ITA Airways getting closer to Star Alliance: a new A321neo will be the first to wear the alliance's livery

It will be an Airbus A321neo wearing the Star Alliance livery for the first time in ITA Airways' history, the white one with Star lettering and the black tail with the Star symbol.

The plane is currently being assembled at Airbus factories and Is expected to be delivered to the Italian carrier in early 2026 along with a ninth of the same type, thus completing the order for nine machines that ITA had placed with the European manufacturer. Once registered, the aircraft, which will be leased from Air Leasing Corporation (ALC), will carry the markings EI-HXI.

In these days, at the Airbus factory in Hamburg-Finkenwerder, the tail of the aircraft arrived. (which is manufactured elsewhere, in Spain) which bears the two letters 'XI' at the top and bears the Star symbol on a black background. It was photographed by Tobias Gudat, who posted the picture on his X profile. The entry into service of the A321 is expected to celebrate ITA's full-fledged entry into Star Alliance, which is expected in the first half of next year.

Currently, in ITA Airways' fleet, the A350 in question and an all-white A320ceo with the words 'Born in 2021' are the only two aircraft to sport a 'special livery.' However, Another A350-900, an A321neo and an A220-100 bear the words 'Inspired by Alitalia' on the rear and upper part of the fuselage, just forward of the tail, while An A320ceo and an A320neo carry the '2026 Winter Olympics' sticker promoting the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics and an A319 still mounts the '160 years 1864-2024 Italian Red Cross' sticker, celebrating 160 years of the Italian Red Cross.

Previously, there had been another all-white A220 bearing the words 'Born to be sustainable,' as well as an A320ceo (now withdrawn from service) in white and blue with the 'I am Friuli Venezia Giulia' inscription, probably the most beautiful of any we have had to date.