New York to Sardinia: 10,340 Americans Flew Nonstop

More than 10,000 U.S. citizens traveled nonstop from New York to Sardinia between May and August 2026, according to official U.S. government passenger data independently analyzed by The Sardinia Guide.

During the first four months of Delta’s New York–JFK to Olbia service, 11,510 passengers traveled from New York to Sardinia. Of those, 10,340 were U.S. citizens.

Americans therefore represented 89.8% of all passengers traveling nonstop from JFK to Olbia during the period.

The figures come from the U.S. International Air Travel Statistics (I-92/APIS). For this analysis, The Sardinia Guide selected commercial passenger traffic between New York–JFK (JFK) and Olbia (OLB) and excluded general aviation.

Delta operated the only nonstop commercial passenger service between New York–JFK and Olbia during the period analyzed.

No passenger figures used in this analysis were provided by Delta Air Lines, Olbia Airport or New York–JFK.

New York to Sardinia: 11,510 Passengers

Delta launched its seasonal New York–Olbia service in May 2026.

From May through August, the passenger figures from JFK to Olbia were:

Month	JFK → Olbia passengers	U.S. citizens	U.S. share
May*	1,128	1,051	93.2%
June	3,512	3,139	89.4%
July	3,197	2,901	90.7%
August	3,673	3,249	88.5%
Total	11,510	10,340	89.8%

*May was a partial operating month.

August became the busiest month so far, with 3,673 passengers traveling from New York to Olbia.

For schedules, operating dates and route details, see our complete guide to Delta’s nonstop flights to Sardinia.

10,340 U.S. Citizens Traveled From JFK to Olbia

The citizenship figures provide one of the clearest measures of the American presence on the new route.

Between May and August, 10,340 U.S. citizens traveled directly from New York–JFK to Olbia, out of 11,510 total passengers.

That represents 89.8% of passenger traffic from New York to Sardinia.

In other words, almost nine out of every ten passengers traveling nonstop from New York to Olbia during the first four months of the service were U.S. citizens.

I-92/APIS identifies passenger citizenship but does not establish the purpose of travel. The Sardinia Guide therefore does not assume that every U.S. citizen recorded in the data was traveling as a tourist.

For the broader picture of reaching the island from the United States, see our main Flights to Sardinia guide.

August Became the Busiest Month

The monthly passenger totals show how the New York–Olbia market developed during the first part of Delta’s inaugural season:

August — 3,673 passengers
June — 3,512
July — 3,197
May — 1,128

May was a partial operating month.

The U.S. share remained high throughout the period, ranging from 88.5% to 93.2% of passengers traveling from JFK to Olbia.

August also recorded the largest number of U.S. citizens in a single month so far: 3,249.

For our earlier analysis of passenger data on the route, read The Sardinia Guide’s JFK-to-Sardinia passenger report.

22,227 Passenger Movements Between New York and Olbia

Looking at both directions provides a broader view of activity on the route.

Between May and August:

11,510 passengers traveled from New York to Olbia;
10,717 passengers traveled from Olbia to New York;
the route recorded 22,227 passenger movements overall.

Passenger movements do not equal unique travelers. Someone who flies from New York to Sardinia and later returns to New York may be counted once in each direction.

What the Data Say About American Travel to Sardinia

The scale of the U.S. component is particularly notable.

More than 10,000 U.S. citizens traveled nonstop from New York to Sardinia in just the first four months of the service.

The American share remained close to nine out of ten passengers every month.

These figures do not measure tourism sentiment or the purpose of individual trips. They do, however, provide a clear quantitative measure of the number of U.S. citizens using the new nonstop connection between New York and Sardinia.

The data provide a measurable picture of how strongly the new nonstop connection is being used by U.S. citizens.

Delta Continues Into October 2026

The 2026 New York–Sardinia season does not end in August.

Delta’s nonstop New York–Olbia service continues through September and into October 2026, with the 2026 transatlantic schedule running through October 24.

That extends nonstop access to Sardinia beyond the peak summer period and gives American travelers another option for reaching the island later in the season.

Travelers planning a September or October trip can find operating dates and route information in our Delta Sardinia nonstop flight guide.

Delta Returns and United Joins in 2027

The New York–Sardinia market is scheduled to expand again in 2027.

Delta is scheduled to return with its JFK–Olbia service in May 2027, while United Airlines will launch a new seasonal Newark–Olbia service on May 27, 2027, operating three times a week.

Travelers in the New York metropolitan area will therefore have two nonstop gateways to Olbia: JFK with Delta and Newark with United.

Read our full report on United’s New York–Olbia flight to Sardinia.

Planning Your Own Sardinia Trip?

If you are traveling from the U.S. and would like help creating a personalized Sardinia itinerary, contact The Sardinia Guide at hello@thesardiniaguide.com or send us a DM on Instagram at @thesardiniaguide.

Tell us your travel dates, interests and the kind of trip you would like to build.

The Bottom Line

Between May and August 2026, 11,510 passengers traveled nonstop from New York to Sardinia.

Of those, 10,340 were U.S. citizens, representing 89.8% of passenger traffic from JFK to Olbia.

Across both directions, New York and Olbia recorded 22,227 passenger movements during the period.

The figures come from official U.S. International Air Travel Statistics (I-92/APIS) and were independently analyzed by The Sardinia Guide.

Delta’s nonstop service continues through September and into October 2026 and is scheduled to return in May 2027, when United will also add nonstop service between Newark and Olbia.

FAQ

How many passengers traveled from New York to Sardinia from May through August 2026?

11,510 passengers traveled nonstop from New York–JFK to Olbia.

How many were U.S. citizens?

10,340 were U.S. citizens, representing 89.8% of passengers traveling from New York to Olbia.

Which month had the most passengers?

August, with 3,673 passengers traveling from JFK to Olbia.

Where do the passenger figures come from?

They come from official U.S. government I-92/APIS international air travel statistics, independently analyzed by The Sardinia Guide.

Did Delta provide these passenger numbers?

No. No passenger figures used in the analysis were provided by Delta Air Lines, Olbia Airport or New York–JFK.

Does Delta continue flying to Sardinia after August?

Yes. Delta’s New York–Olbia service continues through September and into October 2026, with the 2026 schedule running through October 24.

What changes in 2027?

Delta is scheduled to return in May 2027, while United will launch a seasonal Newark–Olbia service on May 27, 2027, operating three times a week.

Data & Methodology

The Sardinia Guide independently analyzed official U.S. International Air Travel Statistics (I-92/APIS) for May through August 2026. The I-92 program is jointly operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office and is based on APIS flight-manifest data submitted by carriers serving the United States. For this analysis, The Sardinia Guide selected nonstop commercial passenger traffic between New York–JFK (JFK) and Olbia (OLB) and excluded general aviation. I-92 reports nonstop point-to-point segment traffic and distinguishes U.S. citizens from non-U.S. citizens. According to NTTO, I-92 passenger totals may include crew and non-revenue passengers and should not be interpreted as a direct measure of destination visitation. No passenger figures used in this analysis were provided by Delta Air Lines, Olbia Airport or New York–JFK. Data accessed September 16, 2026.