One of the biggest airlines in the US could fly directly to Malta next summer, if the country beats two other top Mediterranean destinations in a customer poll.
In a post on the airline’s website, between August 25 and 29, Delta Air Lines is asking members of its loyalty program, SkyMiles, to take part in what it calls a ‘Route Race’ and use the app to vote on which island out of Malta, Ibiza and Sardinia the airline should add to its list of destinations in 2026.
The results of the poll will be revealed in late September.
Delta Air Lines is one of the largest airlines in the United States, and has over 4,000 flights daily and serves 275 destinations in 50 countries.
This year, Delta Air Lines was named Best Global Airline for the Americas by APEX and Best Airline in North America by Skytrax.
Delta describes Malta as “perfect for customers who want their trip to feel like a story.”
“Malta blends centuries of history with sunny Mediterranean charm. One day you might wander ancient fortresses or UNESCO-listed streets, the next you’re on a boat headed for turquoise bays. It’s a destination for those who want culture, scenery, and relaxation all in one place.”
Describing the poll, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning, Paul Baldoni, said the airline’s customers were at the centre of everything it did.
“The Route Race is a celebration of their influence, giving our community a voice in where they want to fly next and inviting them to help shape Delta’s global network. The destinations where Delta flies are more than just dots on a map – they’re gateways to culture, connection and possibility, and this is a chance for our members and employees to bring one of them closer,” he said.
RELATED STORIES
This summer, the airline operated its largest-ever transatlantic schedule, including the launch of Catania, Italy, Delta’s first nonstop flight to Sicily.
Currently, there are no direct flights between Malta and the US. In 2024, Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg said it was unlikely that a connection would be set up in the near future, due to the small size of the market.
“The mathematics around operating a long-haul flight compared to a short one are dramatically different. Long-haul costs an airline around three to four times more to operate,” Borg said.
A year prior, Prime Minister Robert Abela had discussed the possibility of Ethiopian Airlines using Malta as a stopover for flights to the United States when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali visited Malta for a few hours.