I’ve flown to Rome with all kinds of airlines in the name of a good deal and a smoother travel day. After pulling apart routes from dozens of major airports, I’ve narrowed it down to the 14 airlines to fly to Rome that are actually worth your time and money, from bargain short hauls to long hauls that don’t ruin day one.
This list mixes the budget regulars like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air with the bigger airlines that get you to Rome smoothly from further afield. I’ve written it the way I plan my own trips. Which Rome airport you’re landing at, where the sneaky fees live, and when paying a bit more saves you a whole travel day.
Rome’s too good to arrive tired, broke, and annoyed. I want you stepping off the plane thinking about carbonara, not baggage rules. Start here, pick the airline that fits your route, and keep the budget for the good part of the trip.
Quick tip on how to find cheap flights to Rome
Looking for cheap flights to Rome right now? Before diving into all the airlines that fly to Rome, I first want to share a quick tip on how to save money on airfare.
For the past three years, I’ve used Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going) to get amazing flight deals. All you have to do is enter your home airport and where you want to go, and from there, they’ll send you mistake fares and other ridiculously cheap flight deals. And the coolest part? It’s 100% FREE! This year, I saved thousands of dollars from their email alerts. This includes most recently, a $467 roundtrip fare from Boston to Rome.
There’s a free and a premium version – the free one has pretty much everything you’ll need. Though if you’re like me and travel a lot every year, it’s worth upgrading to the paid version for $49 per year. In my experience, you’ll get your money back after finding just one discounted flight! As such, I recommend signing up for the free trial (you can cancel at any time) to try it for yourself. And if you like it, be sure to use my coupon code JON20 to save 20%!
1. 🇦🇪 Emirates
- 🏠 Base: Dubai (DXB)
- ✈️ Best For: One stop routes to Rome from Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Middle East
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy on some flights, Business, First
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Varies by fare type, so check what’s included
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Emirates Skywards
- 🧠 Pro Tip: You can now redeem Skywards miles for Premium Economy starting at 15,000 miles one way, which is a great sweet spot if you want extra comfort without blowing your balance
Emirates doesn’t fly direct to Rome from the US, but that’s part of the appeal. You’ll connect through their Dubai hub, and honestly, it turns the journey into something worth looking forward to rather than enduring. They fly from 12 US cities including New York, LA, Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco, and from Dubai it’s just under five hours to Rome with three daily flights to choose from.
The experience onboard is impressive. Even in Economy you get proper meals, free drinks, and an entertainment system with thousands of options. If you upgrade to Premium Economy or Business, the difference is night and day compared to most US carriers. The retrofitted Boeing 777s rolling out in 2026 feature a redesigned Business Class in a 1-2-1 layout, meaning everyone gets direct aisle access without climbing over strangers.
Emirates works best if you’re coming from somewhere without great direct options to Rome, or if you want to turn a long journey into a comfortable one. The Dubai stopover program even lets you add a free hotel night if you want to break up the trip. For travelers willing to take the scenic route, this is one of the most enjoyable ways to reach the Eternal City.
- Read next: Picture-Perfect Places to Visit in Dubai
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Looking to save BIG on airfare? I recommend signing up for Dollar Flight Club. Thanks to DFC, I’ve saved $5,000+ on travel this year…so I couldn’t recommend it more!
2. 🇺🇸 Delta Air Lines
- 🏠 Base: Atlanta (ATL)
- ✈️ Best For: Americans who want nonstop or one stop routes to Rome through major US hubs
- 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Comfort Plus, Premium Select, Delta One
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Fare dependent, and Basic Economy is the strict one
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: SkyMiles
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you’re flying from the West Coast, the new Seattle to Rome route launching May 2026 is worth watching for deals since it’s a brand new market for Delta
Delta is one of the easiest ways to get from the US to Rome without a connection in Europe. They fly nonstop from Atlanta, New York JFK, Boston, Detroit, and Minneapolis, and in summer 2026 they’re adding Seattle to the mix. That Seattle route is a big deal for West Coast travelers who have been stuck connecting through East Coast hubs or European cities for years.
The onboard experience is solid and consistent. Delta One, their business class on long haul flights, features lie flat seats with closing doors, and Premium Select offers a noticeable step up from economy with bigger seats and better food. I appreciate that Delta includes a free checked bag on all transatlantic flights. This saves around $70 each way compared to some competitors.
The downside is that SkyMiles has gotten harder to use in recent years, with dynamic pricing that can make award flights expensive. But if you’re based near a Delta hub and want a straightforward nonstop to Rome with a US carrier, Delta is hard to beat. For summer 2026, they’re running their largest ever transatlantic schedule, so availability should be strong.
