|first=Thomas|title=Italy just took full ownership of its national airline Alitalia to save it from collapse amid the coronavirus crisis. Here's the carrier's full troubled history.|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/alitalia-nationalized-by-italy-history-2020-3|access-date=2020-10-21|website=Business Insider}}{{Cite web|last=Ben|date=2020-03-17|title=Italian Government Takes Full Control Of Alitalia|url=https://onemileatatime.com/alitalia-italian-government/|access-date=2020-10-21|website=One Mile at a Time|language=en-US}}

In April 2020, the Italian government announced it would take over Alitalia in May since it would not be able to survive the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its own. The fleet was planned to be reduced from 113 aircraft to "more than 90".{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2020-04-23|title=Rome to take full control of Alitalia in June: minister|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-alitalia-idUSKCN2252XQ|access-date=2021-07-12}} The airline also questioned if it should remain in SkyTeam, which it has been a member of since 2001.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In May 2020, USAerospace Partners (headed by Michele Roosevelt Edwards) announced they were still interested in purchasing the airline. The company had offered to purchase it earlier in the year. Edwards stated the airline would fly 150 planes within 5 years, with a mix of Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer.{{Cite web |title=USAerospace partners says still interested in Alitalia |work=Reuters |date=22 May 2021 |access-date=20 June 2021 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/us-alitalia-m-a-usaerospace-idINKBN22Y1FE}}{{Cite web |title=USAerospace, Efromovich interested in Italy's Alitalia {{!}} Macau Business |author= |work=Macau Business |date=22 May 2020 |access-date=20 June 2021 |url= https://www.macaubusiness.com/usaerospace-efromovich-interested-in-italys-alitalia/}}{{Cite web |title=Alitalia, la ricetta Usa per il rilancio: "Più aerei e voli ovunque a prezzi giusti" |trans-title= |last=Berberi |first=Leonard |work=Corriere della Sera |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=20 June 2021 |url= https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/20_giugno_25/alitalia-ricetta-usa-il-rilancio-piu-aerei-voli-ovunque-prezzi-giusti-4149eede-b650-11ea-9dea-5ac3c9ec7c08.shtml |language=it}}{{Cite news |title='Italygate' election conspiracy theory was pushed by two firms led by woman who also falsely claimed $30 million mansion was hers |author=Jon Swaine |author2=Emma Brown |newspaper=Washington Post |date= |access-date=20 June 2021 |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/italygate-michele-edwards-meadows-trump/2021/06/19/2f6314d2-d05f-11eb-8014-2f3926ca24d9_story.html |quote=USAerospace said last year that it was interested in buying the troubled Italian airline Alitalia, and suggested it would “make Alitalia great again.” }}

On 21 May 2020, Alitalia left the SkyTeam Transatlantic Joint Ventures.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-05|title=New Alitalia to Exit SkyTeam Transatlantic Joint Venture, Expand Long-Haul Fleet|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2020/05/04/new-alitalia-to-exit-skyteam-transatlantic-joint-venture-expand-long-haul-fleet/|access-date=2020-07-08|website=AirlineGeeks.com|language=en}}

On 29 June 2020, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that Francesco Caio would be named Chairman and Fabio Lazzerini would be named CEO of the new Alitalia.{{Cite news |url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/economia/news/alitalia_giuseppe_conte_francesco_caio_presidente_ad_fabio_lazzerini_ultime_notizie_29_giugno_2020-5316740.html |title=Alitalia, Conte: "Francesco Caio presidente della nuova società, ad Fabio Lazzerini". Flotta di oltre 100 aerei|date=29 June 2020|work=ilmessaggero.it|access-date=30 June 2020|language=it|trans-title=Alitalia, Conte: «Francesco Caio new Chairman of the company, Fabio Lazzerini CEO». Fleet of more than 100 planes}}

On 24 August 2021, Alitalia announced it would be ending all ticket sales on their website and announced customers who purchased tickets for flights after 15 October 2021 will be refunded.{{Cite web|last=Schlappig|first=Ben|date=2021-08-24|title=Alitalia Will Be Replaced By ITA As Of October 15, 2021|url=https://onemileatatime.com/news/alitalia-replaced-ita/|access-date=2021-08-24|website=One Mile at a Time|language=en-US}}

{{Main|ITA Airways}}

On 10 October 2020, the Italian government signed a decree to allow to reorganize the airline as ITA - Italia Trasporto Aereo S.p.A.{{cite web | url = https://www.rainews.it/dl/rainews/articoli/alitalia-nasce-la-newco-gualtieri-poste-basi-per-il-rilancio-del-trasporto-aereo-d55177b6-b5fe-4b72-8d79-1e0bd3ce7626.html | title = Alitalia, nasce la Newco | date = 10 October 2020 | publisher = Rai News | access-date = 21 October 2020}} On 28 October 2020, it was reported that ITA would buy several assets from Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., including the brand and the flight codes of Alitalia and Alitalia CityLiner, the International Air Transport Association ticketing code (055), the MilleMiglia frequent-flyer program, and airport slots at London Heathrow (68 weekly slots in summer and 65 in winter). The transaction is expected to cost €220 million.{{cite web | url = https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/20_ottobre_28/alitalia-logo-slot-millemiglia-valgono-220-milioni-euro-a73da470-1883-11eb-8b6a-8e17b1e81f26.shtml | title = Alitalia: logo, slot e "MilleMiglia" valgono 220 milioni di euro | date = 28 October 2020 | publisher = Corriere della Sera | access-date = 2 November 2020}}

