Sardinia wins Delta's Route Race (along with Malta). From summer 2026 direct New York-Olbia flight active.
We did it: we are the winners. Sardinia, as TFC predicted, won the Route Race launched by Delta [...]
Delta
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OLB
We did it: we are i winners. La Sardinia, as TFC had predicted, won the Route Race launched by Delta a few weeks ago. But it is not the only destination to occupy the top step of the podium: joining it is also Malta. Apparently, as Delta explains in a press release, Sardinia was chosen by SkyMiles members and Malta by the company's employees.
In this article:
What is the Route Race
Let's take a step back For all those who rightly 'missed' this challenge. Shortly after mid-August, thehe American company has decided to involve members of SkyMiles. - Delta's ff, ed. - as well as its employees and have them choose the new route served starting in summer 2026. There were 3 options: Ibizia, Malta e Sardinia. Delta estimates that about 150 thousand people voted, which crowned two of the 'pearls' of the Mediterranean.
The new routes: New York (JFK)-Olbia and New York (JFK)-Malta
Campanilism aside, I find it to be a great news the opening of these two routes: trivially because these destinations are not served by either Delta or other U.S. carriers.
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As for the New York-Olbia, the inaugural flight will be on May 20, 2026: route will be operated 4 times a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from New York; Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from Olbia) with the now-defunct Boeing 767-300. Departure from Olbia is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. while arrival at JFK is scheduled for 2:35 p.m. (local time); taking off from the Big Apple, however, at 6:25 p.m. and landing in Costa Smeralda after about 8 1/2 hours of flight time, at 9:00 a.m. the following day (local time).
From June 7, 2026, on the other hand, the New York (JFK)-Malta route will be active: in this case will be. 3 the weekly frequencies (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday from New York; Monday, Thursday and Saturday from Malta). Takeoff from Malta is scheduled at 10:20 a.m. and arrival from JFK is scheduled at 2:50 p.m. (local time); departure from New York, on the other hand, will be at 5:30 p.m. while landing will be at 8:20 a.m. the following day.
Again, the aircraft that will operate the flights will be the Boeing 767-300. Passengers will be able to choose between 3 classes: business (26 chairs), premium economy (18) and economy (172; the first 3 rows are called "Delta Comfort" and offer more legroom ), for a total of 216 seats.
Flights are already available for purchase: prices, as you can see from the screenshot, are quite high; we are in the range of $1,000 - cent more, cent less - each way.
