For the first time in Delta history, SkyMiles Members and Delta employees had the power to decide which new European destination would join the airline’s network. Thousands of votes were cast, but the winners were split, with Members choosing Sardinia and employees choosing Malta. Both islands will join Delta’s map in summer 2026.
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The Route Race invited SkyMiles Members and Delta people to shape the airline’s network in a way no other airline has done before. Sardinia, Malta and Ibiza each lined up on the starting line, and over five days of spirited voting, nearly 150K people made their voices heard.
The results were tight: SkyMiles Members gave Sardinia the edge, while Delta employees crowned Malta their favorite. With both destinations ranking at the top for two of its most important communities, Delta chose to add both to its map, turning these votes into two new summer getaways.
“We are continuing to add more choice and unique destinations for our SkyMiles members with new service to Malta and Sardinia, two destinations previously unserved from the U.S.” said Paul Baldoni, senior vice president network planning. “We can now say that our network is not just built for our most loyal customers, but by them.”
The journey begins from New York-JFK, where Delta One customers can enjoy the Delta One Lounge at JFK before takeoff – its tranquil space, gourmet dining, premium beverages and attentive service sets the tone for what‘s ahead.
From there, customers will have their choice of these two Mediterranean options on the Boeing 767-300ER, with service to Sardinia (OLB) beginning May 20, 2026, operating four times weekly, and service to Malta (MLA) beginning June 7, 2026, with three weekly flights.
On both routes, customers will enjoy four product experiences: Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort and Delta Main. Delta One customers enjoy lie-flat seats, chef-curated meals and exclusive Missoni-designed amenities, paired with Taittinger champagne, renowned for its exceptional and consistent quality. Across all products, customers benefit from curated dining and Delta Studio entertainment, and SkyMiles Members can enjoy fast, free Delta Sync Wi-Fi presented by T-Mobile. An experience designed with intention making the journey as enjoyable as the destination.