ITA Adds Houston Ahead Of Star Alliance Entry
ITA Airways will begin flights between Rome Fiumicino and Houston next spring, adding the United Airlines hub to its transatlantic network as the carrier accelerates its shift toward Star Alliance.
will begin flights between Rome Fiumicino and Houston next spring, adding the United Airlines hub to its transatlantic network as the carrier accelerates its shift toward Star Alliance.
The service launches May 1, 2026, marking the first time any airline has operated nonstop flights between the two cities. ITA will begin with three flights per week before increasing to five frequencies in June. The route will operate seasonally using Airbus A330-900 aircraft.
“We are proud to announce that for the first time in history Rome and Houston will be connected with a direct flight,” ITA Airways CEO Joerg Eberhart says. “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.”
Italy has been one of the largest unserved long-haul markets for Houston. Sabre Market Intelligence data shows Rome-Houston demand reached about 57,200 two-way passengers in 2024, making it Houston’s fifth-largest European O&D market and the largest without nonstop service.
“Nonstop service to Rome is a defining moment for Houston and a direct result of the strength and credibility of our airport system,” says Houston Airports Director of Aviation Jim Szczesniak. “This route will bring new visitors, new investment and new business opportunities.”
The route strengthens ITA’s alignment with Star Alliance carriers United and Air Canada. ITA exited SkyTeam on April 30 and will join Star Alliance in 2026 as part of Lufthansa Group’s acquisition of a 41% stake. ITA already codeshares with United and Air Canada and serves several of their hubs, including Chicago O’Hare, Washington Dulles, San Francisco and Toronto Pearson.
If U.S. regulators approve the carriers’ joint request, ITA could also join the Lufthansa-United-Air Canada transatlantic joint venture, which the groups argue would “generate significant consumer benefits” by expanding Rome Fiumicino as a connecting hub.
OAG Schedules Analyser data shows ITA offered just over 1 million two-way seats to and from North America during summer 2025, serving Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, San Francisco and Washington Dulles in the U.S., alongside Toronto Pearson in Canada.
