Best Airlines to Italy: Routes, Fares and Baggage in 2026

The best airlines flying to Italy in 2026 include ITA Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines, and budget carriers like Ryanair and easyJet. ITA Airways leads on direct US–Rome frequency (~69 weekly flights), while Delta, United, and American have all added new nonstop routes to regional Italian cities. Round-trip fares from the US start around $350 off-peak.

Italy is one of the most flown-to destinations on earthand 2026 is the most connected year yet. New nonstop routes from Seattle, Houston, Boston, and Miami mean more Americans than ever can skip the layover and land directly in Rome, Milan, Venice, or even Sardinia. But with so many carriers competing for your seat, picking the right airline matters more than it used to.

What Airlines Fly to Italy from the USA?

The airlines that fly directly from the United States to Italy in 2026 include ITA Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and JetBlue. ITA Airways operates the highest weekly frequency to Rome Fiumicino (FCO), with approximately 69 flights per week. Delta follows with around 52 weekly flights. Budget connections via European hubs are available through Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling.

2026 US Italy Nonstop Route Summary

Best Airlines to Italy from JFK

The best airlines flying to Italy from JFK in 2026 are ITA Airways and Delta Air Lines for nonstop service, with ITA offering the highest frequency on the JFK–Rome route. American Airlines and Norse Atlantic also provide competitive fares from JFK, with Norse often undercutting major carriers on economy pricing through connecting hubs.

JFK–Italy route breakdown:

• ITA Airways  JFK to Rome FCO, multiple weekly nonstop flights, modern Airbus A330 fleet, strong economy and business class product
• Delta Air Lines  JFK to Rome FCO (year-round) and new JFK to Olbia, Sardinia (May 20, 2026  first-ever US nonstop to Sardinia)
• American Airlines  JFK to Rome FCO with competitive main cabin pricing
• Norse Atlantic  JFK to Rome via budget-tier transatlantic pricing; check bag fees separately

Best for value from JFK: ITA Airways Economy Standard or Delta’s basic economy with a loyalty card for bag inclusions.

Best for comfort from JFK: Delta’s Premium Select or ITA Airways Business Class, which offers lie-flat seats on long-haul routes.

Best Airlines to Italy from LAX

The best airlines for flights to Italy from LAX in 2026 are Delta Air Lines and Lufthansa (via Frankfurt), with round-trip fares typically ranging from $450–$650 in the off-peak window. No carrier currently operates a true nonstop LAX–Italy service; all routes connect through a European or East Coast hub.

Recommended routing options from LAX:

• Delta  LAX to Atlanta (ATL), then ATL to Rome FCO (seamless Delta connection)
• Lufthansa LAX to Frankfurt (FRA), then FRA to Rome or Milan (strong schedule alignment)
• ITA Airways  Connect via JFK or a European hub for the final Italy leg
• American Airlines  LAX to JFK or ORD, then onward to Italy

Pro tip: Search LAX to FCO (Rome) and LAX to MXP (Milan) separately prices can differ by $100 or more for the same travel dates.

Non-Stop Flights to Rome, Italy in 2026

Nonstop flights to Rome Fiumicino (FCO) from the US are available from New York JFK, Newark (EWR), Houston (IAH), Seattle (SEA), and various European hubs. Rome FCO is the busiest international gateway in Italy and handles the largest volume of direct transatlantic arrivals.

Current nonstop US Rome routes in 2026:

Alaska’s Seattle–Rome route launched May 23, 2026, marking the airline’s first-ever transatlantic service and opening up a West Coast gateway that previously didn’t exist.

Cheap Flights to Rome, Italy 2026: What Do They Actually Cost?

Cheap flights to Rome from the US in 2026 start around $350–$500 round trip from major East Coast gateways during off-peak periods (January–March and November). Summer fares spike dramatically, often reaching $900–$1,300+ from New York and $1,000–$1,500+ from Los Angeles, according to fare data aggregated by Skyscanner and KAYAK.

