ITA Airways unveiled New Flight Services from Chicago to Rome

Monday, April 8, 2024

ITA Airways inaugurated its direct flight service between Chicago O’Hare and Rome Fiumicino today. The first flight took off from Chicago at 3:00 p.m. local time, using the airline’s newest Airbus A330neo. This aircraft represents the forefront of ITA Airways’ fleet, showcasing the latest advancements in technology, digital features, innovation, operational efficiency, and Italian design.

To mark the introduction of this new international route, a ribbon-cutting event was organized at the departure gate of Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The ceremony featured Emiliana Limosani, Chief Commercial Officer of ITA Airways and CEO of Volare, along with Thomas Botzios, the Consul General of Italy in Chicago, and Amber Ritter, the Managing Deputy Commissioner and Chief Commercial Officer for the Chicago Department of Aviation, as distinguished guests.

“We are proud to be here today and launch the new nonstop flight between Chicago and Rome.” said Emiliana Limosani Chief Commercial Officer ITA Airways and CEO Volare “This new destination, the seventh in North America, further enriches the intercontinental network of ITA Airways and consolidates our expansion towards the United States, which is the first international market for our Company. The multiple services from Rome Fiumicino connecting to New York, Boston, Washington, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and the newly opened Chicago enhance our efforts to be the reference carrier from the United States to Italy and via Rome to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community, the international business communities in North America as well as the major communities in the Mediterranean region”.

“As Consul General of Italy in Chicago, I am very happy and grateful to ITA Airways for this new ChicagoRome connection, which contributes to bringing Italy even closer to the heart of the United States, ensuring an ideal territorial contiguity between Rome and the American Midwest.” stated Thomas Botzios, Consul General of Italy in Chicago “An area that sees the presence of some of the main Italian industrial Groups, and a network of over a hundred SMEs that embody Italian entrepreneurship and its ability to combine innovation and tradition. I am sure that the over thirty thousand Italians and the one and a half million Americans of Italian heritage living in the Midwest, represented here by Comites, NIAF, and JCCIA, are eager to travel this new route that evokes Italy since the very first glance on such beautiful blue aircraft.”

“On behalf of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the entire City of Chicago, I thank our partners at ITA Airways for their investment in the Chicago market,” said Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee of the CDA, which owns and operates Chicago O’Hare and Midway International Airports. “O‘Hare is serving its largest number of Italian destinations ever in 2024, and this new route will help connect the people of Chicago to all of the rich culture and history that Rome has to offer.”

“Chicago’s enduring status as a world-class destination is thanks, in large part, to our two airports and their connections to the world,” said Rich Gamble, Interim President and CEO, Choose Chicago. “We are thrilled to celebrate the launch of ITA Airways new direct service to Rome, and we look forward to welcoming more visitors from Italy and across Europe to explore everything that Chicago has to offer.”

This Summer 2024, ITA Airways is set to introduce a new direct flight connecting Chicago and Rome, starting with six weekly flights and increasing to a daily service from June. Additionally, this summer will see the launch of another nonstop route from Toronto to Rome on May 10th, as part of the airline’s expansion. At the season’s peak, ITA Airways will offer a total of 140 weekly flights connecting North America and Italy. The Chicago route marks the airline’s seventh North American connection, highlighting its significance in ITA Airways’ strategy. The United States stands as the airline’s foremost strategic market outside of Italy, and this new route aims to enhance access for both direct and connecting travelers, catering to both leisure and business sectors.

This expansion into Chicago is part of ITA Airways’ broader strategy to enhance its intercontinental network during the summer, featuring 57 destinations including 16 domestic, 26 international, and 15 intercontinental locations. The airline will introduce nonstop flights from Rome Fiumicino to various destinations across North America, Africa, and the Middle East, including new routes to Toronto, Riyadh, Accra, Kuwait City, Dakar, and Jeddah over the coming months. Peak summer will also see the addition of 11 seasonal routes to sought-after Mediterranean locations like Greece, Spain, Croatia, and Italian islands.

The addition of these new routes for Summer 2024 complements ITA Airways’ existing long-haul flights to cities such as New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, and New Delhi. Since its inception on October 15, 2021, with a fleet of 52 aircraft, ITA Airways has pursued the ambition of representing the excellence of Made in Italy. This vision is brought to life through partnerships with iconic Italian brands for crew uniforms, aircraft interiors, and gourmet in-flight meals, showcasing Italy’s renowned craftsmanship and culinary heritage. Emphasizing sustainability, ITA Airways is committed to renewing its fleet with advanced, efficient Airbus aircraft, currently numbering 87, including 44 of the latest models.

« Back to Page

• ITA Airways to launch first direct entry route into Toronto with new flight

• ITA Airways Partners with Unisys for Seamless Freight Booking

• ITA Airways add Early Morning Flight from Tel Aviv to Rome for Summer 2024

• ITA Airways Launches Comfort Economy Class on Long-Haul Routes for Summer 2024

• ITA Airways Accelerates Fleet Expansion with Four New-Generation Airbus Aircraft