On 8 January 2021, the European Commission sent a letter to the Italian Permanent Representative to the European Union to launch an “open, transparent, non-discriminatory and unconditional tender” to shed Alitalia assets. The letter consists of 62 requests for clarification, rejecting the idea that the old carrier could sell its belongings to the new company in private negotiation. In the letter, it is stated that the Alitalia brand should not be retained by ITA, since it is an emblematic indicator of continuity (but finally ITA Airways bought on 14 October 2021 the Alitalia brand for 90 million euros). The European Commission suggests that the combined aviation, ground handling, and maintenance businesses should be sold separately to a third party. It also suggests that the slots must be sold, and the MilleMiglia program in its entirety cannot be transferred to the new corporate entity.{{Cite news |url=https://espresso.repubblica.it/plus/articoli/2021/01/19/news/nuova-alitalia-ecco-la-lettera-dell-unione-europea-che-rischia-di-bloccare-l-operazione-1.358634?ref=HEO_RULLO&testata=espresso |title=Nuova Alitalia, ecco la lettera dell'Unione Europea che rischia di bloccare l'operazione|date=19 January 2021|work=espresso.repubblica.it|access-date=22 January 2021|language=it|trans-title=New Alitalia, here is the letter from the European Union that risks blocking the operation}}

The new airline commenced operations on 15 October 2021.

Alitalia's continued loss-making over several years had led to various changes of ownership and status. As of August 2019, the company (Alitalia – Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A.) and its subsidiary Cityliner (Alitalia Cityliner S.p.A.) were in Extraordinary Administration (EA), by virtue of decrees of the Ministry of Economic Development on 2 May and 12 May 2017 respectively, and were declared insolvent on 11 May and 26 May 2017 respectively.{{cite web|date=2 May 2017|title=Alitalia to enter bankruptcy proceedings – BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-39780604|access-date=2 May 2017|publisher=BBC.com}}{{cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/static/upload/ban/bando__en.pdf|title=Call to Express Interest in the Acquisition of Assets|publisher=Extraordinary Commissioners|date=1 August 2017|access-date=16 August 2019|archive-date=23 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423215507/http://corporate.alitalia.it/static/upload/ban/bando__en.pdf|url-status=dead}} Luigi Gubitosi, Prof. Enrico Laghi and Prof. Stefano Paleari were appointed as Extraordinary Commissioners of the Companies in EA.

In terms of ownership, the recent shareholders appeared to be Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (the Italian state railway company) with 35%, the Italian Ministry of Economy maintaining a further 15% and Delta Air Lines providing technical expertise with a minority 10% stake. The now-majority stakeholder Ferrovie dello Stato was reported to be seeking investor(s) to provide a 40% stake.{{cite web|url=https://airlinegeeks.com/2019/07/17/atlantia-to-become-alitalias-majority-stakeholder/|title=Atlantia to Become Alitalia's Majority Stakeholder|publisher=AirlineGeeks.com|date=17 July 2019|access-date=16 August 2019}}

From 2020, Alitalia and its subsidiaries were owned by the Italian government.

Although declared bankrupt, the airline continues to trade, albeit unprofitably. The recent key trends of the airline as Alitalia - Società Aerea Italiana S.p.A., including Alitalia CityLiner, that commenced trading on 1 January 2015, are (as of year ending 31 December):

Historical business and operating results for Alitalia's performance before the 2015 reorganisation, where available, were:

Alitalia's head office is located in Building Alfa at Via Alberto Nassetti in Fiumicino, Province of Rome. The corporate headquarters was designed by AMDL, a Milan-based architecture firm."[http://www.amdl.it/service?p=alitalia-headquarters Alitalia Headquarters]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20160128010308/http://www.amdl.it/service?p=alitalia-headquarters Archive]). AMDL. Retrieved on 31 August 2015. The head office was previously in a building at Piazza Almerico da Schio, also in Fiumicino.{{cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/group/sede_legale.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203193530/http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/group/sede_legale.htm|archive-date=3 February 2012|title=Registered Office|publisher=Alitalia|access-date=24 December 2016|quote=Piazza Almerico da Schio – Palazzina RPU 00054 Fiumicino (RM)}}

File:Alitalia Logo.svg

Alitalia branding was iconic with Italians as the airline adopted the colors of the flag of Italy (green, white, and red). The name Alitalia is an Italian portmanteau of the words ali ('wings') and Italia ('Italy').{{cite web|date=24 March 2011|title=Alitalians Do it Better: The Italian Revival|url=http://www.airport-technology.com/features/feature114082/|access-date=29 January 2012|publisher=airport-technology.com}}{{dubious|reason=The name stems from the earlier ALII, an acronym for Aerolinee Italiane Internazionali.|date=January 2024}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=domain on WP:BLACKLIST.|date=June 2016}}

