ITA Airways Announces Direct Flights from Rome to Houston – Will Your Country Be Next?

Published on December 3, 2025

ITA Airways, the flag carrier of Italy, is set to strengthen its transatlantic offerings with a new direct flight route connecting Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). This exciting new service marks the first-ever direct connection between these two major cities. With the launch of this route, ITA Airways will broaden its network, adding Houston as its ninth North American destination. The airline has already commenced ticket sales for the inaugural flight, which is scheduled for May 1, 2026.

A New Gateway to the United States

The launch of the FCO-IAH route represents a significant milestone for ITA Airways. The airline is making strategic moves to expand its presence across the Atlantic by introducing a service between Italy’s capital city and Texas’s largest city. The route is expected to offer passengers more flexibility when traveling to the United States, especially for those looking to connect onward to other destinations within the country or even in Canada.

The inaugural flight on May 1, 2026, will kickstart a regular schedule with three weekly flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. This limited schedule will provide the airline with an opportunity to evaluate initial passenger demand. The outbound flight from Rome will depart at 10:20 AM, landing in Houston at 3:20 PM local time. The return journey will leave Houston at 6:10 PM, reaching Rome at 11:50 AM the next day.

Expanding Flight Frequency in Summer 2026

Starting June 1, 2026, the airline will increase the frequency of the route to five weekly flights. These will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, continuing throughout the IATA summer season until October 24, 2026. Depending on demand and operational requirements, ITA Airways may consider further adjustments to the frequency of the flights as needed. The new service is expected to cater to both leisure and business travelers seeking a convenient, direct connection between Rome and Houston.

State-of-the-Art Aircraft: The Airbus A330-900neo

The new route will be operated by ITA Airways’ fleet of Airbus A330-900neo (A330neo) aircraft, which are the airline’s newest widebody models. The A330neo offers an advanced flying experience for passengers, combining comfort and efficiency. These aircraft have a capacity of 291 seats, divided across three classes: 237 economy seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 30 business class seats. The business class cabin is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, allowing direct aisle access for each passenger, ensuring a high level of comfort and convenience. ITA Airways currently has a fleet of 11 A330neos, with an additional six units expected to be delivered in the near future.

The Airbus A330-900neo is designed to provide greater fuel efficiency and a reduced environmental impact compared to older aircraft models. This environmentally friendly choice reflects ITA Airways’ commitment to modernizing its fleet and offering passengers a smoother, more sustainable travel experience.

Boosting North American Connectivity with Codeshares

The launch of the Rome-Houston route is a major step in ITA Airways’ strategy to enhance connectivity between Europe and North America. To ensure seamless travel connections for passengers traveling beyond Houston, the airline has entered into codeshare agreements with two prominent North American carriers: United Airlines and Air Canada. Both of these airlines are members of the Star Alliance, providing passengers with enhanced travel options to connect to a range of other destinations across the United States and Canada.

In addition to the codeshare agreements, ITA Airways is also set to join Star Alliance itself. This will be a significant milestone for the airline, further expanding its network and providing even more travel options for its passengers. ITA Airways’ integration into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year has paved the way for its future inclusion in the alliance, which is expected to be completed by early 2026. The Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a 41% stake in ITA Airways, with plans to increase that share to 90% in the coming year, will strengthen the carrier’s global position.

Rome Fiumicino Airport: A Key Hub for ITA Airways

With the addition of the new Houston route, ITA Airways aims to bolster Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) as a key hub for both short-haul and long-haul flights. FCO serves as the airline’s main hub, with an extensive network of connections to destinations across Italy and Europe. The new route to Houston is part of a broader strategy to make Rome a major point of transit for passengers traveling between Europe and North America.

Joerg Eberhart, the CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, highlighted the importance of this new route, noting that it would position the airline as a leading carrier for travel between the United States and Italy. He emphasized that the airline is keen to serve both the Italian community in North America and other major international communities traveling to and from the Mediterranean region.

ITA Airways’ Growing North American Presence

In addition to launching the Houston route, ITA Airways has been steadily expanding its presence in North America. The airline already operates year-round flights to several major U.S. cities, including New York (JFK), Boston (BOS), Miami (MIA), Los Angeles (LAX), and San Francisco (SFO). During the summer months, ITA also offers seasonal service to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD). In addition to its U.S. destinations, ITA Airways flies to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Canada.

The airline’s ongoing expansion in North America is a testament to the growing demand for direct flights between Italy and major North American cities. As ITA Airways continues to improve its network and flight offerings, travelers can expect even more convenient options for their journeys.

Conclusion

The introduction of the Rome-Houston route by ITA Airways marks an exciting new chapter in the airline’s growth and expansion. With the launch of this new service, ITA Airways will enhance its presence in North America, providing passengers with more options for direct flights to Italy and beyond. The combination of modern aircraft, strategic codeshare agreements, and an expanding network of destinations ensures that ITA Airways is well-positioned to become a major player in the transatlantic travel market.