Delta Launches First-Ever Nonstop Flights from New York to Sardinia on 20 May 2026

Delta Air Lines will launch the first-ever nonstop service between the United States and Sardinia on 20 May 2026, with four weekly flights connecting New York JFK directly to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport. The route fills a long-standing gap for travellers who have previously had to connect through Rome, Milan, or another European hub to reach the island.

The service operates on a Boeing 767-300ER. Outbound flights depart JFK at 6:25 p.m. and arrive in Olbia the following morning at around 9 a.m. local time. The return leg leaves Olbia at 11 p.m., touching down at JFK just after 2:30 p.m. Seating options span Delta One (business class), Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin across the four-cabin aircraft.

The route was chosen through Delta’s Route Race initiative, in which SkyMiles members voted Sardinia as their preferred new European summer destination.

Why this matters

Sardinia has long attracted summer visitors in large numbers but has been one of the most time-consuming Italian destinations to reach from North America. A direct JFK flight cuts what was typically a 12–15 hour journey (including layovers) to a single overnight crossing of roughly nine hours.

Four weekly departures run throughout the summer season, with the route expected to operate until late September 2026. Seats are available to book now at delta.com.

Planning a Sardinia trip

Olbia sits at the northern tip of the island, directly adjacent to the Costa Smeralda — Sardinia’s most celebrated stretch of coastline, known for its white-sand beaches and crystalline water. But the island extends well beyond the upscale resort belt along its northeast shore.

Inland, Sardinia holds prehistoric Nuragic towers, cork-oak forests, traditional villages largely untouched by mass tourism, and a food culture that has almost nothing in common with mainland Italian cooking. The south and west coasts offer their own quieter beaches, and the capital Cagliari makes an excellent urban base.

Our Sardinia travel guide covers the full breadth of the island, from where to stay on the Costa Smeralda to routes through the mountainous interior. For inspiration on what to do once you arrive, our things to do in Sardinia page highlights experiences across different parts of the island.

Travellers looking to combine Sardinia with time on the Italian mainland should read our guide to getting to Italy, which covers the main gateways, domestic connections, and ferry routes linking the island to ports on the mainland.