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- For more reading: Prettiest Spots to Visit in Rome
3. 🇮🇹 ITA Airways
- 🏠 Base: Rome Fiumicino (FCO)
- ✈️ Best For: US travelers who want a nonstop to Rome without connecting through London, Paris, or Frankfurt
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy on some routes, Business
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Fare types vary, so check what your ticket includes
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Volare (joining Star Alliance early 2026)
- 🧠 Pro Tip: When booking Business Class, check that your flight is on an A330neo or A350. These have the newer lie flat seats, while the older A330s feel pretty dated
If you want an airline that’s actually built around Rome, ITA Airways is the obvious choice. Fiumicino is home base, so schedules are designed to feed into Rome and out again. They fly nonstop from nine US cities including New York, LA, Miami, Boston, San Francisco, and Chicago, with Houston joining in May 2026. That’s a wider US network than most European flag carriers offer.
For anyone with United miles, ITA is about to get more useful. They’re joining Star Alliance in early 2026, which opens up redemption options that didn’t exist before. I’d suggest holding off on burning United miles for Rome until that kicks in, because booking through ITA could give you better availability or flight times than what United offers directly.
ITA won’t win awards for having the flashiest cabin or the slickest app. But the food onboard is consistently good, the crew tends to be friendly, and you avoid the hassle of connecting through Heathrow or Frankfurt. Fares from the US are usually competitive with Delta and American on the same routes, so I always compare before booking.
4. 🇶🇦 Qatar Airways
- 🏠 Base: Hamad International Airport, Doha (DOH)
- ✈️ Best For: Travelers connecting through Doha to reach Rome, especially those coming from Asia, Australia, or smaller US cities without direct options
- 🍽️ Cabin Options: Economy, Business Class (Qsuite on most aircraft), First Class on select routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Generous allowances. 30kg checked in Economy on most routes
- 💳 Loyalty Program: Privilege Club (uses Avios, part of Oneworld)
- 💡 Pro Tip: If Qsuite matters to you, check the aircraft type before booking. All A350-1000s have Qsuite, but some A350-900s and 777s don’t. Equipment swaps happen, and Qatar won’t guarantee the cabin
Qatar Airways is one of the easiest ways to reach Rome when you’re starting outside Europe. You connect in Doha and then fly straight into Rome, which keeps the route simple. I recommend it when your alternatives involve two stops or an awkward overnight connection.
It’s especially useful from places like India, Southeast Asia, the Gulf, and large parts of Africa, where the schedules often line up cleanly through Doha. The airport is built for transfers, so getting from one flight to the next is usually straightforward. If you’re flying from the US or Western Europe, I’d only pick Qatar when the price or flight times clearly beat a direct option.
If you’re paying extra for Business Class, make sure the seat is the one you want. Qatar’s best known Business seat is Qsuite, but it isn’t on every aircraft. If you’re choosing between Qatar and Emirates, I’d pick the cleaner routing first, then check the aircraft and seat map, because that’s what changes the experience.
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5. 🇩🇪 Lufthansa
- 🏠 Base: Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC)
- ✈️ Best For: Getting to Rome with one connection when you want lots of flight options, especially from the US or anywhere in Europe
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy on long haul, Business, First on selected long haul routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on the fare, and the cheapest tickets can strip out bags and seat choice
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Miles and More
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you can choose your connection, I recommend Munich. Frankfurt is fine, but tight connections there can get stressful fast
Lufthansa is the airline I go for when I want Rome to feel straightforward, even when I’m not starting in a major city. Frankfurt and Munich connect to Rome constantly, so you’re rarely stuck with one awkward departure time. That frequency is the real value, because it gives you options when plans shift.
It’s a strong fit if you’re flying from the US and don’t have a nonstop to Rome. Germany is a clean stepping stone, and you can usually connect once and get into Rome without extra detours. I recommend Lufthansa when you want a backup plan built into the schedule, not a single daily flight that has to go right.
There are a couple of quirks worth knowing. Frankfurt is big and busy, so short connections can turn into a stressful rush, especially if you’re switching terminals. Munich is often calmer for transfers, so if you have the choice, route through Munich. On fares, compare the total with bags and seat selection added, because that’s where the price can jump.
For 2026, the headline update is Lufthansa’s newer long haul cabin rollout, called Allegris. You won’t see that on the short hop into Rome, but you might get it on the long haul leg into Germany. If you care about that, check the aircraft and seat map before you pay, because the experience can vary a lot.
