Who doesn’t love Delta?
All it takes is a flight on Frontier to confirm Delta is as good as it gets for U.S. travelers no matter the destination.
Whether flying domestic or taking a grand vacation abroad, they have a massive global footprint, even bigger than my size-13 clodhoppers.
Hopping the around the U.S. is easy, but we all know planning an international getaway takes extra time and effort, which is ultimately why many simply opt for copy and paste destinations like Cancun and Paris.
But that doesn’t have to be the case, especially with some game-changing routes Delta is set to launch later this year.
Our expert team here at Travel Off Path handpicked our personal faves that we truly believe are well worth the wait — not yet another flight to Barcelona or Cabo.
These are Delta’s 3 most exciting new international flights for 2026 (from soonest to latest launch dates):
Boston, MA ➡️ Nice, France
There are few places across Europe that live up to the word “paradise” more than the French Riviera.
I know so because I had my first taste of it (literally and figuratively) 2 years ago when I finally crossed Marseille off my longstanding wishlist.
Truthfully, I’ve heard Nice is even better both from a beauty and safety perspective.
Known for pebbly beaches along turquoise water, a kaleidoscopic Old Town oozing charm and history, and French elegance without Cannes’ prices, this popular beach city is worth the long-haul flight.
That said, oftentimes, travelers are forced to sit through an unwanted layover. But Delta hopes to alleviate that headache for East Coasters with their new direct route from Boston.
Not only is Nice, well, nice, but it’s also a great gateway to explore surrounding beach stunners with Antibes to the west and Monaco to the east.
New Flight Info:
- Boston, Massachusetts (BOS) to Nice, France (NCE)
- Frequency: 3 times weekly
- Fleet: A330-300
- Launch Date: May 16, 2026
New York City ➡️ Olbia, Italy
If you’ve delved into an Italian getaway any time soon, chances are you’ve scoured flight deals to Rome.
As amazing and iconic as Rome may be, Italy isn’t a one-and-done destination.
There’s so much to experience, whether it’s cruising narrow alleyways by Vespa, lounging in the sun in the Amalfi, or finally ticking Venice off your bucket list.
That said, there’s also a plethora of no-name vacation spots that will blow you away just as much, if not more.
One of those is Olbia, a gorgeous port city on the paradisiacal island of Sardinia.
This sleepy island, brimming with postcard-worthy coves and color-splashed villages, is one of Italy’s most delightful escapes to avoid crowds and immerse in real Italy versus more popular tourist traps.
Olbia, specifically, makes for a great base but a better launchpad for Sardinia’s dreamiest corners, such as Costa Smeralda, La Maddalena, or under-hyped gems like Bosa.
New Flight Info:
- New York City (JFK) to Olbia, Italy (OLB)
- Frequency: 4 times weekly
- Fleet: 767-300ER
- Launch Date: May 20, 2026
New York City ➡️ Malta
Perhaps the most highly anticipated new route is Delta’s upcoming flight to Malta — America’s only direct flight to one of Europe’s trendiest island getaways.
The map-dot nation of Malta has been a raging Mediterranean hotspot for years, but is just now becoming more accessible for Americans to see for themselves how wondrous and reminiscent to Italy it is.
In fact, it’s Malta’s first Transatlantic flight in decades, making this truly game-changing for travelers looking to add a new stamp to their passport collection.
Comprised of the main island of Malta, along with the small neighboring island of Gozo, any way you divvy up your trip, you’re destined for vibrant beach days, breathtaking Old World charm, and incredibly underrated cuisine given its near identical palate to Italy.
To make matters easier, you can start with a bang! The airport is only a 15-minute drive to Valletta, Malta’s fortified capital.
New Flight Info:
- New York City (JFK) to Malta (MLA)
- Frequency: 3 times weekly
- Fleet: 767-300ER
- Launch Date: June 7, 2026
