ITA Airways is expanding its transatlantic route network by introducing new flights from Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), marking the first-ever direct route between the two cities. With the addition of Houston, the airline’s network will expand to nine North American destinations.
The Italian flag carrier has already opened ticket sales, with the inaugural flight set for May 1, 2026. The aircraft operating this route will be the carrier’s youngest widebody type, the Airbus A330-900 (A330neo).
Service Begins With Three Weekly Flights, More Coming In June
The transatlantic service from Rome Fiumicino Airport to 
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport will launch with three weekly flights. Starting with a limited schedule allows ITA to assess initial passenger demand. From May 1 to May 31, the airline will operate flights on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, departing FCO at 10:20 AM and arriving at IAH at 3:20 PM local time. The return flight will depart IAH at 6:10 PM after a ground time of two hours and fifty minutes, arriving in FCO at 11:50 AM the following day.
ITA will increase flight frequencies on the route starting June 1, with five weekly flights planned on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The flights will operate throughout the IATA summer season, which runs until the last Saturday in October. Accordingly, ITA Airways’ FCO-IAH service will conclude on October 24, 2026. It is worth noting that the airline may modify flight frequencies in the future based on demand and operational considerations.
|
Route |
Date |
Frequency |
Departing From FCO |
Arriving At IAH |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
FCO-IAH |
May 1-May 31 |
3 weekly (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) |
10:20 AM |
3:20 PM local time |
|
FCO-IAH |
June 1-October 24 |
5 weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
10:20 AM |
3:20 PM local time |
|
Route |
Date |
Frequency |
Departing From IAH |
Arriving At FCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
IAH-FCO |
May 1-May 31 |
3 weekly (Wednesday, Friday, Sunday) |
6:10 PM |
11:50 AM local time |
|
IAH-FCO |
June 1-October 24 |
5 weekly (Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
6:10 PM |
11:50 AM local time |
The flight distance between the two cities is 4,938 nautical miles (9,144 km). The Italian national carrier will operate its three-class Airbus A330neo widebodies on the new route, which can accommodate a total of 291 passengers: 237 in economy, 24 in premium economy, and 30 in business class. The A330neo’s business class is arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving each passenger direct aisle access. ITA has a total of 11 A330neos in its fleet, with an average age of 1.9 years. According to ch-aviation, the airline is awaiting six additional units to be delivered.
North American Network Strengthened By Codeshares
The new FCO-IAH route will improve connectivity not only for passengers traveling directly to Houston, but also for those connecting onward to destinations across the US or Canada. To support these connections, ITA has recently launched codeshare agreements with United Airlines and Air Canada, which are both members of 
Star Alliance.
It is also worth noting that the Italian flag carrier is in the process of joining Star Alliance, following its integration into the Lufthansa Group. This move is expected to be completed in early 2026. Earlier this year, the Lufthansa Group finalized a 41% stake in ITA and is expected to increase its ownership to 90% next year.
Additionally, ITA aims to strengthen FCO as a hub, making it a key connection point for short-haul flights to other Italian or European destinations. Commenting on the new route, ITA Airways CEO and General Manager Joerg Eberhart stated that the route “network from Rome allows us to be the reference carrier from the US to Italy and, via Rome, to Europe and the Mediterranean for the Italian community and other major communities in the region.”
Houston & Newark: ITA Airways Reportedly Eyes US Expansion
ITA Airways plans to expand to new long-haul destinations, with two routes planned from Rome to Newark and Houston.
ITA’s Presence In The United States And Canada
In addition to its newly announced Houston route, the airline offers direct flights to seven US destinations. ITA operates year-round service to New York (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Miami International Airport (MIA), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
During the summer, ITA also operates to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The airline typically deploys its fleet of either older-generation Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A330neos, or larger Airbus A350s, depending on the required capacity.
Other North American destinations served by ITA include Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ).
