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Delta to Ibiza, Malta or Sardinia? SkyMiles members to vote for newest European route

Aug. 20, 2025
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4 min read
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
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Delta Air Lines is planning to launch nonstop service next summer to a beautiful southern European island where no U.S. airline currently flies.

Exactly which one? That’s up to you.

Next week, Delta will let its SkyMiles loyalty members cast their vote for which of three destinations they’d like to see the carrier fly to next summer.

Updating the map: The most exciting new airline routes of 2025 (so far)

And the airline is vowing to launch flights to whichever one wins.

The three contenders are:

  • Malta, the Mediterranean island between Sicily and northern Africa
  • Sardinia, off the coast of Italy
  • Ibiza, off the coast of Spain

SkyMiles members will be able to cast their vote for their favorite of those three destinations next week.

Delta will open voting Aug. 25 through its mobile app, and members will have until Aug. 29 to make their pick.

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Related: Best credit cards for Delta flyers

An exciting new destination ... regardless of which one wins

Whether the Atlanta-based carrier ultimately ends up flying to Malta, Sardinia or Ibiza, it’ll be a groundbreaking new route.

Ibiza, Spain, at dusk. PAOLO GRAZIOSI/GETTY IMAGES

No airline currently flies between the U.S. and any of those three destinations.

But in recent years, airlines (including Delta) have taken note of how unrelenting the demand has been for travel to southern Europe — including more off-the-beaten-path cities across the Atlantic.

That trend led Delta to launch nonstop service this past summer from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Catania, on the Italian island of Sicily.

Meanwhile, top competitor United Airlines has launched a slew of routes to less-well-known destinations, from Bilbao and Palma de Mallorca in Spain to Greenland and Mongolia.

For its part, Delta is framing this “Route Race” as a way to give its members a voice in where the carrier flies.

Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta. DADO DANIELA/GETTY IMAGES

“The destinations where Delta flies are more than just dots on the map — they’re gateways to culture, connection and possibility,” Paul Baldoni, Delta senior vice president of network planning, said in a statement announcing the news.

The carrier plans to announce the winner within 30 days of when voting closes.

Ibiza, Malta or Sardinia ... take your pick!

What would be your pick?

Each has appeal and novelty — not to mention hotels you can book on points.

“Personally, I’d love a direct route to Sardinia,” TPG Senior Travel Editor Lyndsey Matthews offered. “It has all the delicious cuisine and gorgeous beaches travelers seek on the coasts of mainland Italy, but with way fewer crowds.”

Worth noting: Sardinia is home to the brand-new W Sardinia — Poltu Quatu (part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio). But there are other alluring options in Ibiza and Malta too, including a Westin (Marriott Bonvoy) in Ibiza and a Hilton in Malta.

W Sardinia — Poltu Quatu. W HOTELS

Bottom line

Which contender will come out on top? That's up to SkyMiles members next week — a rare opportunity for customers to weigh in on an airline's route map.

Delta did not yet reveal which U.S. city would be connected with the new destination, so count that (along with the destination itself) as a key development to watch.

Related reading:

Featured image by CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.