Reposted by The Up Front
We have a million questions, and a 5000-word article, for Etihad’s new seats, lounges and overall brand redesign.
Is “sand” too generic? Does “superstructure” say “Abu Dhabi”?
Is deep jade too Cathay?
Is Vantage First enough of a first class? Is Opera’s row 1 seat?
Is Beyond Borders even new?
theupfront.media
What Etihad’s new seats, new lounge concepts and an evolving design language tell us about first and business class
Is “sand” too generic? Does “superstructure” say “Abu Dhabi”? Is deep jade too Cathay? Is Vantage First enough of a first class? Is Opera’s row 1 seat? Is Beyond Borders even new? Etihad’s latest desi...
![Screenshot. Text: Deutsche Lufthansa AG’s stake in ITA Airways is set to increase by 49 percent to 90 percent
Second block of shares to be acquired for 325 million euros
Completion of the majority acquisition expected in the first quarter of 2027
ITA Airways is already firmly integrated into the Lufthansa Group as its fifth network airline in many areas
Frankfurt, 12 May 2026 - The Deutsche Lufthansa AG will exercise its option to acquire a majority stake in ITA Airways in June of this year. This will increase its stake from 41 to 90 percent. The Supervisory Board approved this decision by the Lufthansa Executive Board at its meeting yesterday.
The acquisition of the additional 49 percent stake will take place at a previously agreed purchase price of 325 million euros. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals, primarily from the European Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027. Following this, ITA Airways will be fully integrated into the Lufthansa Group, both organizationally and financially.
Since 17 January 2025, Deutsche Lufthansa AG has held a 41 percent stake in ITA Airways as a minority shareholder. Upon the conclusion of the purchase agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) in June 2023, an annually recurring option for Deutsche Lufthansa AG to acquire an additional 49 percent stake in ITA Airways was agreed upon. This option is now being exercised along with the accompanying acquisition of a majority stake in the Italian flagship carrier. The seller is the MEF, which will initially continue to hold the remaining 10 percent of the shares in ITA Airways. In 2028, this tranche may also be acquired by Lufthansa.
[Truncated: link at https://newsroom.lufthansagroup.com/en/lufthansa-exercises-option-to-acquire-a-majority-stake-in-ita-airways/]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:6neozl3pgi7pn2byzjvggpas/bafkreifbpliff6t3ach2ww2lgj5slcshxmbmczllp77t5qfqakv6mwuxui)