- Read next: Awesome Things to Do in Germany
6. 🇫🇷 Air France
- 🏠 Base: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
- ✈️ Best For: Getting to Rome with one connection through Paris, especially from North America and across Europe
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy on long haul, Business, La Première on limited routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Varies by fare, and the cheapest economy tickets can strip out bags and seat choice
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Flying Blue
- 🧠 Pro Tip: At CDG, give yourself a real connection window. Paris is a brilliant gateway, but it won’t reward last minute optimism
Air France is the option I recommend when you want Rome to feel like a clean one stop trip, not a patchwork. Paris is a huge gateway, so routes and timings are usually flexible. If you’re flying from North America, connecting in Paris often keeps the map tidy.
It’s a strong choice if you care about the flight experience and you’re willing to pay a bit for it. Premium Economy can be a good upgrade on a long haul leg when you want more space without going all in on Business. If fares are close, I’d take Air France over many rivals for the long haul cabin and the overall feel onboard.
CDG is the main catch, so plan around it. Connections can involve terminal changes and longer walks than you expect, especially when you land and depart from different areas. I also recommend pricing the ticket with the baggage and seat you actually need, because the cheapest fare can stop being cheap fast.
Air France is changing quickly heading into 2026, and that can work in your favour. They’re rolling out refreshed long haul cabins, including upgraded Business and expanding the new La Première suites to more routes. If you’re paying extra for comfort, check the aircraft and seat map, because you can end up on a newly updated plane or an older layout.
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7. 🇺🇸 American Airlines
- 🏠 Base: Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
- ✈️ Best For: Americans who want nonstop or one stop routes to Rome, plus strong coverage through US hubs
- 💺 Cabin Options: Main Cabin, Main Cabin Extra, Premium Economy on long haul, Business, First on limited routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on fare, and Basic Economy comes with the most limits
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: AAdvantage
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you’re booking Basic Economy, read the rules like it’s a contract, because flexibility and seats can be restricted
American Airlines is worth considering if you’re near one of their hubs and want a nonstop flight to Rome. They fly direct from Philadelphia and Chicago, and from Miami they added Rome in summer 2025. For 2026, American is pushing hard into Italy and Greece with a record 18 daily flights between the US and those two countries.
The appeal here is simplicity. If you live in Philly, Charlotte, or anywhere American dominates, you can get to Rome without stitching together connections through London or Frankfurt. Philadelphia in particular has become a strong transatlantic hub, and they’re adding Budapest and Prague in summer 2026, which gives you multi-city options if you’re planning a bigger trip.
Where American gets tricky is the loyalty side. AAdvantage has gotten stingier over the years, and the latest hit came in December 2025 when they stopped awarding miles on Basic Economy fares entirely. If you’re just chasing the cheapest ticket, that might not matter. But if you want your flights to count toward status or earn something back, you’ll need to book Main Cabin or higher. It’s a sharper divide than what United offers, and worth knowing before you book.
On the plane itself, expect a standard US carrier experience. The 787s on transatlantic routes are comfortable enough in economy, and business class is decent without being remarkable. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing that stands out either.
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8. 🇬🇧 British Airways
- 🏠 Base: London Heathrow (LHR)
- ✈️ Best For: UK travellers who want a direct flight to Rome, and anyone whose route naturally connects through London
- 💺 Cabin Options: Euro Traveller, Club Europe, World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World, First on selected long haul routes
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on cabin and fare, and the lightest tickets can be strict
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: British Airways Club and Avios
- 🧠 Pro Tip: On the London to Rome leg, Club Europe is mainly about perks, not a bigger seat
British Airways makes sense for Rome if you’re starting in the UK. Heathrow has frequent flights to Rome and you can usually find a time that fits your trip. It’s also a practical option if you’re already routing through London, especially on a single ticket. I recommend it for short breaks where timing matters, because BA’s schedule can help you squeeze more Rome into fewer days.
Avios is a big reason people stick with BA, and it’s one of the easier points currencies to build if you’re collecting through cards or partners. Just know that reward pricing went up in December 2025, so 2026 redemptions cost more than they used to. If you’re using Avios, I’d focus on dates and times you actually want first, then see if the points deal makes sense.
Onboard to Rome, it’s a short haul product, so keep expectations realistic. Euro Traveller is simple, and Club Europe is the same seat with the middle blocked, plus flexibility and lounge access. If you’re paying extra for Club Europe, do it for the airport perks and the ticket rules, not because you’re expecting a premium cabin in the air.
