United Airlines to launch direct New York-Sardinia route

United Airlines has announced three new direct routes between the United States and Italy for 2027, including two new services from the New York area to Sardinia and Sicily, according to The Local Italy. The American carrier will also add a new connection from Washington DC to Milan and revive a seasonal route to Puglia.

The announcement marks a significant moment for Sardinia, which has long relied on European charter flights and seasonal connections rather than year-round transatlantic service. A direct link from the New York area would place the island's beaches and interior within a single flight of one of the world's largest outbound tourism markets.

For a region that has watched its interior depopulate while its coastline attracts European visitors, the prospect of American tourists arriving directly changes the calculus of tourism planning. The route could extend the season beyond the traditional July and August peak, spreading economic benefit to months when the island's hotels and restaurants currently close.