The iconic livery, designed based on its logo, had the letter A painted on the tailfin of the aircraft, with a hockey stick-style livery design on the body. It was introduced in 1969. Starting with the joint venture with Etihad Airways, the airline redesigned its livery with a warm ivory fuselage design with only the Alitalia A wrapped around the tail and the tail section of the airplane. The final branding and livery design was created by Landor.{{cite web | url = https://landor.com/news/launch-of-new-alitalia-brand-heralds-a-bright-future-for-italian-aviation | title = Launch of new Alitalia brand | publisher = Landor | access-date = 10 August 2020}}

File:McDonnell Douglas DC-9-32, Alitalia JP6241493.jpg|Alitalia McDonnell Douglas DC-9 in the 1957 livery

File:Boeing 747-243B, Alitalia AN0420138.jpg|Alitalia Boeing 747 in the 1969 livery

File:Boeing 777-243-ER, Alitalia AN1758222.jpg|Alitalia Boeing 777 in the 2005 livery

File:Alitalia, EI-DSW, Airbus A320-216 (49575150816).jpg|Alitalia Airbus A320 in the final livery design

A variety of different slogans have been used by Alitalia:

• "Alitalia vola con te" (Alitalia flies with you){{cite web|author1=EDI|title=Alitalia, Vola con te|url=https://www.effettidigitali.it/cms/189-elenco-progetti/741-alitalia-vola-con-te?language_code=eng|access-date=24 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224233517/https://www.effettidigitali.it/cms/189-elenco-progetti/741-alitalia-vola-con-te?language_code=eng|archive-date=24 December 2016|url-status=dead}}
• "Fatti per volare alto" (Made to fly high){{cite web|url=http://www.europelowcost.co.uk/flights/alitalia.aspx |title=Alitalia flights and customer reviews |publisher=Europelowcost |access-date=7 October 2012}}
• "Alitalia, al lavoro per te" (Alitalia, working for you){{cite AV media |author=Alitalia |title=Alitalia, al lovoro per te.|url=http://www.alitalia.com/US_EN/Images/T1_workingforyou_300x150_tcm12-36276.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102120815/http://www.alitalia.com/US_EN/Images/T1_workingforyou_300x150_tcm12-36276.jpg |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=24 December 2016}}
• "Muoviamo chi muove l'Italia" (We move those who move Italy){{cite AV media|last=Varisco|first=Giorgio|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/dysko88/7327094946 |title=Airbus A320-214 Alitalia ("Muoviamo chi muove l'Italia" livery) – Milano Linate |publisher=flickr |date=3 June 2012 |access-date=24 December 2016}}
• "Scegli come volare" (Choose how to fly){{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdhBdNHHjms|author=Alitalia|title=Alitalia Scegli come volare|website=YouTube|language=it|date=4 December 2013|access-date=24 December 2016}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}
• "The pleasure of flying Made in Italy"{{cite web|url=http://www.alitalia.com/en_en/splash-page.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001085714/http://www.alitalia.com/en_en/splash-page.aspx |archive-date=1 October 2012 |title=Alitalia (Home) |publisher=Alitalia |access-date=24 December 2016}}

In 2014, the company adopted a new slogan{{cite web|url=http://www.ansa.it/english/news/business/2014/09/12/alitalians-do-it-better-new-motto_1fb360fc-ff9c-4989-a7c3-aeba777c1803.html|title='Alitalians do it better' new motto. Etihad CEO presents slogan for Alitalia staff to wear.|publisher=ansa.it|date=12 September 2014|language=it}}

• "Where the journey meets the destination." (International advertisement)

{{Main|Financial situation of Alitalia}}

Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. lost money for years owing to problems with pilots and crew members{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} and labour difficulties{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}}, and to government and political interference with attempts to solve them.{{Citation needed|date=August 2012}} The Italian government supported Alitalia many times until the European Union set a moratorium on any support before 2011. Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. did not survive this moratorium. Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. went into liquidation in 2008. The viable parts of Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. were bought by the private company Alitalia - Compagnia Aerea Italiana on 12 December 2008, which started operations on 13 January 2009.

File:Alitalia_B777-243ER_(EI-DBM)_at_Ministro_Pistarini_International_Airport.jpg at Ezeiza Airport, Argentina, during a severe thunderstorm. (2006)]]

File:Alitalia.md82.i-datu.arp.jpg landing at London Heathrow Airport, England. (2007)]]

Alitalia has reported only one year of profit (1998) since its foundation in 1946. Alitalia reported net losses of more than €3.7 billion between 1999 and 2008. Previous state aid to Alitalia included some €1.5 billion in 1998 from the government of premier Romano Prodi. In 2002, Alitalia received a capital increase of €1.432 billion under the government of Silvio Berlusconi. In 2004, the Berlusconi government gave a €400mn 'bridge' loan to Alitalia. In 2005, the capital of Alitalia was increased by €1.6 billion, including an over €500mn bond float issued with the promise of a return to profit in 2006. (Unfortunately the year ended with a loss of €626 million). In 2008, the Italian government gave a bridging loan of €300mn to Alitalia.