- Read next: Best Airlines to Fly to London
9. 🇺🇸 United Airlines
- 🏠 Base: Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
- ✈️ Best For: US travellers who want the most Rome nonstop options, plus easy one stop routes via major United hubs
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Economy Plus, Premium Plus, Polaris Business
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on fare, and Basic Economy is the most restrictive
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: MileagePlus
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you’re using points, search a few different dates. MileagePlus pricing moves around a lot
United runs more nonstop flights to Rome from the US than almost anyone else. Newark has year round daily service, and Washington Dulles runs year round too. In summer, you’ll often see extra nonstop routes from Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver, which can save you a connection.
If you live near a United hub, this is often the simplest way to get to Rome. Newark to Rome is a well established route with multiple frequencies, so you’ve got more choice on timings. If you’re paying for comfort, I recommend looking for Polaris business class on the 777 or 787, because lie flat seats and direct aisle access make a real difference overnight.
MileagePlus uses dynamic pricing, so awards can swing a lot depending on dates and demand. That can work in your favour if you’re flexible, and it can be brutal if you’re locked into peak travel. The good news is partner awards dropped in late 2025, so using MileagePlus to book Star Alliance airlines like Lufthansa or SWISS can be cheaper than it used to be.
The trade off is that United removed the Excursionist Perk in August 2025, so it’s less generous for multi city award tricks. If you already collect United miles or can transfer Chase points, it’s a strong setup for getting to Rome with lots of route options.
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10. 🇬🇧 easyJet
- 🏠 Base: UK airline with big bases across Europe
- ✈️ Best For: Direct flights to Rome from the UK and Europe when you want lots of timings and a low headline fare
- 💺 Cabin Options: One cabin, with paid upgrades for space and flexibility
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: The fare includes a small underseat bag, and everything else costs extra
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: No points, but easyJet Plus is a paid membership for frequent flyers
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Build the price properly at checkout. Add your cabin bag and seat, then decide if it’s still a bargain
easyJet is the airline I recommend when you’re flying to Rome from the UK or elsewhere in Europe and you just want to get there. They fly into Rome Fiumicino from places like London Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, and Edinburgh, plus plenty of European airports. The real perk is choice, because you can usually find a flight time that suits your trip.
The catch is simple and it’s where people get frustrated. The base fare includes a small bag under the seat, then you pay for the overhead cabin bag, checked luggage, and often seat selection. I’d add everything you need while you’re booking, because those prices can climb if you leave it late. If you pack light for a long weekend, easyJet can feel like a steal.
There’s no normal loyalty scheme, so don’t book it expecting points to save you later. easyJet Plus can make sense if you fly them a lot, because it bundles things like bigger cabin baggage and seat choice. For most trips, I’d just pay for what you need and move on.
I pick easyJet when the all in price stays clearly lower than BA or ITA. If you need checked bags and you care where you sit, compare the totals side by side. That’s when you find out whether the cheap fare is actually cheap.
11. 🇨🇦 Air Canada
- 🏠 Base: Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL)
- ✈️ Best For: Canadians who want the most direct route to Rome, plus anyone who can use Aeroplan to book Italy flights well
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium Economy, Signature Class
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Depends on fare, and the lightest tickets can be strict
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Aeroplan
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you collect points, Aeroplan is the reason to look at Air Canada. It can unlock better Star Alliance flights to Italy
Air Canada flies nonstop to Rome from Toronto and Montreal. Toronto is often the more consistent option across the year, while Montreal is commonly seasonal. These routes are usually operated on 787s or A330s, which keeps the long haul experience in proper widebody territory.
Aeroplan is why Air Canada deserves your attention, even if you don’t fly them often. It’s one of the strongest programs for booking Star Alliance flights to Europe, and it gives you access to airlines like Lufthansa, SWISS, and United on the same points currency. I recommend it if you like flexibility, because you can compare routes and prices without locking yourself into one airline.
Aeroplan has moved more airlines to dynamic pricing, so points costs can swing based on demand. That can sting during peak summer weeks, but it can also open up more availability when other programs look dry. Onboard, Signature Class is a solid business product, and Premium Economy is the upgrade I’d consider when you want more space without paying business class prices.
