ITA Airways, Italy’s flag carrier, launched the first-ever nonstop flight between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), opening up Italy to travelers from Houston and the surrounding region, and establishing a direct link between two major global cities. The new service expands the airline’s North American network to nine destinations.
The service strengthens ITA Airways’ position in the U.S. — its most important market outside Italy — while closing a longstanding gap in transatlantic connectivity. Houston, the fourth-largest city in the U.S. and a global energy hub, has historically lacked nonstop service to Rome. The new route is expected to support growing business, tourism, and family travel between the two markets. Launch events were held in both Rome and Houston
with government officials, airport leaders, and company executives, underscoring the route’s economic and cultural significance.
“Houston is a key addition for our airline, representing a further growth in our long haul-network, on which we intend to build our future development. It’s a vibrant city that combines its role as a global energy capital with a growing arts and cultural scene. The new service opens up more of Italy to Houstonians and the wider Gulf Coast region, providing a direct gateway to Rome, and onward connections across Italy and Europe,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways. “We are proud of our service, where travelers can begin to experience Italy from the moment they depart Houston.”
“It is with great excitement and pride that today I personally welcomed all our passengers departing on ITA Airways’ first Rome to Houston flight,” said Sandro Pappalardo, Chairman of ITA Airways. “This route is much more than a new connection for us.It brings people and cultures closer together and reinforces our role as ambassador of Made in Italy worldwide. It also enables the many Italian-Americans in Texas to reconnect with their roots, offering a direct link to their loved ones and creating new opportunities for meaningful connections.”
“This is a great day for Houstonians. As a Texan and as the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, I’m thrilled by ITA Airways’ new direct route between Houston and Rome,” said Tilman J. Fertitta, U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino.
“This connection strengthens the economic ties that drive mutual understanding and shared prosperity, and I’m grateful to ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart, Mayor John Whitmire, and all the partners who helped make it possible.”
“We warmly welcome the new ITA Airways service from Fiumicino to Houston,” said Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma. “It is a strategic route for expanding the intercontinental network of the Capital’s airport and, for the first time, establishes a direct flight between Italy and one of the most dynamic metropolitan areas in the United States — a key hub in the economic, energy, industrial, and technological sectors, with strongdemand from both business and leisure travelers. With this new route, the number of North American airports connected to Fiumicino will rise to 22 in Summer 2026, further strengthening the deep economic, cultural, and industrial ties between Italy and the United States and helping to create new opportunities for exchange, investment, and collaboration between two historically allied and increasingly interconnected countries”.
“Houston has long been an international city with deep ties to Italy through business and culture, and today we strengthen those bonds in a powerful new way,” said John Whitmire, Mayor of Houston. “This first-ever nonstop flight to Rome connects two global cities known for innovation, energy and history. It opens new doors for trade, tourism and investment, while making Houston even more accessible as we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup. This route is a win for travelers, a win for our economy and another signal that Houston has been discovered and continues to lead on the global stage.”
“Launching nonstop service between Houston and Rome closes a longstanding gap in global connectivity and reflects growing demand for international service,” said Jim Szczesniak, Director of Aviation for Houston Airports. “This route strengthens IAH’s role as a premier global gateway, connecting millions of passengers to destinations across five continents. We’re proud to welcome ITA Airways and greet travelers with Houston- friendly hospitality in a world-class, organized and functional environment.”
Houston, and more broadly Texas, represents a market of primary strategic importance, underpinned by a highly developed industrial base and strong potential for business travel between Italy and the United States. Houston stands out as a global hub for the energy and aerospace industries, with a particular focus on key sectors such as aerospace, defense, and government. The region is also distinguished by the presence of major corporate groups, contributing to steady and well-established demand.
The inaugural flights were operated with a next-generation Airbus A330-900, a benchmark in technology, digitalization, innovation, efficiency, and Made in Italy design. With the launch of the new route, Houston joins ITA Airways’ North American network alongside New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago, and Toronto. The new connection will initially operate three weekly frequencies, increasing to five from June 1, 2026, and will offer convenient connections to numerous Italian destinations through the airline’s extensive domestic network from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate, reinforcing ITA Airways’ role as a bridge between North America, Italy, and Europe.
ITA Airways aims to serve as a gateway to Italian excellence, promoting culture, style, gastronomy, and hospitality. As an ambassador of Made in Italy worldwide, the airline places typically Italian warmth, elegance, and hospitality at the heart of its flight experience, offering passengers a journey that reflects the country’s identity and values.
Among the new features of the summer season inspired by Italian identity, a new onboard menu has been available on flights departing from Italy since April. It combines quality, aesthetics, and sustainability, highlighting carefully selected seasonal ingredients and transforming the onboard experience into a true “journey within the journey,” discovering the flavors and traditions of Italy. The menu offers a selection of iconic regional dishes reinterpreted in a contemporary way, providing passengers with an experience that is authentic, refined, and surprising.To highlight the strategic importance of expanding and growing in long-haul international markets, the Company has recently announced the first major addition for the winter 2026–2027 season: a new seasonal nonstop flight between Rome Fiumicino and Santo Domingo, available across all its sales channels.
