Travelers now have a new flight option to Italy’s Puglia region, known for its location near the Adriatic Sea, rich cuisine, and medieval architecture. Neos, an airline owned by Italian travel company Alpitour, will introduce the first-ever nonstop service between Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) in Puglia’s capital and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The service is set to commence on June 3 and will initially operate from New York on Tuesdays and from Bari on Wednesdays until October 15.
The flights will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 with 255 seats. This aircraft includes 28 “premium” seats akin to premium economy on other airlines, along with 327 economy seats. Among these are 36 adults-only Economy Extra Plus seats and 18 Economy Extra seats that offer additional legroom.
Michele Emiliano, president of the Puglia region, commented on the new route: “New York-Bari is much more than an air link. It is an embrace between Puglia and the world, a bridge that unites traditions, affection, heritage and opportunity, especially as many Americans are proud of their families’ roots in Puglia.”
Puglia was recognized by The New York Times as one of the “52 Places to Go” in 2019 due to its baroque architecture, culinary heritage, and coastal Gargano National Park.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, flights and seat availability at Bari airport increased significantly from 2019 to 2024. However, most new flights were within Europe with only limited intercontinental services to places like the United Arab Emirates.
The introduction of Neos’ new flight could lead to more transatlantic options if successful. It may also encourage competitors such as Delta Air Lines and United Airlines to consider launching their own nonstop routes to Bari.
Neos’ schedule for this new route includes departures from JFK at 4 p.m. local time on Tuesdays arriving at BRI at 8 a.m. local time on Wednesdays; return flights leave BRI at 11:30 a.m., reaching JFK by 1:50 p.m. local time the same day.
