Historic Route Launch: ITA Airways Announces Rome to Houston Direct Flight

First-ever direct flight between Rome (Fiumicino) and Houston, Texas, one of the largest airport hubs in the world.

Italian airline ITA Airways announced today (January 13, 2026) the launch of the first transatlantic route connecting Rome (Fiumicino) to Houston, Texas. The new route is expected to begin operations on May 1, 2026, with tickets already available.

The starting price for a round-trip economy-class ticket is $1,134.

Throughout May, the route will operate at a frequency of three weekly flights, on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Flights from Rome will depart at 10:20 and land in Houston at 15:40 (local time). In the opposite direction, the flight will depart from Houston at 18:10 and land in Rome the next day at 11:50. From June 1 to October 24, 2026, the frequency will increase to five weekly flights.

The new line will operate a new-generation Airbus A330-900 aircraft featuring advanced technologies, an emphasis on operational efficiency, and Italian design.

Houston, Texas. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

With the opening of the route to Houston, the city becomes ITA Airways' ninth destination in North America. The United States is the company's main international market, which currently operates direct flights to New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., and during the summer season also to Chicago and Toronto, Canada.

The company emphasizes that the new route will allow passengers convenient connections to many destinations throughout Italy, beyond Rome and Milan. From its hub in Rome, ITA Airways operates flights to 16 airports in Italy, and from Milan to 12 additional destinations. The company recently expanded its onward flight options through codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada.