Delta Expands in Europe with First-Ever Nonstop Flights to Catania – Business Traveler USA

Delta is gearing up for another blockbuster summer in 2025, making it easier than ever for travelers to experience Europe’s most popular destinations. With new routes, expanded premium offerings, and innovative onboard perks, Delta claims it is about to launch its biggest transatlantic route network ever.

“With over 700 weekly flights to 33 European destinations and beyond, we’re expanding access to key cities like Barcelona and Dublin with new routes, while introducing our first-ever nonstop service to Catania, Sicily,” said Joe Esposito, Delta’s Senior Vice President of Network Planning.

Delta puts Italy in the Spotlight

Delta’s enhanced Summer 2025 schedule showcases Italy as one of the hottest summer destinations for the U.S. market in the last five years. As the largest U.S. airline in Italy, Delta is increasing its capacity by over 10 percent, making Italian getaways more accessible than ever before.

Beginning in May 2025, Delta will launch its first-ever nonstop service from New York (JFK) to Catania, Sicily, providing a direct gateway to the island’s rich heritage and landscapes.

Photo: Catania, Italy. Courtesy of Joshua Kettle / Unsplash

Catania is a popular stop for traditional cruise ships and a great destination for travelers looking to explore the unique attractions of southern Italy. Notably, this will be the first time an American carrier operates flights to Catania from the U.S. Currently, Italian carrier Neos connects JFK with Palermo, Sicily’s capital and most important city, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner twice weekly.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Aviation Director Charles R. Everett Jr. expressed his excitement: “We are thrilled to welcome Delta Air Lines’ new service to Catania, unlocking another exciting, in-demand destination while further cementing John F. Kennedy International Airport’s status as the premier international gateway in the United States.”

Naples, too, will receive expanded service. In addition to the airline’s current route from JFK, Delta will launch four-times-weekly flights from Atlanta (ATL) to Naples (NAP), offering more opportunities for visitors to discover the world-famous Amalfi Coast and historic Pompeii.

Photo: Amalfi Coast, Italy. Courtesy of Tom Podmore / Unsplash

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson praised the new route: “Italy is a top trading partner with significant investments in the Peach State. Building from our recent economic development mission to Italy, this new direct service between Atlanta and Naples is a welcome addition that will further strengthen Georgia’s longstanding bilateral partnerships.”

Rome (FCO) remains a staple destination in Delta’s European network, with a new route from its hub at Minneapolis-St. Paul. This addition brings the number of Delta gateways with nonstop service to Rome to five.

“We appreciate Delta’s continued commitment to MSP with the newest international nonstop route to Rome,” said Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO and Executive Director Brian Ryks. “Rome has been our top unserved European market, and this addition complements Delta’s robust existing service to Europe from MSP.”

Photo: Rome, Italy. Courtesy of Carlos Ibáñez / Unsplash

Delta’s extended summer network in Italy is quite impressive. For the upcoming year, the airline plans to fly to seven destinations, with Catania being a groundbreaking addition and the first-ever link from the U.S. by any airline. The flight will be operated by Delta’s Boeing 767-300ERs.

Up next: Barcelona, Dublin, Brussels

Italy isn’t the only star of Delta’s summer expansion. New routes are being added across Europe, including three-times-weekly service from Boston (BOS) to Barcelona (BCN), beginning in May 2025.

This route will bring Boston residents closer to the city’s stunning architecture, vibrant arts scene, and coastal beauty. “Delta has been an excellent partner to Logan for many years, and we are thrilled about their new routes to Milan and Barcelona as part of their trans-Atlantic expansion in summer 2025,” said Ed Freni, Massport’s Director of Aviation.

Photo: Barcelona. Courtesy of Logan Armstrong / Unsplash

In addition, Delta is launching a four-times-weekly service from Detroit (DTW) to Dublin (DUB), connecting Michigan’s strong Irish heritage with the vibrant culture of Ireland’s capital.

“More than one million people with Irish heritage call Michigan home, and we expect this first-ever Detroit-to-Dublin route to be in high demand,” said Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton.

Other notable new routes include nonstop service from Atlanta (ATL) to Brussels (BRU), a three-times-weekly connection that opens up access to the heart of Belgium, and additional flights from Atlanta to Athens, Barcelona, and Rome.

Taking Europe by Storm

In addition to the new routes, Delta is expanding its routes and boosting the number of flights for popular services in response to high demand from North American travelers. This expansion involves adding more daily flights and increasing the frequency of flights per week for key routes, including Atlanta (ATL) to Zurich (ZRH), Athens (ATH), Barcelona (BCN), and Rome (FCO).

On the other tip of the scale, Delta is reducing its routes to Germany. According to Ishrion Aviation, a website specializing in airline routes, Delta will end its JFK-Munich route after October 26 and will not resume it next summer. The route to Munich began in April for this year’s European summer schedule.

Photo: Courtesy of Delta Air Lines

Delta’s seasonal service between Atlanta and Stuttgart will also be discontinued.

Overall, Delta’s Summer 2025 schedule represents a significant leap in transatlantic travel, combining a vast array of destinations with premium onboard and pre-flight experiences.