Delta adds nonstop flights from JFK to Sardinia and Malta after customer vote

Bookings for both routes opened immediately after the announcement for travelers paying cash or redeeming SkyMiles points. Award travel for round trips to Sardinia generally starts between 70,000 and 80,000 miles, with some late-summer options available for just under 70,000 miles. For those traveling to Malta in August, similar pricing applies.

Eligible Delta-American Express credit card holders can receive a discount of 15% on award bookings.

The new routes mark the first time any airline will offer direct connections between the U.S. and either Sardinia or Malta. This expansion comes as interest in southern Europe continues to grow among American travelers; last summer saw both Delta and United Airlines add nonstop service to Sicily.

Delta is deploying its Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with three cabins—Delta One (lie-flat seats), Premium Select, and Main Cabin—for these flights. Passengers booked in Delta One will have access to the airline’s dedicated lounge and security entrance at JFK Terminal 4.

Paul Baldoni, Delta's senior vice president of network planning, said: "We can now say that our network is not just built for our most loyal customers, but by them."

Both destinations also feature hotels that can be booked using points programs such as Marriott Bonvoy.