The government could in 2006 no longer offer support to the failing airline since it had been forbidden by the European Union to inject new capital. Therefore, as all other attempts to save the company had failed, the Italian government announced its willingness to lead Alitalia towards privatization by lowering its part of ownership in it. Several failed attempts to take over or merge Alitalia were made.

In May 2008, the government issued a decree that would exempt Alitalia from disclosing information on this sale to the market.{{cite news|date=6 June 2008|title=EU to label Italian loan for Alitalia 'illegal'-source|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/alitalia-eu-idUSBRU00657420080606|access-date=23 December 2016}} As a consequence the trade in Alitalia stock at the Borsa Italiana in Milan was halted indefinitely by the stock exchange authorities as of 4 June 2008. Intesa Sanpaolo, as requested by the government, devised a plan in co-operation with the Italian cabinet. The plan was that Alitalia would file for bankruptcy, and thus be protected from its creditors. The next step of the plan was to split Alitalia in two parts, one part containing the debts and less promising parts of the company. After negotiations under supervision of the Italian government Alitalia filed for bankruptcy in August 2008.

In September 2008, Pope Benedict XVI revealed that he was offering his prayer for Alitalia after takeover talks broke down.{{cite news|date=12 September 2008|title=Labour minister fears the worst as Alitalia talks break down|work=The Guardian|agency=Reuters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/sep/12/theairlineindustry|access-date=23 December 2016}}

CAI, Compagnia Aerea Italiana, a consortium of Italian investors, presented a binding offer of €1,100 million to Alitalia's bankruptcy administrator on 30 October 2008 to acquire parts of the airline, pressing ahead despite refusal by some pilots and flight attendants' unions to sign on to the rescue plan. The Italian government and the bankruptcy administrator agreed to the CAI takeover offer on 19 November 2008. The profitable assets of Alitalia - Linee Aeree Italiane S.p.A. were transferred to CAI on 12 December 2008, when CAI paid the offered sum. CAI paid €1.052 billion ($1.33 billion), paying €427 million in cash and taking on €625 million in Alitalia debts. CAI is liable for all Alitalia expenses per 1 December 2008.{{cite news|last=Sisto|first=Alberto|date=1 December 2008|title=Funds delay holds up Alitalia deal closure-source|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL152504620081201/|access-date=23 December 2016}} CAI bought Air One as well.

File:Alitalia Cargo MD-11F Lebeda-1.jpg in 2007]]

Established in 1947, Alitalia Cargo became a member of SkyTeam Cargo in 2001. Destinations concentrated on strategic markets to China, Korea, Japan and the USA. Alitalia Cargo had a fleet of 5 McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter aircraft operating from Malpensa International Airport. Due to financial turmoil, Alitalia cargo division was sold off to new owners and ceased operations on 12 January 2009.

In December 2005, the bankrupt Volare Group (Volareweb, Air Europe) was put up for sale. Alitalia bid to buy the group (other bidders were Air One and Meridiana/Eurofly). Air One went to court claiming that Alitalia could not buy Volare Group as it had received state aid in the past. The TAR (Regional Administrative Tribunal) of Lazio tried to block Alitalia's acquisition of Volare Group but abandoned the attempt, claiming that Alitalia had repaid its €400 million loan and so there would be nothing stopping it from buying Volare Group. Air One also went to court, unsuccessfully. Alitalia created Volare SpA to buy the Volare Group. The airlines were becoming closer and Volare Group had started providing soft maintenance services for some Alitalia aircraft in Milan Malpensa airport. However, the Italian Consiglio di Stato (State Council) on 23 May 2006 has once again blocked the acquisition of the airline. It is not clear what is going to happen as Volare is in serious financial difficulties. On 2 November 2006, TAR court decided that the administrative procedure used by the Italian government to sell Volare to Alitalia was invalid but the selling contract is still valid because the administrative court was declared incompetent about this topic. If Air One wants to obtain Volare, it will have to go to the local civil court and ask it to declare that the selling contract is invalid. Alitalia's offer for 38 million euros was the winning bid. On 15 May 2006, the former Volare Group employees were transferred to Volare SpA (the Alitalia subsidiary).

In December 2005, Italy's antitrust agency fined Alitalia €30,000 for misleading consumers by advertising a round-trip flight tariff while showing only the price of a one-way ticket. The antitrust agency in a statement said the advertisement appeared on Alitalia's web site during May and June 2005.

The European Court of Justice has in July 2008 rejected an appeal by Alitalia against the European Commission in a long-running inquiry into Italian state aid. The airline challenged conditions set by the commission in 2001 for the use of state aid in restructuring the company. The court ruling does not impose any new conditions on Alitalia and the commission considers the case settled. A statement: "the Court of First Instance dismisses Alitalia's action and confirms that the commission's decision of 2001 is valid". The court "confirms the validity of each of the conditions imposed on Alitalia by the commission". These conditions were:

• a requirement that the Italian authorities act as a normal shareholder;
• that cash injections be used only for restructuring Alitalia and not for expanding the business;
• that Alitalia sells its holding in the Hungarian airline Malev;
• and that the state aid take the form of a one-off payment.

