ITA Airways has opened sales for a new intercontinental service linking Rome Fiumicino with Houston, marking the first direct connection between the two cities. The route will debut on 1 May 2026 and forms one of the key additions to the airline’s Summer 2026 long-haul programme.
The service will initially operate three times per week in May before increasing to five weekly flights from June through late October. All flights will be operated with the Airbus A330-900, the carrier’s newest long-haul flagship, featuring advanced technology, improved efficiency and a cabin designed around Italian style.
With Houston, ITA Airways expands its network to nine North American destinations—the airline’s most important international market. The carrier already serves New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington D.C., with Chicago and Toronto added seasonally.
Passengers travelling via Rome will benefit from extensive connections across Italy: ITA Airways serves 16 destinations from Fiumicino and a further 12 from Milan Linate.
CEO Joerg Eberhart said the new route strengthens both the airline’s U.S. footprint and its Rome hub. “Long-haul operations are essential for profitability and help feed our short-haul network,” he said, noting the service comes ahead of ITA Airways’ expected entry into Star Alliance in 2026 as part of its integration into the Lufthansa Group.
Houston officials hailed the launch as a milestone for the region. Mayor John Whitmire said the direct Rome link will deepen commercial, diplomatic and cultural ties with Italy. Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports, called it “a defining moment” that will drive new investment and tourism.
U.S. Ambassador to Italy Tilman J. Fertitta, a native Texan, said the service will “strengthen the economic links that drive mutual understanding and shared prosperity.”