Delta provides two Mediterranean escapes after its Route Race vote—one chosen by its Members, one by its folks— bringing new nonstop service to Sardinia and Malta from New York-JFK (JFK) beginning Summer season 2026.
For the primary time in Delta historical past, SkyMiles Members and Delta staff had the ability to resolve which new European vacation spot would be part of the airline’s world community. Hundreds of votes have been forged, however the winners have been cut up, with Members selecting Sardinia and staff selecting Malta. That’s why each islands will be part of Delta’s map in Summer season 2026.
To rejoice, Delta is providing introductory offers to each Sardinia and Malta, accessible now for a limited-time.
A primary-of-its-kind Route Race
The Route Race invited SkyMiles Members and Delta folks to form the airline’s community in a method no different airline has finished earlier than. Sardinia, Malta and Ibiza every lined up on the beginning line, and over 5 days of spirited voting, almost 150K folks made their voices heard.
The outcomes have been tight: SkyMiles Members gave Sardinia the sting, whereas Delta staff topped Malta their favourite. With each locations rating on the prime for 2 of its most necessary communities, Delta selected so as to add each to its map, turning these votes into two new summer season getaways.
“We’re persevering with so as to add extra alternative and distinctive locations for our SkyMiles members with new service to Malta and Sardinia, two locations beforehand unserved from the U.S.” stated Paul Baldoni, senior vp community planning. “We are able to now say that our community isn’t just constructed for our most loyal prospects, however by them.”
Sardinia: The island that blends magnificence and custom
Sardinia didn’t simply win the Route Race with Members, it gained over imaginations. Assume mornings spent mountaineering rugged cliffs, afternoons diving into turquoise coves, and evenings of handmade pasta paired with Cannonau wine underneath the celebs. That is the rhythm of life that 1000’s voted for, and shortly, it’s one Delta prospects can expertise nonstop firsthand. Extra than simply beautiful surroundings, Sardinia is among the world’s 5 official Blue Zones, the place folks usually dwell previous 100, due to a life-style that blends good meals, lively dwelling and robust neighborhood ties. It’s a spot the place historical past whispers from historical ruins, coastlines stretch for miles, and each meal looks like a celebration.
Malta: The island that blends historical past and solar
Malta looks like a dwelling storybook. Sooner or later, vacationers can wander the UNESCO-listed streets of Valletta or discover fortresses which have stood for hundreds of years. The following, they’re crusing throughout turquoise bays towards the Blue Lagoon. It’s a vacation spot that mixes historical past, tradition and rest in equal measure. Malta can also be dwelling to megalithic temples older than Stonehenge and Egypt’s pyramids, making it one of many world’s most fascinating cultural crossroads. From diving shipwrecks to watching the sundown from Dingli Cliffs, each nook of Malta presents a brand new story to inform.
JFK: Your gateway to Sardinia and Malta
The journey begins from New York-JFK, the place Delta One® prospects can benefit from the Delta One Lounge at JFK earlier than takeoff – its tranquil house, connoisseur eating, premium drinks and attentive service units the tone for what‘s forward.
From there, prospects may have their alternative of those two Mediterranean choices on the Boeing 767-300ER, with service to Sardinia starting Could 20, 2026, working 4 occasions weekly, and repair to Malta starting June 7, 2026, with three weekly flights.
On each routes, prospects will get pleasure from 4 product experiences: Delta One®, Delta Premium Choose, Delta Consolation and Delta Most important. Delta One® prospects get pleasure from lie-flat seats, chef-curated meals and unique Missoni-designed facilities, paired with Taittinger champagne, famend for its distinctive and constant high quality. Throughout all merchandise, prospects profit from curated eating and Delta Studio leisure, and SkyMiles Members can get pleasure from quick, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi introduced by T-Cellular. An expertise designed with intention making the journey as pleasant because the vacation spot.
Connecting extra of the world
Flying to 300+ locations and nonetheless rising, Delta continues to develop its world community to attach vacationers with the world’s most sought-after cities. With Sardinia becoming a member of the schedule in Summer season 2026, Delta strengthens its main place as the most important U.S. service to Italy, the place it already serves Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and Catania, whereas additionally including Malta as a brand new gateway to the Mediterranean.
These routes mark the subsequent chapter in Delta’s record-setting trans-Atlantic enlargement, bringing prospects even nearer to the European locations they love most.
Native Official Quotes
Silvio Pippobello, CEO of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (Geasar S.p.A.) stated, “The launch of the nonstop Olbia–New York JFK route, operated by Delta Air Strains, one of many world’s largest and most necessary carriers, marks a historic and strategic milestone for our Island. With this flight, Sardinia takes a major step ahead, establishing itself on the worldwide stage and opening new alternatives for tourism and financial development. On the identical time, Sardinian residents may have the possibility to fly on to america, strengthening the bond between our neighborhood and some of the related worldwide markets. This achievement has been made doable due to the fixed help of the Sardinia Area, aviation authorities, native administrations, in addition to commerce associations and all tourism stakeholders who’ve believed on this undertaking all through its greater than two-year growth. To Delta Air Strains, we prolong our honest appreciation for embracing this problem, for which we guarantee our strongest and most concrete cooperation.”
Alan Borg, CEO of Malta Worldwide Airport stated, “The launch of a direct route between Malta and New York by Delta marks a historic milestone for our islands and for Malta Worldwide Airport. As the primary scheduled transatlantic service from Malta operated by a US service, this landmark growth not solely strengthens our route community and widens our world attain considerably, but additionally aligns with the Malta Tourism Authority’s long-term imaginative and prescient to draw high quality tourism to our islands. Linking our islands immediately with the Huge Apple opens thrilling alternatives for tourism and enterprise between Malta and the US, whereas additional showcasing Malta’s attractiveness as a vibrant, year-round vacation spot.”
Dr. Ian Borg, Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Overseas Affairs and Tourism stated, “It is a landmark growth for the Maltese Islands, and for the long-standing ties between Malta and the US. It strengthens our tourism potential within the North American market, to draw discerning vacationers who can actually recognize Malta’s distinctive and genuine journey experiences. It additionally empowers extra social, cultural and financial collaborations between our nations.”