{{Main|List of Alitalia destinations}}

Alitalia served 97 destinations (as of October 2019). Alitalia's hub was at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport. Four other Italian airports were focus cities.{{cite web | url = https://www.alitalia.com/it-it/destinazioni#.html | title =Destinazioni e rotte Alitalia | publisher = Alitalia | access-date = 26 August 2020}}

Alitalia had been in the SkyTeam alliance since 2009; Alitalia - LAI originally joined in 2001.{{cite news|last1=Ball|first1=Deborah|last2=Michaels|first2=Daniel|title=Struggling Alitalia Is Further Hit By Attacks, Economic Downturn|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1006898362547051640|access-date=24 December 2016|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=28 November 2001}} Alitalia had arranged code-share agreements with SkyTeam members, allowing passengers to fly to numerous destinations (with some or all segments operated by airlines other than Alitalia) using a single Alitalia ticket.{{cite web|url=http://www.skyteam.com/en/About-us/Our-members/ |title=Our members |publisher=Skyteam.com |access-date=7 October 2012}} In July 2010, Alitalia also joined Air France, KLM and Delta's transatlantic joint venture, meaning that the profits from flights across the Atlantic would be shared between the four airlines.{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49889220100705 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160104133912/http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49889220100705 |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 January 2016 |title=Alitalia joins transatlantic joint venture |publisher=In.reuters.com |date= 5 July 2010|access-date=7 October 2012}} On 21 May 2020, Alitalia left the SkyTeam Transatlantic Joint Venture.

The fidelity program of Alitalia, called MilleMiglia, with more than 6,000,000 customers, was not sold to ITA Airways, and will continue functioning independently.{{cite web| url = https://www.agi.it/economia/news/2021-10-21/programma-mille-miglia-non-si-ferma-alitalia-ita-14279030/| title = Il programma MilleMiglia non si ferma: si possono ancora accumulare punti| date = 21 October 2021}}

Alitalia codeshared with the following airlines:{{cite web|url=http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/alitalia-az |title=Profile on Alitalia |website=CAPA|publisher=Centre for Aviation|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030210218/http://centreforaviation.com/profiles/airlines/alitalia-az |archive-date=30 October 2016|url-status=live}}

{{div col|colwidth=17em}}

• Aeroflot
• Aerolíneas Argentinas{{cite web|url=http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/south-america-and-caribbean/alitalia-aerolineas-argentinas-boost-commercial-agreement/|title=Alitalia and Aerolineas Argentinas to Boost Commercial Agreement|date=25 May 2017|website=Aviationtribune.com}}
• Air Corsica
• Air Europa
• Air France
• Air France Hop
• Air Malta
• Air Serbia
• Air Seychelles
• airBaltic
• All Nippon Airways{{cite news|title=ANA and Alitalia in commercial pact|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ana-and-alitalia-in-commercial-pact-447012/|access-date=27 March 2018|website=Flightglobal.com|date=27 March 2018}}
• Azerbaijan Airlines
• Azul Brazilian Airlines{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases-sai/2019-12-04.html|title=2019-12-04 - Press Releases - Alitalia|website=corporate.alitalia.it|access-date=16 December 2019|archive-date=25 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725035118/http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases-sai/2019-12-04.html|url-status=dead}}
• Bulgaria Air{{cite news|last1=Liu|first1=Jim|title=Alitalia / Bulgaria Air expands codeshare partnership in W17|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/275878/alitalia-bulgaria-air-expands-codeshare-partnership-in-w17/|access-date=23 November 2017|website=Routesonline.com|date=23 November 2017}}
• Blue Air
• China Airlines
• China Eastern Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Continental Airlines
• Croatia Airlines
• Czech Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Etihad Airways
• Gol Transportes Aéreos
• Hainan Airlines{{cite web|url=http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/270988/alitalia-hainan-airlines-launches-codeshare-service-from-jan-2017/ |title=Alitalia / Hainan Airlines launches codeshare service from Jan 2017 |publisher=Routesonline |access-date=22 May 2017}}
• Kenya Airways{{cite news|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/283482/alitalia-kenya-airways-resumes-codeshare-partnership-from-june-2019/|title=Alitalia / Kenya Airways resumes codeshare partnership from June 2019|website=Routesonline|date=21 March 2019}}
• KLM
• Korean Air
• Kuwait Airways
• Luxair
• Middle East Airlines
• Northwest Airlines
• Pegasus Airlines{{cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases-sai/2018-04-13.html|title=Alitalia and Pegasus Airlines enter into a codeshare agreement|website=Corporate.alitalia.it|access-date=2 June 2018|archive-date=9 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191009230458/http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases-sai/2018-04-13.html|url-status=dead}}
• Royal Air Maroc{{cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/it/media/comunicati-sai/2018-05-29.html|title=Alitalia and Royal Air Maroc enter into a codeshare agreement|website=Corporate.alitalia.it|access-date=30 May 2018|archive-date=28 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190228004245/http://corporate.alitalia.it/it/media/comunicati-sai/2018-05-29.html|url-status=dead}}
• Royal Jordanian{{cite web |url=http://www.payloadasia.com/2017/02/alitalia-royal-jordanian-enter-codeshare-agreement/ |title=Alitalia and Royal Jordanian enter into a codeshare agreement |website=Payloadasia.com |date=6 February 2017 |access-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170206123313/http://www.payloadasia.com/2017/02/alitalia-royal-jordanian-enter-codeshare-agreement/ |archive-date=6 February 2017 |url-status=dead }}
• Saudia
• SriLankan Airlines
• TAP Air Portugal
• TAROM
• Uzbekistan Airways{{cite web|url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/273171/alitalia-resumes-uzbekistan-airways-codeshare-service-from-june-2017/|title=Alitalia resumes Uzbekistan Airways codeshare service from June 2017|website=Routesonline}}{{cite news |last1=Liu |first1=Jim |title=Alitalia expands Uzbekistan Airways codeshare from late-July 2019 |url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/285522/alitalia-expands-uzbekistan-airways-codeshare-from-late-july-2019/ |access-date=22 July 2019 |work=Routesonline |date=22 July 2019}}
• Vietnam Airlines
• Virgin Australia
• XiamenAir{{cite web | url=https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/286753/alitalia-and-xiamen-airlines-begins-codeshare-partnership-in-late-sep-2019/ | title=Alitalia and Xiamen Airlines begins codeshare partnership in late-Sep 2019 }}

