Italian flag carrier ITA Airways will fly between Houston Bush Intercontinental and Rome next summer. The route will be the first nonstop between the two cities. 

Flights will operate three times per week beginning May 1 and increase to five times per week from June 1 through Oct. 24. 

ITA will fly Airbus A330-900neo aircraft configured with business, premium economy and economy cabins. 

Rome will be ITA’s eighth U.S. destination, joining Boston, Washington Dulles, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago O’Hare and New York JFK. 

ITA codeshares with United Airlines, which has a hub at Houston Bush. ITA is a part of Lufthansa Group and will join the Star Alliance next year.Â