A New Japanese Gateway Opens via Rome: ITA Joins Lufthansa-ANA Partnership

Starting in autumn 2026, another strong European transfer route may appear on the map for Hungarian travelers heading to Japan: ITA Airways is joining the Europe-Japan joint venture partnership between the Lufthansa Group and All Nippon Airways (ANA). This change does not mean a direct flight will start between Budapest and Tokyo, but the inclusion of Rome Fiumicino Airport will bring more combinable routes, more coordinated schedules, and more flexible ticketing to the market.

According to the Lufthansa Group's announcement on June 8, ITA Airways will join the strategic Europe-Japan partnership starting in autumn 2026, which was launched by Lufthansa and ANA back in 2012, and later joined by SWISS and Austrian Airlines. The current agreement was signed in Rio de Janeiro during the IATA annual general meeting. According to the airlines, in the new lineup, ITA's European, Italian domestic, and North African networks, as well as its long-haul flight between Rome Fiumicino and Tokyo Haneda, will be included in the cooperation.

This is interesting from a Hungarian perspective because travel from Budapest to Japan is typically done with a transfer today. The most common options include major Central and Western European hubs, such as Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Zurich, Istanbul, Doha, or Dubai. The Rome route already existed, but ITA's deeper integration into the Lufthansa-ANA system promises that the Tokyo connection via Fiumicino may fit better into the larger European network. For those departing from Budapest Liszt Ferenc Airport, this could represent another combination worth comparing with transfers in Frankfurt, Munich, or Vienna.

What Exactly Changes from Autumn 2026?

The essence of the announcement is not a single new flight, but the expansion of a commercial and network cooperation. ITA Airways' daily flight between Rome Fiumicino and Tokyo Haneda will enter the joint system where Lufthansa Group airlines and ANA can coordinate schedules, connections, products, and certain customer experience elements. According to the Lufthansa Group, the Rome intercontinental flight will be bookable by ANA, Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, and SWISS customers starting in autumn 2026 and will be flexibly combinable with their own flights.

An important part of the agreement is that it does not only concern the long-haul Rome-Tokyo segment. ITA's feeder flights also play a role, namely those European and Italian domestic connections that bring passengers to Fiumicino. This could be particularly useful for those who are not looking for a simple Budapest-Tokyo round trip, but want to incorporate a stopover in Italy, a Mediterranean holiday, or a multi-city itinerary. Rome thus becomes not just a transfer point, but potentially a standalone travel element.

The Lufthansa Group also stated that the participating airlines offer a total of 160 weekly long-haul flights between Europe and Japan. This number does not mean that every route will be equally convenient for every passenger, but it demonstrates that the Japanese market is once again seen as a strategic direction by the large European airline groups. Haneda Airport will continue to play a key role in the offering, as it is closer to downtown Tokyo than Narita and is often a more convenient arrival point for business and city-visiting trips.

Why Could This Be Important for Hungarian Travelers?

Japan is an increasingly popular long-haul destination from Hungary, but three factors still decide during planning: price, transfer time, and reliability. Another strongly integrated European gateway provides real value if the entire route can be booked on a single ticket with realistic connection times and a manageable baggage process. This is why ITA's entry is not flashy, but practically important news: more alternatives may appear for the same travel need.

For Hungarian passengers, Rome could be particularly attractive if the trip is not just about Japan. A few days in Rome, Naples, Sicily, or other Italian cities before or after a spring or autumn trip to Tokyo could be a logical addition. Due to Rome Fiumicino Airport's strong Italian domestic and European connections, such routes can be more easily packaged into a multi-stop journey. For those who do not wish to enter the city due to an early departure or late evening arrival, hotels around Fiumicino Airport can serve as a practical backup.

On the Tokyo side, the central element of the change is Haneda Airport. ANA's domestic Japanese network can provide connections from here and other Tokyo hubs to further cities, such as Osaka, Fukuoka, Sapporo, or Okinawa. For longer Japanese tours, this is essential because many travelers do not stop at Tokyo: the Japan Rail Pass, domestic flights, and multi-city bookings together shape the final itinerary. If the Rome segment fits better into the ANA system, it may make Japanese domestic continuations more transparent.

Not a Direct Flight, but Stronger Choice

It is important to interpret the news cautiously. The announcement does not mean a new Budapest-Tokyo flight, nor does it guarantee lower prices on its own. Ticket prices continue to be driven by demand, season, fuel costs, exchange rates, capacity, and competitors' decisions. The change is more likely to help by allowing a choice between more well-structured routes for the same trip, especially during periods when the most popular transfer airports are expensive or overcrowded.