{{div col end}}

{{See also|Alitalia CityLiner#Fleet}}

File:EI-IMC FCO (30209005115).jpg]]

File:Alitalia, Airbus A320-216, EI-DSL - FCO (25235287916).jpg]]

File:I-BIXP - Airbus A321-112 - Alitalia (31797985201).jpg]]

File:EI-EJM KJFK (37103765503).jpg]]

File:Alitalia Boeing 777-3Q8(ER) EI-WLA departing JFK Airport.jpg]]

Before ceasing operations, the Alitalia fleet consisted of the following aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://www.alitalia.com/en_en/fly-alitalia/alitalia-world/fleet.html|title=The Fleet|website=Alitalia}}{{cite web|url=https://www.azfleet.info/flotta-attuale|title=Flotta attuale|publisher=AZ Fleet|access-date = 25 July 2020}}

Between 2009 and 2011, Alitalia renewed its fleet with 34 new aircraft, while 26 older planes were retired. The renewal process ended in early 2013. These new planes were not owned by Alitalia itself but were leased mostly from Aircraft Purchase Fleet (APF), an Irish leasing company created by former Air One owner Carlo Toto primarily to purchase the new Alitalia fleet. Following the Air One merger, the entire fleet that was not already leased from other lessors, plus the former Air One fleet that was owned by Air One outright, came under the ownership of APF, a subsidiary of Toto's Italian conglomerate Toto Holding. The majority of the fleet was on the Irish registry instead of the Italian registry.

During its restructuring in 2020 under Italian government ownership, Alitalia planned to reduce its fleet of 113 aircraft to "more than 90". It planned to acquire the Airbus A320-200 and possibly the Airbus A320neo; for long-haul service, the airline was to buy the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, specifically the 787-8 and 787-9 variants, although Airbus offered the A330neo and A350 XWB. The airline intended to secure list price discounts of at least 50% and up to 70%, and negotiations with the manufacturers were ongoing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/economia/aziende/20_agosto_14/alitalia-la-newco-aerei-airbus-boeing-ultima-generazione-3e0e3ef6-dd8c-11ea-a581-35064321fed0.shtml|title=Alitalia, per la newco aerei Airbus e Boeing di ultima generazione|first=Leonard|last=Berberi|date=14 August 2020|website=Corriere della Sera}}