Round-Trip Fare Ranges: US to Rome (FCO)

According to KAYAK, Monday is the cheapest day to fly to Italy, with average round-trip prices around $775 versus $890 on Fridays a 15% difference. Skyscanner recommends booking 45–60 days ahead for economy fares in the off-season, and 120–180 days ahead for peak summer travel.

Booking strategies that competitors overlook:

• Search Rome (FCO) AND Milan (MXP) separately MXP can be $50–$150 cheaper from certain US cities
• Use “open-jaw” tickets: fly into Venice, depart from Rome often cheaper than round-trip to a single city
• November fares from New York to Milan were recorded as low as $337 round trip on Aer Lingus indirect routing (Skyscanner data, late 2025)

Flights to Italy Round Trip from USA: What Should You Budget?

For a round-trip flight to Italy from the USA in 2026, budget $400–$650 per person for economy class in the off-peak shoulder season, and $900–$1,500+ per person in peak summer. Premium economy runs $1,200–$2,500 on most major carriers, while business class on routes like JFK–Rome starts around $3,000–$5,000 round trip.

A realistic family of four flying from New York in July should budget approximately $3,600–$5,200 total for economy round trips before baggage, seat selection, or airport transfers.

Baggage Policies: What Each Airline Actually Allows

Baggage rules are where budget airlines catch travelers off guard. Here’s a consolidated breakdown of what each major carrier allows on US–Italy routes.

Baggage Comparison Table

ITA Airways specifics (verified): Economy Light fares include carry-on only (8 kg, 55×35×25 cm) plus one personal item (45×36×20 cm). Add checked baggage online before traveling airport prices are significantly higher, often €25+ more per bag.

Budget airline caution: A Ryanair “€15 fare” can become €80+ after seat selection, priority boarding, and a carry-on upgrade. Always calculate the all-in cost before booking.

Rome (FCO) vs. Milan (MXP): Which Airport Should You Fly Into?

Choosing between Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) depends entirely on your Italy itinerary. Rome FCO is better for travelers visiting central and southern Italy, while Milan MXP serves northern Italy, Lake Como, the Alps, and fast rail connections to Venice and Florence.

Choose Rome FCO if you’re visiting: Rome, Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Naples, Sicily, or Puglia
Choose Milan MXP if you’re visiting: Milan, Lake Como, Bergamo, the Dolomites, Piedmont, or taking a fast train to Venice

Milan MXP also tends to be slightly cheaper from certain US cities worth checking when fares are close.

Budget Airlines Flying to Italy: Ryanair, easyJet, Wizz Air & Vueling

European budget airlines serve Italy extensively from hub cities across the continent, making them a smart second leg after a transatlantic flight. Fares range from €10–€80 depending on route and how early you book.

Top budget routes into Italy:

• Ryanair  London Stansted to Rome Ciampino (CIA), Dublin to Milan Bergamo (BGY): €15–€50
• easyJet  Amsterdam to Venice, Paris Charles de Gaulle to Naples: €25–€70
• Wizz Air  Vienna to Rome, Budapest to Naples: €20–€60
• Vueling  Barcelona to Florence, Madrid to Milan: €30–€80

Neos: Italy’s own leisure carrier operates charter and scheduled flights between Rome/Milan and international destinations, including some transatlantic routes. In 2026, Neos reduced its Bari–JFK seasonal service, so check current schedules directly before relying on this option.

Smart hub-hopping strategy: Fly transatlantic on a full-service carrier (better delay protection), then book a separate budget carrier into your Italian city. Allow 4+ hours between tickets missed connections on separate bookings are not protected by airlines.

What Is the Safest Airline to Fly to Italy?

All major US carriers Delta, United, and American Airlines hold strong safety records and are ranked among the world’s safest airlines by AirlineRating. Etihad Airways was named the world’s safest airline for 2026 (AirlineRating, 2026), though it doesn’t fly direct to Italy from the US. Among carriers with US–Italy routes, Delta, United, and ITA Airways operate modern fleets with strong safety oversight. ITA Airways, though relatively young (launched 2021), flies a modern Airbus fleet under EASA regulation.