Hungarian travelers should therefore not just look at the first result when searching for a trip to Japan. Transfers in Frankfurt and Munich may still be strong, Vienna is a convenient alternative for many passengers in Western Hungary, and Rome may now gain new weight. When choosing, it is worth checking whether the entire route is on one ticket, the transfer time, what happens in case of delay, what baggage rules apply to the individual segments, and whether the passenger remains within the same airline alliance.

A short transfer is tempting, but not always the best decision for Japan. A one-and-a-half to two-hour connection before or after an intercontinental trip is often more convenient than a too-tight schedule, especially at large airports with security checks, terminal changes, or transitions to non-Schengen zones. In the case of Fiumicino, it is also worth checking which terminal the long-haul flight departs from and how much time the airline recommends for the transfer.

What Does This Mean for Bookings and Loyalty Programs?

According to the Lufthansa Group, customers of the participating airlines will see a more uniform offering and more combinable long-haul flights in the future. ANA has separately indicated that from April 1, 2026, ANA Mileage Club members will be eligible to earn miles on certain ITA Airways flights, and ITA will also appear in partner airline award flights. This could be particularly interesting for frequent travelers and those planning through premium cabins, miles, or corporate booking systems.

For the average tourist, the most important question is simpler: will there be a better price, a better schedule, or a more convenient combination. This can only be determined through specific searches. For a departure from Budapest, it is worth separately comparing routes via Rome, Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna, but the total travel time must also be considered. A cheaper ticket can easily lose its advantage if it involves an overly long overnight wait, separate baggage drop-off, or an uncertain transfer.

Entering Japan: What Should Hungarian Tourists Watch For?

Japanese entry rules are a separate issue and must always be checked before departure. According to information from the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese Embassy in Budapest, Hungarian citizens can travel to Japan without a visa for temporary stays of up to 90 days for tourism, visiting relatives or friends, or short-term business purposes, provided they do not engage in paid activity. This is a favorable baseline, but it does not replace the check of the passport, return or onward travel plan, accommodation details, and any health or customs procedures.

For those arriving in Tokyo, hotels around Haneda can be useful for late evening landings or early domestic continuations. If the route involves Narita Airport, the longer city transfer time must also be factored in. Regarding car rentals, prior information is particularly important in Japan: Haneda Airport car rental or Narita Airport car rental is only convenient if the traveler is aware of the rules regarding international driving permits, left-hand traffic, highway tolls, and parking.

Why is the Europe-Japan Market Strengthening Now?

For airlines, Japan is simultaneously a business, tourist, and premium travel market. In the years following the pandemic, Far East routes recovered more slowly than many European or North Atlantic connections, partly due to airspace, partly due to demand, and partly due to operating costs. Now, however, the large groups are again trying to build a stronger network position. ITA's deeper integration into the Lufthansa Group, the expansion of the cooperation with ANA, and the increasing role of the Rome hub all point in this direction.

Hungary may not necessarily get a new direct flight from this, but indirectly more options. Due to Budapest's geographical location, Hungarian passengers already choose between several airports: besides their own capital airport, many look at Vienna, and occasionally Bratislava, Prague, or major German hubs. If Rome becomes a more competitive Japanese gateway, it may appear in search results and travel agency offers. This could be particularly noticeable in the family, honeymoon, tour, and premium segments, where the overall travel experience is more important than the absolute lowest price.

What to Watch for in the Coming Months?

The practical effect of the agreement will appear gradually, so passengers should not expect an immediate price drop or a completely new schedule structure. The Lufthansa Group has indicated that the introduction of the joint offer will happen step-by-step from autumn 2026, and customers will be informed when a given option becomes available. This means that new combinations may appear in booking systems, loyalty programs, and connection offers in several waves.

For Hungarian travelers, three things are worth watching. First: whether favorable, single-ticket Budapest-Rome-Tokyo routes appear. Second: how competitive these are compared to Frankfurt, Munich, and Vienna solutions. Third: under what conditions the ticket can be modified or canceled, as a trip to Japan often requires significant advance planning and higher costs. Those traveling during peak season, cherry blossom time, or autumn foliage should search particularly early.

Summary

ITA Airways' entry into the Lufthansa Group and ANA's Europe-Japan cooperation is not flashy, but important network news. For Hungarian travelers, the greatest value may be that Rome Fiumicino becomes a stronger, better-integrated transfer point toward Japan, while the Tokyo Haneda connection and ANA's domestic network provide more continuation options. The decision does not replace careful price and schedule comparison, but from autumn 2026, it can provide another serious route option for those preparing for Japan from Budapest or the region.