Direct flights between the US and Italia are on the rise

Two new connections between the United States and Italia. Since yesterday, the New York - Newark flight to Bari by United Airlines and the Rome - Houston flight by Ita Airways have been operative. This is the first time that the Texan metropolis, the fourth largest in the USA, is connected with a direct flight to the capital, responding to the growing demand for both business and tourist travel between the two countries. "Houston represents a very important innovation for our airline, which sees further growth on the long-haul network, on which we want to base our future development," said Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of Ita Airways. "It is a dynamic city that combines its role as the global capital of the energy sector with a vibrant, fast-growing arts and culture scene. The new flight expands access opportunities to Italy for residents of Houston and the entire Gulf of Mexico area, offering a direct connection to Rome and additional connections to numerous destinations in Italia and Europe'. For the inaugural flight, a latest-generation Airbus A330-900 was used, a benchmark in technology, digitalisation, innovation, efficiency and Made in Italy design. Houston becomes Ita Airways' ninth North American destination, joining the connections from Italia to New York, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Chicago and Toronto. The new connection will initially provide three weekly frequencies, increasing to five from 1 June 2026.

It is seasonal until 7 September between United Airlines' hub in Newark and Bari with a frequency of four flights per week. our US customers will be able to take advantage of direct flights to Puglia, known for its beautiful coastline and picturesque hill towns," notes Thorsten Lettnin, United Airlines' Director of Sales for Continental Europe, Emea, Israel, and India. "On the other hand, travellers from Puglia will benefit from the convenience of a direct connection between Bari and our Newark hub.

More opportunities for tourists from the States who want to go on holiday, for example, among the trulli of Alberobello, discover the wonders of Polignano a Mare, the caves of Castellana Grotte or reach Palazzo Margherita, Francis Ford Coppola's luxury boutique hotel in Bernalda, Basilicata. Then there is root tourism, as Antonio Maria Vasile, President of Aeroporti di Puglia, recounts. "We have worked closely with the Italian communities living in New York to promote a 'return to roots' for our community. The four weekly flights will allow a growing number of American travellers to reach our region, now recognised globally as one of the most popular destinations for summer holidays. This flight represents an important opportunity for Apulian citizens and passengers from neighbouring regions to travel to New York. It is a concrete expansion of travel opportunities, connectivity, and economic and cultural development".

For this route United is using a Boeing 767-300ER with 46 United Polaris business suites with fully reclining seats and direct aisle access, 22 United Premium Plus seats and 99 economy class seats, including 43 United Economy Plus seats. United is the only airline to offer non-stop service between Bari and the US and will operate up to 15 direct flights a day from Italia to the US through the summer of 2026. The new service between Bari and Newark/New York is in addition to United's existing services from Italia to the United States, including daily year-round flights from Rome and Milan to Newark/New York, year-round service from Rome to Washington D.C., as well as seasonal flights from Rome to Chicago O'Hare, Denver and San Francisco, from Milan to Chicago O'Hare, from Naples, Venice and Palermo to Newark/New York and from Venice to Washington D.C.