For U.S. travelers
Direct Flights from the USA to Sardinia
Delta Air Lines' new nonstop New York-JFK → Olbia is the first-ever direct connection between the United States and Sardinia.
A historic route — since May 2026
On May 20, 2026, Delta flight DL138 touched down at Olbia-Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB) after 8h 30m from New York-JFK. It was the first nonstop passenger flight ever between the U.S. mainland and Sardinia — a route travelers had been asking for for decades. Getting to Palau and the Costa Smeralda from the East Coast is now a one-flight trip.
Schedule & aircraft
JFK → OLB
Departs New York evening, arrives Olbia next morning — about 8h 30m. Timed for a same-day check-in in Palau.
OLB → JFK
Late-morning departure from Olbia, afternoon arrival at JFK — roughly 9h 30m. Same-day onward domestic connections work well.
Frequency
4x weekly (Mon / Wed / Fri / Sun) during summer season, typically late May through early October. Book early for July–August.
Aircraft
Boeing 767-300ER, 211 seats — Delta One suites (lie-flat), Premium Select, Comfort+ and Main Cabin. SkyMiles earning as normal.
Always confirm times on delta.com — seasonal schedules can shift.
Flying from other U.S. cities
If you're not near New York, the most efficient one-stop routings to Olbia use European hubs:
- Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Detroit → JFK → Olbia (Delta connections)
- Chicago, LA, San Francisco → Rome-FCO → Olbia (ITA Airways, Delta partner)
- Houston, Dallas, Washington → Frankfurt / Munich → Olbia (Lufthansa)
- Seattle, LAX → Paris-CDG → Olbia (Air France, seasonal)
- Anywhere in the U.S. → London-LHR → Olbia (British Airways)
Total travel time from the West Coast is typically 15–17 hours door to door, versus 10–11 hours from the East Coast on the nonstop.
From Olbia airport to Palau
Palau is 40 km / 25 miles north of Olbia airport, about a 40-minute drive on the SS125 coastal road — one of the prettiest stretches on the island. A rental car is strongly recommended: you'll want it for beach-hopping the Costa Smeralda, Cala Coticcio, San Pantaleo and the granite coves around Capo d'Orso. All major U.S. brands (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Sixt, Europcar) have desks at OLB.
Prefer not to drive? Taxi Olbia airport → Palau is about €90–110, roughly 40 minutes. In summer, ARST public buses run 1–2 times a day for ~€5.
Where to stay in Palau after your JFK flight
Vento e Mare offers five self-catering apartments in the old town of Palau — 10 minutes on foot from the port for the Maddalena archipelago ferry. Air conditioning, private parking, and 24/7 self check-in with a keybox — perfect after a transatlantic flight when you land tired and just want to drop your bags. No front-desk wait, no time-zone stress.
Frequently asked questions
Are there direct flights from the United States to Sardinia?
Yes. Since May 2026, Delta Air Lines operates a seasonal nonstop between New York-JFK and Olbia-Costa Smeralda (OLB) — the first-ever direct flight connecting Sardinia to the U.S. The route runs 4 times a week (Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun) on a Boeing 767-300 with 211 seats, typically from late May through early October.
How long is the flight from New York to Olbia?
About 8h 30m eastbound (JFK → OLB) and roughly 9h 30m westbound. The great-circle distance is 6,740 km / 4,188 mi.
Which U.S. cities have connections to Sardinia?
Direct: only New York-JFK (Delta). One-stop from most U.S. hubs via Rome-FCO (ITA Airways, Delta partner), Milan-MXP, Frankfurt (Lufthansa), Munich, Paris-CDG (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM) or London-LHR/LGW (British Airways). Boston, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, LAX and SFO all reach Olbia in one connection.
Do I need a visa or ESTA to visit Sardinia?
U.S. citizens don't need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Starting in 2026 you'll need an ETIAS authorization (€7, valid 3 years) — apply online at least a few days before departure. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your return date.
What's the closest airport to Palau?
Olbia-Costa Smeralda (OLB) is 40 km / 25 mi from Palau — about 35–45 minutes by car. It's the airport Delta flies into from JFK. Alghero (AHO) is 3 hours away and Cagliari (CAG) is 4 hours, so OLB is by far the best choice for northern Sardinia.
How do I get from Olbia airport to Palau?
Rental car is the easiest option — you'll want one anyway to explore the coast. Pick-up desks (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise) are right at the terminal. Taxi runs ~€90–110. There's also a summer bus (ARST) to Palau, about €5 with 1–2 daily departures.