Over the past several years, airlines have been racing to add boutique routes to their networks to off-the-beaten-path destinations such as secondary cities and under-the-radar islands that feel fresh.
Now, Delta Air Lines has gone one step further by handing its route planning over to travelers—at least for a pair of 2026 summer destinations. For five days in late August, travelers were able to vote on which European island—Sardinia, Italy; Malta; or Ibiza, Spain—they wanted for a new U.S. nonstop flight. Dubbed the “Route Race,” SkyMiles members and employees cast their ballots within the Delta app for one of the three destinations, all originating from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Thousands of votes were cast and though the airline said there would only be one winner, this week it announced that both Sardinia and Malta would be added to the route map.
“The results were tight: SkyMiles Members gave Sardinia the edge, while Delta employees crowned Malta their favorite,” the airline explained in a press release. “With both destinations ranking at the top for two of its most important communities, Delta chose to add both to its map.”
Both itineraries will take place aboard Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, with service to Sardinia beginning May 20, 2026, and operating four times weekly, and service to Malta beginning June 7, 2026, with three weekly flights. Delta is currently offering introductory deals on airfares to both Sardinia and Malta.
The program is a notable pivot from the usual top-down network announcements. It also underscores how carriers are chasing premium leisure demand and lands amid a broader wave of creative map-making.
This summer, Delta launched New York to Catania, its first Sicily nonstop, and United has pushed into even less obvious North Atlantic locales like Madeira, Portugal, and Nuuk, Greenland.
Currently, no U.S. gateway offers nonstop service to either Sardinia or Malta. Here’s what you need to know to plan a trip.
Get your Mediterranean fix in the seaside town of Marsaskala on the island of Malta.
Photo by Maltese Robinson Robinson/Shutterstock
Malta
The independent island archipelago in the central Mediterranean Sea blends deep history with easy island hopping. Malta has both UNESCO-listed streets along with turquoise bays and picturesque beaches.
Travelers can wander the honey-hued streets of Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage site where baroque architecture frames lively cafés, gin bars, and harbor views. Beyond the capital, you can swim in the Blue Lagoon on Comino, explore ancient temples like Ħaġar Qim that predate Stonehenge, or dive into shipwrecks and limestone caves favored by scuba enthusiasts. Gozo, Malta’s smaller sister island, offers cliff-top hikes, boutique wineries, and sandy beaches—a slower pace that contrasts nicely with the buzz of the main island.
Because of its location between Italy and North Africa, its peak season is particularly long, ideal for visitors who want to visit in the spring or fall shoulder season.
Where to stay
When visiting Malta, consider Casa Ellul or Rosselli, 19th-century and 17th-century palazzo-turned-boutique-hotels in Valletta. Situated on the waterfront with views of Valletta is Cugo Gran Macina Grand Harbour, a design-forward hotel in a former fortress with 21 large suites.
Sardinia, Italy
Sardinia, located southeast of Rome in the Mediterranean, is known for laid-back beaches, dramatic cliff hikes, and scenic seaside towns. Although similar in size to Sicily in terms of area, it has 3 million fewer inhabitants.
Along the Costa Smeralda, visitors will find sparkling beaches, kaleidoscopic reefs, and chic coastal villages, while just inland, winding roads lead to mountain towns where shepherds still tend flocks and pecorino cheese is still made by hand. History buffs can explore the island’s enigmatic nuraghi—cone-shaped stone fortresses that date back to the Bronze Age—while outdoor adventurers can hike into Su Gorropu Gorge or kayak through hidden sea caves along the Gulf of Orosei.
Where to stay
Afar contributor Jenn Rice recommends Le Dune Piscinas, a mining warehouse turned luxury hotel set along an 11-mile stretch of deserted beach on Costa Verde, amid Sardinia’s otherworldly sand dunes. For something closer to the action, Romazzino, a Belmond Hotel, exudes old-world glamour and offers private beach access.
This story was originally published in August 2025 and was updated on September 17, 2025, to include current information.
