ATLANTA — Travelers who regularly pass through Atlanta and other Delta Air Lines hubs have been handed an unusually direct role in shaping the carrier’s 2025 map: for three days only, they can vote inside the Delta mobile app to decide whether Malta, Ibiza, or Sardinia becomes the next seasonal trans-Atlantic route.
How Delta’s ‘Route Race’ Works
Delta calls the promotion “Route Race,” its first crowd-sourced route decision. The ballot is limited to two groups that form the backbone of the airline’s customer base and workforce—registered SkyMiles members and current Delta employees. Voting opened Monday, August 25, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern and will close Friday, August 29, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. That leaves exactly 3 full days (plus the ends of two partial days) to make a pick. To cast a vote, members must update or download the Delta app, open the Explore or Trip tabs, and select one of the three Mediterranean contenders. Delta says each account can vote once, and votes cannot be changed after submission. When polls close, the airline will tally the results and announce the winner “shortly thereafter,” with tickets expected to go on sale later this year for flights beginning in summer 2025. “SkyMiles Members and Delta people are at the center of everything Delta does,” Senior Vice President of Network Planning Paul Baldoni said in a prepared statement, describing the promotion as a chance for the carrier’s “community to help shape Delta’s global network.”
Why Delta Is Letting Customers Choose
Delta already serves more than 300 destinations worldwide, but adding a leisure-focused Mediterranean island route is hardly risk-free. Summer slots at major U.S. gateways are scarce, long-haul aircraft are heavily committed, and competition from low-cost European carriers continues to intensify. By polling its most loyal customers first, Delta gains real-time insight into which destination may have the strongest built-in demand, helping it allocate aircraft more confidently and market the inaugural flight as “chosen by you.” For travelers, the promotion offers bragging rights and the possibility—though not a guarantee—of introductory fare sales when the winner is announced. In recent years, Delta has aggressively launched or restored several high-profile seasonal routes, including nonstop flights to Dubrovnik, Nice, and Kefalù; many of those debuts were paired with limited-time discounts for SkyMiles members. If the pattern holds, the Route Race launch could become an appealing moment to burn miles or book revenue tickets.
Meet the Three Contenders
Malta
The tiny island nation of Malta packs UNESCO-listed fortress cities, honey-colored beaches, and a culinary scene that marries North African spice with Southern European technique. English is an official language, and the destination’s euro currency eliminates exchange-rate math for U.S. travelers carrying multi-currency cards. Malta International Airport (MLA) already welcomes nonstop flights from several European capitals, offering Delta a range of onward connections through its SkyTeam partners.
Ibiza
Known worldwide for its megaclubs and all-night parties, Ibiza also shelters quieter corners such as Sant Joan’s pine-scented cliffs and calm northern coves. The island’s only commercial field, Ibiza Airport (IBZ), is a 15-minute drive from the old town, making weekend hops feasible. A nonstop from the United States would vault IBZ to bucket-list status for clubbers who want to avoid the Madrid or Barcelona connection traditionally required.
Sardinia
Italy’s second-largest island mixes mountain-backed beaches with ancient Nuragic ruins. The Costa Smeralda’s luxury resorts draw yacht-owners and fashion crowds, yet the island remains underserved by long-haul flights. One question mark: which airport would Delta choose? Sardinia hosts three—Cagliari (CAG) in the south, Olbia (OLB) in the northeast and Alghero (AHO) in the northwest—each with different runway lengths and tourism profiles. Delta has not said which field is under consideration, leaving aviation sleuths to speculate.
Timeline After the Vote
Delta has provided only a rough schedule for what happens after polls close on August 29:
- Early September: winning destination announced.
- Fourth quarter: schedule filing in global distribution systems and website launch.
- Early 2025: first seats expected to be available using SkyMiles certificates and partner award charts.
- Summer 2025: inaugural flight departs a still-undisclosed U.S. gateway.
Exact frequencies, aircraft type, and operating days remain “[Not specified in release],” but recent leisure launches have started at 3 weekly frequencies on Boeing 767-300ER or Airbus A330-200 jets before scaling up.
Tips for Travelers Eyeing the First Flight
- Enable push notifications in the Delta app. The airline habitually alerts users to pop-up fare sales tied to route launches.
- Check SkyMiles partner charts—Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club sometimes release seats on Delta metal before Delta.com does.
- If you hold a Delta-branded American Express card, monitor Pay With Miles promotions; past launches have included 15 percent mileage rebates for cardholders.
- Book cancellable lodging. Should the chosen route face permitting delays, having a refundable hotel rate will protect your itinerary.
- Review entry requirements. Malta and Ibiza (Spain) are within the Schengen Zone, whereas Sardinia—though Italian—also follows Schengen rules; U.S. citizens can stay up to 90 days within a 180-day window.
What Happens to the Two Losing Destinations?
Delta has not ruled out adding runners-up in future seasons. In its prepared remarks, the company described the three nominees as “gateways to culture, connection and possibility.” Observers note that past customer feedback programs—such as Delta’s fan-voted college football charters—have sometimes inspired permanent routes beyond the initial winner. Travelers who genuinely want a non-stop flight to all three islands may ultimately get their wish, but patience is advised.
If you have a favorite between Malta’s fortified harbors, Ibiza’s sunrise parties, or Sardinia’s postcard coves, open the Delta app before the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. on August 29. A few taps could determine where Delta’s next wide-body jet touches down—and what bucket-list stamp lands in your passport next summer.