{{Main|List of aircraft operated by Alitalia}}

• Alitalia during the 1960s led European airlines into the Jet Age and it became the first airline in Europe to adopt an all jet aircraft fleet in 1969.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yesterdaysairlines.com/1/post/2015/02/alitalia-into-the-jet-age.html|title=Alitalia: Into the Jet-Age|website=YESTERDAY'S AIRLINES}}
• The Boeing 767-300ER was introduced to the Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane fleet in 1994 in a bid to restructure its loss making international network. The first two aircraft joined the fleet in January 1995 and were wet-leased from AWAS whilst Alitalia sought to negotiate new pilot contracts and gain its own an ETOPS certification. To comply with European Union rules on long term wet-leasing, a deal with Monarch Airlines was negotiated in which the UK carrier would provide maintenance services and operate the aircraft on its own Air Operators' Certificate on behalf of Alitalia. Therefore, a third British registered 767 registered G-OITC joined the fleet from AWAS via Monarch and the original two aircraft were re-registered as G-OITA and G-OITB.{{Cite web |last=1995-07-05T00:00:00+01:00 |title=Monarch to take on Alitalia leases |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/monarch-to-take-on-alitalia-leases/12526.article |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Flight Global |language=en}} Later in 1995, three more aircraft, leased from SALE in cooperation with AWAS, joined the fleet on wet-lease from Monarch - bringing the total number operated to six aircraft.{{Cite web |last=1995-08-16T00:00:00+01:00 |title=More Alitila 767s |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/more-alitila-767s/15160.article |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=Flight Global |language=en}} Between November 1996 and April 1997, all aircraft were moved to the Italian aircraft register. The last aircraft retired after 17 years of service in 2012. The last 767 flight was AZ845 from Accra via Lagos to Rome on 25 October 2012.[http://www.airlinehubbuzz.com/alitalia-767s-leave-fleet/ airlinehubbuzz.com – Alitalia 767s leave the fleet] 26 October 2012
• The McDonnell Douglas MD-82 was introduced to the Alitalia-Linee Aeree Italiane fleet in 1983, and then retired in 2012 after 29 years of service. The last flight with this aircraft type operated on 27 October 2012 using the plane with registration I-DATI on flight AZ1740 (Catania-Milan-Linate). The same aircraft on 17 December 2012 operated a memorial flight from Rome-Fiumicino Airport to Trieste Airport with journalists and ex-Alitalia's CEO Andrea Ragnetti on board. During landing, I-DATI was supported by Frecce Tricolori; they did a show for the occasion.{{Cite web|date=2012-12-17|title=L'addio di Alitalia agli Md80|url=http://www.rainews.it/it/news.php?newsid=172777|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812112126/http://www.rainews.it/it/news.php?newsid=172777|archive-date=12 August 2014|website=Rai News24|language=it|publication-place=Trieste|access-date=16 April 2021}}

File:Alitalia (Jeep Renegade Livery), EI-DSW, Airbus A320-216 (27832499604).jpg

• In mid-2009, a Boeing 767-300ER (EI-DBP) was painted in the SkyTeam livery.{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/SkyTeam-%28Alitalia%29/Boeing-767-35H-ER/1540658/L/|title = EI-DBP|date = 31 May 2009|access-date = 22 January 2014|website = Airliners.net}}
• On 19 July 2010, an Airbus A320-200 (EI-DSA), which had previously been in the Air One livery, was painted in a special "Alitalia.com" livery.{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/Alitalia/Airbus-A320-216/1752553/L/&sid=0897bdab2468597ff94710c7e280b22d|title = EI-DSA|date = 24 July 2010|access-date = 22 January 2014|first= Gianluca|last=Mantellini|website = Airliners.net}} This plane is now wearing Alitalia-SAI livery.
• In March 2012, an Embraer E-190-100LR (EI-RND) was delivered in the SkyTeam livery.{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/SkyTeam-%28Alitalia%29/Embraer-ERJ-190-100LR-190LR/2345055/&sid=42f5f7405ae4a1f662853232254d9196|title = EI-RND|date = 17 July 2013|access-date = 22 January 2014|website = Airliners.net|first=Mirko|last=Krogmann}}
• In March 2012, a Boeing 777-200ER (EI-DDH) was painted in the SkyTeam livery.{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/SkyTeam-%28Alitalia%29/Boeing-777-243-ER/2372571/&sid=02e066a38a210d8c41d92c39428f6257|title = EI-DDH|date = 27 December 2013|access-date = 22 January 2014|website = Airliners.net|first= Giorgio |last=Parolini}}
• In April 2012, an Airbus A321-100 (EI-IXI) was painted in the historic livery of Freccia Alata-Linee Aeree Italiane, Alitalia's predecessor. This plane is now scrapped.{{cite web|url = https://www.flickr.com/photos/153202912@N04/36997048001|title = Alitalia A321 EI-IXI being scrapped at Kemble 2015 |access-date = 9 July 2019|website = www.flickr.com|date = 4 June 2015 }}{{cite web|url = http://www.airliners.net/photo/Alitalia/Airbus-A321-112/2378912/&sid=1a8a546bdf20579560f75a81406475c8|title = EI-IXI|date = 25 September 2013|access-date = 22 January 2014|website = Airliners.net}}
• In November 2013, an Airbus A330-200 (EI-DIR), which had previously been in the Air One livery, was painted in the SkyTeam livery.
• In March 2014, an Airbus A330-200 (EI-EJG) and an Airbus A320-200 (EI-DSM) were painted in a special livery dedicated to Calabria. EI-EJG is now wearing Alitalia-SAI livery and EI-DSM is sold to Congo Airways.
• In April 2014, an Airbus A319-100 (EI-IMI) was painted in a special livery dedicated to Friuli-Venezia Giulia. From August 2015 this plane is wearing Alitalia-SAI livery.
• In October 2014, an Airbus A330-200 (EI-EJM) was painted in a special livery, in cooperation with its partner Etihad Airways, dedicated to Expo 2015. This plane is now wearing Alitalia-SAI livery.
• In December 2014, an Airbus A320-200 (EI-DSW) was painted in a Jeep Renegade Livery.{{cite web|url =https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alitalia_(Jeep_Renegade_Livery),_EI-DSW,_Airbus_A320-216_(27832499604).jpg|title =Alitalia (Jeep Renegade Livery), EI-DSW, Airbus A320-216 (27832499604).jpg|access-date = 9 July 2019|website = Wikimedia Commons|date =28 June 2016}} The plane is now wearing Alitalia-SAI livery.

