Delta will launch brand-new service to Croatia this summer
Delta just announced its latest long-haul route aimed at transporting vaccinated Americans.
In just under two months, the Atlanta-based carrier will launch its first-ever nonstop service to Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV). Delta's four-weekly flights from New York-JFK will take off on July 2, providing flyers with one-stop itineraries from 44 U.S. cities. Seasonal service is scheduled to end on Oct. 3, though it could get extended depending on demand and other factors.
You'll find the full schedule below, with flights operating on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the eastbound direction and Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the westbound direction.
Delta will deploy a 226-seat Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, outfitted with 26 Delta One pods, 35 Comfort+ extra-legroom seats and 165 standard coach ones for the 4,512-mile route.
While Delta currently has its legacy 767 jets slated to operate the Dubrovnik route, it's possible that some frequencies will get upgraded to the newly retrofitted Boeing widebodies that sport a dedicated premium economy cabin.
Introductory fares weren't immediately available, as the flights will go on sale on Saturday (May 8).
Croatia reopened to select travelers at the beginning of April. In addition to providing proof of accommodation paid in full in advance of arrival, tourists must also present either a negative COVID-19 test taken less than 48 hours before arrival, a vaccination certificate showing fully vaccinated status or a certificate confirming recovery from a recent COVID-19 infection.
Of course, entry policies are always subject to change between now and July 2, and the U.S. Embassy in Croatia notes that the Croatian Border Police have final authority regarding entry into Croatia.
Delta's move to add a brand-new Croatia route comes just weeks after its Big 3 competitor, United, announced the exact same new route-map pin.
United's three-weekly Newark (EWR) to Dubrovnik flights launch on July 8 and run through Oct. 3 aboard a 214-seat Boeing 767-300ER.
Interestingly, American Airlines operated nonstop service from Philadelphia (PHL) to DBV in the summer of 2019. The 4,606-mile flight was operated 106 times that summer by the now-retired 209-seat Boeing 767-300, per Cirium timetables.
In July 2020, at the height of the pandemic, AA announced that it would permanently suspend service to Dubrovnik, though it's possible that could change, especially now that Delta and United are giving Croatia a try.
Related: Where you can go if you're vaccinated
Delta will beat United to becoming the first U.S. airline to start serving Croatia this summer, but it may need to work harder than UA to secure new bookings. With less than two months of lead time, Delta's success will seemingly be tied to how much last-minute demand it can drum up.
In a recent meeting with American Airlines' executives, J.P. Morgan airline analyst Jamie Baker noted that despite Europe's reopening on the horizon, airlines may not be able to make a play for summer travel there, due to crew scheduling requirements and the traditional passenger booking windows.
Of course, this summer could be different thanks to the pent-up demand from pandemic-weary travelers looking for an international, outdoor-friendly escape.
In fact, Delta's convinced that flyers are ready for more passport stamps. "Customers are at the center of everything we do, including where we fly, and the addition of a new outdoor-friendly destination is another sign of the surge in demand we're seeing," Joe Esposito, Delta senior vice president of network planning, said in a statement.
Croatia joins recently announced new and expanded Delta routes to Greece and Iceland from multiple gateways across the U.S. (United is also adding new routes to the aforementioned countries.)
For those looking to stay within the U.S. this summer, Delta has significantly expanded flights to Alaska, mountain destinations in the West and beaches in the south.
From far-flung international jaunts to beachside escapes, Delta has a route for everyone.
| Route | Flight | Departure | Arrival | Operating days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
JFK-DBV | 184 | 7:30 p.m. | 10:45 a.m. | Tue/Thu/Fri/Sat |
DBV-JFK | 185 | 1:00 p.m. | 5:15 p.m. | Wed/Fri/Sat/Sun |
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees