ITA Airways is an Italian airliner that is set to make history with the first-ever nonstop flights between Houston, Texas, and Rome, Italy. This marks the ninth destination in North America for the Italian airliner. Flights will take place on the next-gen Airbus A330-900 (A33neo) aircraft from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
Once you’ve conquered Rome, the central Italian capital makes for an easy connection when traveling to other Italian cities like Naples, Florence, and Bologna. Other nearby,notable but somewhat lesser known, Italian cities in the vicinity of Rome include Tivoli, Orvieto, and Ostia Antica.
“We are proud to announce that for the first time in history Rome and Houston will be connected with a direct flight. This is our ninth North American destination and will further enrich the airline’s intercontinental network, one of ITA Airways’ key assets: long-haul operations not only support profitability but also stimulate short-haul traffic, strengthening the Rome Fiumicino hub,” said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways in a statement.
The Houston-to-Rome direct flights will begin on May 1, 2026, from which the service will operate three times per week (Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays). The May 2026 schedule sees flights departing from Houston at 6:10 pm, arriving in Rome the following day at 11:50 am. Flights from Rome to Houston will depart from Rome Fumicino at 10:20 am and arrive at George Bush Continental Airport at 3:40 pm.
Beginning in June, the airliner will offer direct flights between Houston and Rome five times a week, adding flights on Mondays and Saturdays through October 24, 2026.
“We welcome ITA Airways to Houston, as it reflects our city’s prominence on the global stage,” said Houston Mayor John Whitmire in a statement. “The first ever route between Houston and Rome will strengthen our business, diplomatic and cultural ties with Italy. It will also bring more visitors to experience Houston’s vibrant culture, world-class healthcare and diverse industries.”
Round-trip flights between Houston and Rome in May start around $986, though prices will vary between June through October.