Summer's not over just yet, but Delta is already hashing out plans for some new routes over to Europe for next year … and asking flyers to help them choose between a trio of Mediterranean islands.
The airline is launching a public vote, asking SkyMiles members to pick between nonstop routes to:
- Ibiza (IBZ), the buzzy Spanish isle known for parties and raves
- Malta (MLA), the island nation off the southern coast of Italy
- Olbia (OLB), a town on the Italian island of Sardinia
Voting will begin next Monday, Aug. 25 and run until 5 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 29 – only available to logged-in SkyMiles members through the Delta smartphone app. The airline says it will officially announce the winner roughly 30 days later, meaning travelers should expect some news in late September.
It's unclear which Delta hub this new flight might depart from, but smart money is on New York City (JFK). Regardless, it'll be a first: No U.S. airline has ever operated regular nonstop commercial service to any of the islands on Delta's ballot.
Whether Delta is actually making network planning a democratic process or this is just a brilliant bit of marketing is anyone's guess. In the terms and conditions, Delta did say that Delta employees will get votes, too. And, it “reserved the right to cancel, suspend, or modify the campaign” if their are any integrity issues in the voting process, which it says will be “determined by Delta in its sole discretion.” Regardless, it is a fun approach.
Of course, Delta already knows where its flyers want to go through industry booking data, so it's likely that the appetite for all three of these places is about the same. Perhaps this vote is a tie-breaker anyway.
And it's the latest sign that airlines are increasingly looking beyond the major cities like Rome (FCO), London-Heathrow (LHR), and Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) as they expand and add new routes overseas.
Both Delta and United added their first-ever nonstop flights to the Italian isle of Sicily this year, with Delta flying nonstop from New York to Catania (CTA) and United flying between Newark (EWR) and Palermo (PMO) this summer. United has gone further than any other U.S. carrier with nonstops to destinations like Madeira (FNC) and Faro (FAO), Bilbao (BIO) in northern Spain, and even Greenland with a nonstop flight to Nuuk (GOH)!
The Case for Ibiza
Nonstop flights to Ibiza, brought to you by Liquid IV!
If this vote was limited to travelers under 30, it's probably Ibiza in a landslide. The party-hearty Spanish island is popular among Western Europeans – and I'm sure plenty of American partiers, young and old, would like to join the fray.
Besides its reputation, Ibiza is a beautiful island that has more to offer than just house music and stiff drinks. It's also a UNESCO World Heritage site!
The Case for Sardinia
Can you really have too many Italy flights? No, you cannot.
Airlines love flying to Italy because travelers love flying to Italy! The Sicily flights must have gone reasonably well for Delta this summer as the airline eyes up another Italian destination. Everyone wants to go, and why not try someplace new? Milan, Venice, Rome, and even Naples are tried and true, but they're tired. Give people a reason to visit a new island in the Mediterranean Sea, and they'll probably do it.
The place looks spectacular by the way, with huge, rocky coasts and sandy beaches throughout. I'll admit this was never on my radar until now, but a nonstop Delta flight would pique my interest.
The Case for Malta
I'm Gunnar Olson, and I officially endorse Malta for this vote.
We look for Malta flight deals all that time for our Thrifty Traveler Premium members, and that's because it's an exceptionally cool destination where it's not always easy to find cheap flights. Another Mediterranean island of great interest to our team, it's also full of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, archeological hotspots, and some of the most ancient free-standing structures in the world.
But you don't need a history book to love Malta. It's dripping with Mediterranean vibes, scenic rocky beaches, and plenty of tourist-friendly vacation spots.
You can have it all in Malta, and that's what I want out of this vote. Join me on Team Malta when voting opens next week!
Bottom Line
If done in good faith, this is a fun way for Delta to engage SkyMiles members and get realtime feedback on where travelers want to fly next year and beyond.
The destinations of Ibiza, Malta, and Sardinia are all cool, interesting, and new nonstop options for travelers, but which island will prevail? Get ready to vote next week, Delta flyers!
