As if nonstop flights to Malta hadn’t been massive information sufficient, Delta continues to construct up on their European community by including the first-ever nonstop service between america and…
Sardinia!
Italy’s second-largest island (after Sicily), and one of many main seaside locations within the Mediterranean, Sardinia is known for its Caribbean-like white sand seashores, historic heritage, hearty meals, and rolling vineyards.
Regardless of its plain reputation amongst Europeans, Sardinia stays a comparatively hidden gem throughout the pond. That is largely on account of its lack of transatlantic connectivity.
Beginning Could 20, 2026, it will now not be the case:
As confirmed in a press launch issued this week, Delta will turn out to be the primary airline to service an inaugural U.S. to Sardinia route. Extra particularly, they may provide nonstop flights from their New York (JFK) hub to Olbia-Costa Smeralda (OLB), within the north of Sardinia.
The route can be operational 4 instances per week, on the wings of the Boeing 767-300ER, outfitted with Delta One, Delta Premium Choose, Delta Consolation and Delta Most important.
Their equal to First Class, Delta One options lie-flat seats, chef-signed meals to be washed down with Taittinger champagne, and Missoni facilities. The remaining seating classes will not be as well-resourced, however they do embrace curated eating and Delta Studio leisure.
26 seats are reserved for Delta One, 18 for Premium Choose friends, 21 in Consolation, and 151 in Most important. Timetables are but to be introduced; nonetheless, we do know round-trip fares will common $1,100 for the latter (economic system).
Contemplating Sardinia’s relative anonymity amongst People, Delta’s announcement took many abruptly. For those who have been questioning how this offbeat Italian island obtained picked out of quite a few different Mediterranean hotspots, that is what we went down:
Delta held a so-called Route Race, inviting each Delta stakeholders and workers, and SkyMiles Members to vote on their most well-liked new vacation spot for summer time 2026.
Sardinia ranked in a highly-competitive prime three, alongside Malta and Ibiza. Following 5 days of voting, with over 150,000 SkyMiles member votes solid, Sardinia surprisingly raced forward of Spain’s party-centric island.
Concurrently, Delta individuals selected Malta. Thus, they have been elected as Delta’s new European locations, each beforehand unserved from the U.S., and in Sardinia’s case, the first-ever direct Transatlantic connection.
For those who’ve obtained up to now in studying, and also you’re questioning why choose Sardinia over Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and even Sicily, here is the briefest abstract of what makes the ‘European Caribbean’ so fascinating—as if that title weren’t sufficient indication.
You may be flying to Olbia, a small ciy within the north of Sardinia appearing as a gateway to the beautiful Costa Smeralda. Because the identify suggests, image turquoise-colored seas lining white-sand shores.
Costa Smeralda can also be peppered with full of life Sardinian cities, like Porto Cervo, distinguished by its luxurious buying scene, yacht-dominated marina, and upscale resorts.
In search of one thing a little bit extra off-the-beaten-path? Take a look at San Pantaleo, a country mountain village overlooking the coast, criss-crossed by cobblestone streets, and residential to a plethora of family-owned trattorie serving freshly-caught seafood and selfmade pasta.
Trattoria Balbacana is especially common amongst locals.
Eager on some island-hopping? Take a day journey to the Maddalena archipelago, simply off the Emerald Coast. The primary landmass within the island chain, La Maddalena, is a brief 15-minute boat trip from Palau port, and it is recognized for its assortment of pastel-painted buildings.
They arrive in each coloration beneath the solar: pink, ocher, yellow, inexperienced, coral, you identify it.
Though Olbia is primarily recognized for being within the neighborhood of Costa Smeralda, you’ll be able to journey past the Blue Flag coast in the direction of Bosa, yet one more color-burst of a metropolis constructed on the banks of a scenic river, and on the foot of a monumental historic citadel.
On the northwest coast, Alghero is a must-see cease. A novel walled metropolis influenced by Catalan structure, it has distinguished sea partitions, an unbelievable choice of eating places, and the close by Capo Caccia play host to the myth-enveloped Neptune’s Grotto.
Within the occasion you are persevering with your journey south, ensure you add the bustling Sardinian capital, Cagliari, to your checklist. With its wall-encircled heart, traversed by medieval pathways, historic towers, and Roman amphitheater carved into arduous rock, it simply exudes Previous World appeal.
A brief 30-minute drive out of Cagliari, Cantine Argiolas is likely one of the most infamous household wine producers on the island, and so they provide wine tasting excursions.
Although not as well-known because the northern seashores, the coastal stretch in southern Sardinia is equally-gorgeous, with Chia and Villasimius specifically standing out with their mushy cream-colored sands, and teal, heat seas.
Want any extra convicing? Learn additional about Sardinia—and its pure and artifical wonders—right here.
Subscribe To Our Newest Posts
Enter your electronic mail tackle to subscribe to Journey Off Path’s newest breaking journey information, straight to your inbox.
