Saudia and ITA Airways Announce Loyalty Program Partnership

Saudia and ITA Airways have expanded their codeshare agreement and announced a partnership between their frequent flyer programs, 'AlFursan' and 'Volare.' This collaboration enhances the existing codeshare relationship, offering passengers the ability to earn and redeem points across both airlines.

The partnership includes frequent flyer benefits, enabling travelers to enjoy status perks and earn points seamlessly. Additionally, passengers can now book single tickets for itineraries involving both airlines, facilitating easier travel and baggage handling.

This announcement coincides with ITA Airways' new flight route from Rome to Riyadh, which had its first flight on June 2nd. The route will be followed by flights to Kuwait City, Jeddah, and Dubai in the coming months. The integration of the 'AlFursan' and 'Volare' programs will provide travelers with increased travel options and enhanced benefits when flying between Italy and Saudi Arabia.

Travelers on both airlines can look forward to perks like priority check-in, additional baggage allowances, and the ability to upgrade their class using earned points. This partnership is particularly beneficial for SkyTeam Elite and Elite Plus members, offering them a more streamlined and rewarding travel experience. Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways, emphasized the benefits of this partnership for frequent travelers, noting the significant value it brings to their loyalty programs.

Moreover, passengers can take advantage of a transit visa to explore Saudi Arabia for up to 96 hours, thanks to the collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia. This initiative aims to boost tourism and connectivity in the Kingdom, aligning with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 goals of increasing air connectivity to over 250 destinations and attracting 150 million visits by 2030. Amr Bakor, Head of Program Design and Airline Loyalty at Saudia, expressed enthusiasm for the enhanced cooperation, highlighting the increased connectivity and wider range of destinations available to travelers.

In addition to the Middle Eastern routes, ITA Airways is expanding its long-haul network with new flights to North America, including Toronto and Chicago. This expansion is part of ITA Airways' broader strategy to grow its international presence, with a fleet of Airbus A321neos serving these new routes.

Overall, the partnership between Saudia and ITA Airways signifies a major step in enhancing the travel experience for passengers, offering them more options, benefits, and seamless travel between Europe and the Middle East.