Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and Tourism Affairs Ian Borg described the route as a landmark in U.S.–Malta relations, strengthening social, cultural, and economic ties.
Expanding Delta’s Transatlantic Network
Delta Air Lines has announced that, beginning in 2026, it will introduce nonstop service from New York to Malta—marking the first-ever direct link between the Mediterranean island and the United States. The move is set to enhance Malta’s profile not only as a leisure destination but also as a leading global gaming hub. Sardinia, Italy, will also be included in Delta’s new slate of routes.
The airline revealed the winners of its inaugural “Route Race,” a campaign that allowed SkyMiles members and Delta employees to vote for potential new destinations. Sardinia topped the SkyMiles member ballot, while Malta was the preferred choice among Delta’s staff.
“We continue to expand choice and open up unique destinations for our SkyMiles members,” said Paul Baldoni, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning. “By adding Malta and Sardinia—destinations with no previous direct service from the U.S.—our network becomes not just built for our most loyal customers, but shaped by them.”
Flights to Sardinia’s Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport will begin operating four times per week in May 2026, followed by thrice-weekly service to Malta starting in June.
Malta: Tourism Gateway and Gaming Powerhouse
For Malta, this development represents a milestone: the first scheduled direct U.S. flights operated by an American carrier. Alan Borg, CEO of Malta International Airport, called the launch “a historic achievement for our islands and the airport alike,” noting that it supports the government’s long-term goal of attracting high-value tourism.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign and Tourism Affairs Ian Borg described the route as a landmark in U.S.–Malta relations, strengthening social, cultural, and economic ties.
Beyond tourism, Malta continues to thrive as a global gaming hub. Originally known for pioneering consumer-facing online gambling, the country has since evolved into a center for B2B gaming services, thanks to forward-looking regulation. According to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the industry contributes nearly 7% of Malta’s gross value added (about €1.4 billion). Industry observers credit the nation’s success to flexible legislation and an openness to innovation.
Sardinia: Blue Zone Lifestyle Meets Transatlantic Travel
Sardinia, the second-largest island in the Mediterranean, brings a different flavor to Delta’s route map. Known as one of the world’s “Blue Zones”—regions with unusually high numbers of centenarians—the island offers dramatic coastlines, deep-rooted traditions, and a celebrated culinary heritage.
Local leaders hailed the New York–Olbia route as both historic and strategic. Silvio Pippobello, CEO of Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport, emphasized that the service places Sardinia firmly on the global stage:
“This connection creates new opportunities for tourism and economic growth while giving Sardinians direct access to the U.S. and closer ties to one of the world’s most important markets.”
