United Adds New York–Olbia Flights to Sardinia in 2027

United Airlines will launch nonstop flights to Sardinia from Newark in summer 2027, giving American travelers a second direct route to the Italian island. The seasonal service will fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport three times a week beginning May 27, 2027. United will join Delta Air Lines, which already connects New York–JFK with Olbia and will return in 2027.

Together, the two airlines will operate seven weekly nonstop flights from the New York area to Sardinia—one departure every day of the week.

Tickets went on sale on August 25, 2026, the day United announced the route. The new service is subject to government approval.

United flights to Sardinia will land in Olbia

United flight UA298 is scheduled to leave Newark at 9:25 p.m. and arrive in Olbia at noon the following day. The overnight schedule allows travelers to depart the New York area in the evening and land directly in northeastern Sardinia without connecting through Rome, Milan or another European airport.

The return flight, UA299, is scheduled to leave Olbia at 2 p.m. and arrive in Newark at 6 p.m. local time.

United will operate the route with a Boeing 767-300ER. That choice matters: Olbia is not being added as a short European connection but as a full transatlantic destination served by a wide-body aircraft.

United announced Newark–Olbia as part of the largest international expansion in the airline’s history, which includes ten new international destinations for 2027.

Olbia is Sardinia’s only direct gateway from the United States

Sardinia has three main commercial airports: Olbia, Cagliari and Alghero. But Olbia is the only airport on the island with nonstop flights from the United States—and the only Sardinian airport with direct intercontinental service.

That distinction is essential for American travelers. A nonstop flight from the United States to Sardinia does not land in Cagliari in the south or Alghero in the northwest. It lands in Olbia, on the northeastern side of the island.

Olbia is the practical arrival gateway for Gallura, Costa Smeralda, Porto Cervo, San Teodoro, Tavolara, Palau and La Maddalena. Travelers planning their first trip can use our Sardinia Travel Guide for Americans to understand the island’s geography, choose a base and decide how much of Sardinia to include in one vacation.

United joins Delta on the New York–Sardinia market

Delta introduced the first nonstop New York–Olbia service in 2026, flying from JFK four times a week. Delta’s route is also available for summer 2027, when United will add three weekly flights from Newark.

The schedules fit together without overlapping departure days:

Day	Airline	Departure airport
Monday	Delta	New York–JFK
Tuesday	United	Newark
Wednesday	Delta	New York–JFK
Thursday	United	Newark
Friday	Delta	New York–JFK
Saturday	United	Newark
Sunday	Delta	New York–JFK

The result is straightforward: in summer 2027, travelers will have a nonstop flight from the New York area to Sardinia every day of the week.

Our main guide to flights to Sardinia from New York will compare the Delta and United schedules, JFK and Newark departures, flight times and arrival options in Olbia.

Why the Newark–Olbia route matters

This is more than an additional seasonal flight.

In 2026, Delta established the first direct air link between New York and Sardinia. In 2027, United will add a second airline, a second New York-area airport and three more weekly frequencies. Olbia will move from four nonstop U.S. flights a week to seven.

Newark also gives United passengers access to the airline’s wider domestic network. For some travelers outside the New York area, that may make Sardinia easier to reach with a domestic connection followed by the nonstop transatlantic flight to Olbia.

The two routes also offer different arrival times. Delta’s published 2027 schedule reaches Olbia at 9 a.m., while United is scheduled to arrive at noon. Delta provides an earlier start in Sardinia; United’s later Newark departure may be more convenient for travelers connecting from another U.S. city.

What United fares currently show

United’s fares are dynamic and can change by date, cabin and availability. Searches made on August 25, 2026, showed one-way Economy fares starting at $1,249 on selected early-season departures.

On a June 1 departure, the displayed one-way fares started at:

• United Economy: $1,249
• United Premium Plus: $1,904
• United Polaris: $3,944

Different prices appeared for the inaugural flight and other May departures. These figures are snapshots from the first day of sale, not fixed promotional fares. Travelers should check current prices and fare conditions directly through United before booking.

What arriving in Olbia means for your trip

Landing in Olbia places travelers on the side of Sardinia most closely associated with Gallura and Costa Smeralda.

Costa Smeralda is north of Olbia and includes Porto Cervo, Cala di Volpe, Romazzino, Liscia di Vacca and some of the island’s best-known beaches and hotels. It is not the whole of northeastern Sardinia, but it is one of the main reasons Olbia is such a useful entry point for high-end leisure travel.

Our complete Costa Smeralda Guide explains the geography, beaches, hotels, transportation and seasonal rhythm of the area.

Olbia also works as the arrival airport for trips focused on San Teodoro and Tavolara to the south, or Palau and the La Maddalena Archipelago to the north. Travelers should choose where to stay before selecting onward transportation, because Sardinia is larger and more spread out than many first-time visitors expect.

Planning a 2027 Sardinia trip

Both United and Delta services are seasonal, so the travel calendar matters. May, June, July, August, September and October offer different combinations of weather, sea conditions, crowds, hotel availability and seasonal services.

Before choosing flight dates, compare those differences in our guide to the best time to visit Sardinia.

Travelers should also consider:

• whether JFK or Newark is more convenient;
• which airline fits their loyalty program or domestic itinerary;
• the difference between a morning and midday arrival in Olbia;
• where they plan to stay after landing;
• whether they need a rental car or private transfer;
• which seasonal businesses will be open during their travel dates.

The direct flight solves the transatlantic part of the journey. The next decisions—base, transportation and itinerary—still shape how well the trip works.

The bottom line

United flights to Sardinia will begin on May 27, 2027, connecting Newark with Olbia three times a week. United will join Delta’s four weekly flights from JFK, creating daily nonstop service from the New York area to Sardinia during the 2027 summer season.

For American travelers, the most important point is simple: all nonstop flights from the United States to Sardinia arrive in Olbia, the island’s only direct intercontinental gateway and the natural entry point for northeastern Sardinia and Costa Smeralda.

FAQ

Is United flying nonstop to Sardinia?

Yes. United will begin seasonal nonstop service from Newark to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport on May 27, 2027.

What days will United fly from Newark to Sardinia?

United is scheduled to depart Newark on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Return flights from Olbia are scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

How long is the United flight from Newark to Olbia?

The scheduled Newark–Olbia flight time is approximately 8 hours and 35 minutes.

Which Sardinia airport will United use?

United will fly to Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport in northeastern Sardinia.

Are there direct flights from the United States to Cagliari or Alghero?

No. Olbia is the only airport in Sardinia with nonstop flights from the United States. Cagliari and Alghero require a connection for travelers arriving from the U.S.

Will Delta also fly to Sardinia in 2027?

Yes. Delta’s JFK–Olbia service is available for summer 2027 with four weekly departures. Combined with United’s three flights from Newark, the New York area will have daily nonstop service to Olbia.