12. 🇮🇪 Ryanair
- 🏠 Base: Dublin (DUB), London Stansted (STN), plus 80+ bases across Europe
- ✈️ Best For: Ultra cheap flights to Rome from within Europe when you can pack light and stay flexible
- 💺 Cabin Options: One cabin, paid extras for everything
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Strict, and it’s where the “cheap fare” can unravel
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: None
- 🧠 Pro Tip: Check which Rome airport you’re flying into. Ryanair often uses Ciampino, which can be closer to the city but less forgiving
Ryanair is the airline I use when the price is so low it makes me laugh, and I don’t need much beyond a seat. It’s often the cheapest way into Rome from around Europe, especially midweek and outside school holidays. Many routes go into Ciampino rather than Fiumicino. Ciampino can be fast to move through, but getting into central Rome isn’t always as smooth as it is from Fiumicino.
I’ll be blunt about what you’re buying. Ryanair’s job is to get you from A to B for as little money as possible, and that’s it. The base fare includes a tiny underseat bag, and if you need anything bigger you’ll pay for it, sometimes painfully. I recommend adding your bags at booking, because waiting until the airport is how people end up paying a small fortune.
Compared with easyJet, Ryanair usually wins on the headline fare and loses on vibes. easyJet can feel easier and less strict, while Ryanair can feel like it’s daring you to break a rule. If the price gap is big and you’ve got a backpack, Ryanair is hard to argue with. If the totals come out close once bags are added, I’d lean easyJet or ITA and save yourself the hassle.
13. 🇭🇺 Wizz Air
- 🏠 Base: Budapest (BUD), London Luton (LTN), plus 50+ bases across Europe
- ✈️ Best For: Low cost flights to Rome from Europe, especially if you’re starting in Central or Eastern Europe
- 💺 Cabin Options: One cabin, paid extras for everything
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Strict and add on heavy, so you need to price it properly
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: No points, but Wizz Discount Club can reduce fares and baggage fees
- 🧠 Pro Tip: If you’re doing bags, check the all in total against easyJet or ITA. Wizz can look cheap, then catch up fast
Wizz Air has quietly become one of the easiest low cost ways to fly straight into Rome. A lot of Wizz routes go into Fiumicino, which usually makes getting into central Rome simpler. It’s also been expanding hard, so 2026 should bring even more Rome options.
If you’re flying from the UK, Wizz has been pushing new Rome routes, including London Luton to Rome Fiumicino starting late October 2025, plus Birmingham from June 2025 and Glasgow from late October 2025. That’s useful because it adds more ways to get to Rome without paying full service prices. I recommend Wizz when it’s a direct flight and the timing gives you a proper first day.
The product is very similar to Ryanair. You get a small underseat bag for free, and you pay for the overhead trolley, checked luggage, and seat selection. The big difference is that Wizz baggage fees can climb fast in summer, so a “cheap” fare can stop being cheap.
Wizz usually flies newer Airbus A321neo aircraft on many routes. That doesn’t make it luxury, but it can feel a bit fresher than older short haul cabins. If the all in price ends up close, I’d lean easyJet for an easier ride, then pick the flight time that lets you actually use Rome.
14. 🇺🇸 Alaska Airlines
- 🏠 Base: Seattle (SEA)
- ✈️ Best For: West Coast travellers who want a true nonstop to Rome, plus anyone happy to connect in Seattle for it
- 💺 Cabin Options: Economy, Premium, Business on long haul aircraft
- 🧳 Baggage Policy: Varies by fare, so check what’s included before you click pay
- 🎫 Loyalty Program: Atmos Rewards
- 🧠 Pro Tip: This flight runs seasonally and once per day. If your dates are fixed, I’d book early and give yourself a roomy Seattle connection
Alaska Airlines’ Seattle to Rome nonstop is one of the most useful 2026 additions for US travellers. It launches April 28, 2026 and runs daily for the summer season into October. If you’re in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, or anywhere you can reach SEA easily, this can be the simplest way to start an Italy trip.
The appeal is the travel day, not the brand name. A single long haul flight to Rome means fewer chances for delays to domino, and you land with your plan still intact. I recommend choosing this nonstop when the price is close to a one stop option, because saving a connection is usually worth it.
It’s also worth watching because Alaska is clearly building a bigger international identity for 2026. Rome is part of a wider push from Seattle, with London Heathrow and Reykjavik also launching in spring 2026. On the Rome flight, Alaska is promising a proper long haul experience. This includes lie flat enclosed suites and multi course dining in Business, so it isn’t just a dressed up domestic cabin.
If you collect points, Atmos Rewards is part of the story too. Later in 2026, members can choose to earn based on distance, price paid, or segments flown, which is unusually flexible. Top tier members are also set to get complimentary lie flat upgrades on intercontinental routes on the day of departure, subject to availability, starting in spring 2026.