File:Aeroporto_di_Firenze_-_Alitalia_Airport_check-in_counters.jpg area in Florence Airport.]]

Alitalia had four classes of service:{{cite web|url=https://www.alitalia.com/en_en/fly-alitalia/travel-classes.html|title=Travel Classes|publisher=Alitalia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326164557/https://www.alitalia.com/en_en/fly-alitalia/travel-classes.html|archive-date=26 March 2016|url-status=dead|access-date=24 December 2016}} Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class Medium Haul and Magnifica.{{cite web|url=https://www.alitalia.com/en_it/fly-alitalia/travel-classes/business-long-haul.html |title=Business Class Long Haul |publisher=Alitalia |access-date=24 December 2016}} Only long haul aircraft offered WiFi and seat-back entertainment.

The airline's frequent-flyer program was named "MilleMiglia" (thousand miles), and was part of the SkyTeam alliance program, which allowed passengers to collect miles and redeem them with free tickets across the whole alliance.{{cite web|url=http://www.alitalia.com/US_EN/millemiglia/index.aspx|title=Welcome on board the MilleMiglia program|publisher=Alitalia|access-date=30 January 2012}}

It also granted access to Alitalia's Privilege clubs, Ulisse, Freccia Alata, and Freccia Alata Plus, depending on the number of miles collected in a year, with various advantages depending on the club. These clubs gave access to SkyTeam Elite (Ulisse) and SkyTeam Elite+ (Freccia Alata, Freccia Alata plus).

On 3 February 2015, Etihad Airways acquired a 75 per cent stake in Alitalia Loyalty S.p.A., the owner and operator of MilleMiglia, with Alitalia retaining the remaining 25 per cent stake. Alitalia Loyalty was now part of Global Loyalty Company (GLC), a loyalty and lifestyle company that aimed to allow Etihad Airways and its partners to target the global loyalty market more effectively. GLC also consists of Etihad Airways' Etihad Guest. Together, Etihad Guest, topbonus, JetPrivilege and MilleMiglia had a combined total of 14 million members worldwide.{{cite press release |title=Etihad Airways acquires majority stake in Alitalia's MilleMiglia frequent flyer program|url=http://corporate.alitalia.com/static/upload/da7/da72a16ff9dd9e529215ea82d5df9a291.pdf|date=3 February 2015|publisher=Alitalia|access-date=24 December 2016}}

However, on 18 December 2018, Alitalia and Global Loyalty Company LLC signed an agreement under which Global Loyalty Company LLC sold the 75% of Alitalia Loyalty S.p.A. to the Italian carrier.{{Cite web|url=http://corporate.alitalia.it/en/media/press-releases-sai/2018-12-18.html|title=The MilleMiglia programme is 100% owned by Alitalia again.|website=corporate.alitalia.it|access-date=22 July 2019}}

File:EI-EIB (34413299413).jpg

Eight Alitalia flights were hijacked, and 29 aircraft accidents or incidents involved Alitalia planes.{{cite web|title=Alitalia|url=https://asn.flightsafety.org/database/operators/6536|access-date=23 December 2016|website=Aviation Safety Database}}

Two Alitalia pilots, Alberto Nassetti and Pier Paolo Racchetti, were killed while acting as passengers during the 1994 A330 test flight.{{cite web|author=European Parliament|date=30 July 1998|title=Subject: Air crash at Blagnac (France)|url=http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//TEXT+WQ+E-1998-2512+0+DOC+XML+V0//EN|access-date=23 December 2016|quote=The seven victims included two Italian pilots working for Alitalia, Alberto Nassetti and Pier Paolo Racchetti, who were in Toulouse for a five-day commercial training programme at the headquarters of the French company.}} Alitalia dedicated two Boeing 767 aircraft to the lost pilots.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

• On 30 June 1982, an Alitalia Boeing 747 with 340 passengers was hijacked by a Sri Lankan man, Sepala Ekanayake. He demanded $300,000, for the plane to fly to Bangkok-Don Muang International Airport and for his wife and son to be brought to Bangkok. After the hijacking Sepala Ekanayake was sent to Sri Lanka where he was arrested and sentenced to prison.{{ASN accident|type=Hijacking|id=19820630-0|access-date=23 December 2016}}
• On 24 April 2011, an attempt was made to hijack Alitalia Flight 329 en route from Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France, to Fiumicino Airport, Rome, Italy, and divert it to Tripoli International Airport, Libya. The hijacker, reported to be an advisor to the Kazakhstan delegation to UNESCO, was subdued by cabin crew and other passengers. On 5 May 2017, cabin crew member Ermenegildo Rossi received the Gold Medal for Civil Merit for his role in subduing the hijacker. The hijacker was arrested and taken into custody after the aircraft made a safe landing at Rome-Fiumicino.{{cite news |url=http://avherald.com/h?article=43b7e3ef&opt=1 |title=Accident: Alitalia A321 enroute on Apr 24th 2011, attempted hijack |first=Simon |last=Hradecky |work=Aviation Herald |date=24 April 2011 |access-date=25 April 2011}}

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