What Is the Most Comfortable Airline to Fly to Italy?

For comfort on long-haul US Italy flights, Delta’s Premium Select and Business Class stand out for their lie-flat seats, improved meal service, and generous seat pitch on transatlantic routes. ITA Airways Business Class offers a competitive product on JFK–Rome flights. American Airlines’ Flagship Business is a strong choice on Chicago–Naples routes. For budget travelers, ITA Airways Economy Standard offers better seat pitch on average compared to Ryanair and easyJet.

What Is the Cheapest Month to Fly to Italy? The cheapest months to fly to Italy from the US are January, February, and November. Skyscanner’s data identifies November as the single cheapest month overall. Thanksgiving week can also yield surprisingly low fares, as domestic US travel competes with international demand. Avoid June through August those are the most expensive months, with fares often 2–3 times higher than the winter baseline. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do any airlines fly nonstop from the West Coast to Italy in 2026?
Yes. Alaska Airlines launched the first-ever nonstop from Seattle (SEA) to Rome (FCO) on May 23, 2026, operating four times weekly. No direct LAX–Italy nonstop currently exists; West Coast travelers from Los Angeles must connect through an East Coast or European hub.

Is ITA Airways reliable for transatlantic flights?
ITA Airways, Italy’s national carrier that replaced Alitalia in 2021, operates a modern Airbus fleet and is a member of the SkyTeam alliance. On-time performance has been mixed in early years, but reliability has improved. Book direct for easier rebooking if delays occur.

What happens to my bags if I book ITA Airways Economy Light?
Economy Light includes one carry-on (8 kg) and one personal item only. No checked bag is included. Adding a 23 kg checked bag costs approximately €70–€85 if purchased online before travel significantly more at the airport.

Can I use miles from Delta or American to fly to Italy in 2026?
Yes. Delta SkyMiles can be used on Delta’s year-round JFK–Rome route and the new JFK–Olbia service. American AAdvantage miles work on Chicago–Naples and Dallas–Venice routes. New seasonal routes often release more award inventory early to stimulate demand, so search for awards soon after routes open.

Which is cheaper: flying into Rome (FCO) or Milan (MXP)?
It depends on your origin city and travel dates, but MXP can run $50–$150 cheaper from some US cities. Always compare both airports when building your search especially if your Italy itinerary can start in either city.

How far in advance should I book flights to Italy for summer 2026?
Book 120–180 days in advance for summer travel (June–August). For spring or autumn travel, 45–60 days ahead typically delivers the best economy fares, per Skyscanner’s booking window data.

Are there direct flights to Italy from cities other than New York in 2026?
Yes. In 2026, nonstop US–Italy service operates from Newark, Houston, Seattle, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Boston a significant expansion from previous years. Houston–Rome (ITA Airways) and Seattle–Rome (Alaska Airlines) are both new for 2026.

What is the baggage allowance on Delta flights to Italy?
Delta charges $45 for a first checked bag and $55 for a second bag on US–Italy routes in Economy. Delta SkyMiles Medallion members and those with a Delta credit card receive first checked bag free. Delta does not include checked bags in Basic Economy fares.

Do Ryanair and easyJet fly transatlantic to Italy?
No. Ryanair and easyJet are intra-European carriers only. They serve Italian airports extensively from European hubs but do not operate transatlantic routes. Use them for the final leg after crossing the Atlantic on a full-service carrier.

What is the best airline for a first-time traveler flying to Italy?
For first-time transatlantic travelers, ITA Airways or Delta on a JFK–Rome nonstop offers the simplest experience no connections, clear baggage inclusions on standard fares, and direct access to Italy’s main gateway. Avoid budget-carrier combinations until you’re comfortable managing separate tickets and tight connections.