ITA Airways inaugurates the direct Rome-Houston flight

ITA Airways inaugurates the new intercontinental connection between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), opening a direct flight between the two cities for the first time in history. The new route represents a further step in the development of the company's long-haul network and strengthens ITA Airways' presence in the US market, today the most important after the Italian one.

For passengers, the new flight means a new direct option between Italy and one of the most important metropolises in the United States. Houston, America's fourth-largest city, is a global hub for the energy industry and also has growing demand on the tourism and cultural fronts. Until now, there was no direct connection to Rome.

The launch of the route was celebrated with two inaugural ceremonies, one in Rome Fiumicino and one in Houston, in the presence of institutions, local and airport authorities and the company's management, confirming the strategic value of the new connection both for economic and cultural and tourist relations between Italy and the United States.

The new service is operated with the latest generation Airbus A330-900 . With this opening, Houston becomes ITA Airways' ninth North American destination and joins New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago and Toronto.

In the initial phase, the connection includes 3 weekly frequencies, which will rise to 5 from 1 June 2026. The route is also designed to facilitate connections to numerous Italian cities thanks to the airline's domestic network from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Linate, strengthening ITA Airways' role as a link between North America, Italy and Europe. For those departing from Houston and the entire Gulf of Mexico area, the new flight opens up direct access to Rome and, from there, to further Italian and European destinations. 

For Italian passengers, on the other hand, the new route makes it easier to reach a market of great strategic importance such as Texas, characterized by a strong industrial fabric and consolidated demand, especially in the energy, aerospace, defense and government sectors.

The new connection is part of the broader strengthening of ITA Airways' intercontinental network, which focuses on long-haul as the central axis of its development. In this context, the company has already announced the new direct seasonal flight Rome Fiumicino-Santo Domingo for the 2026-2027 winter season.

On the on-board experience front, ITA Airways also continues to enhance its position as an ambassador of Made in Italy in the world. From April, a new Italian-inspired menu is available on flights departing from Italy, built around seasonal ingredients and a selection of regional dishes reinterpreted in a contemporary way.