SkyTeam partner Delta Air Lines has announced two new routes for travel to Europe next summer, with Boston to be connected with Venice, and Detroit passengers being able to fly to Athens nonstop. These new routes complement the additional new service that will provide nonstop flights from Austin to Paris, in what some aviation enthusiasts are calling Delta's newest hub.
Delta will commence new services to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) on May 7, while flights from Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos (ATH) will take flight on June 8. This will mark the first time that a carrier has provided nonstop flights from The Motor City to Greece.
From May 7, Delta will provide up to four weekly flights from Boston to Venice. These are a summer seasonal service and are currently scheduled to operate through October 29. Italy continues to grow as a popular destination for American travelers, and the latest addition of Venice will provide another opportunity for travelers to immerse themselves in the rich Italian culture.
This will become Delta's 13th long-haul destination from Boston, and complements the airline's existing year-round service to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and seasonal service to Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP). During the peak summer season, Delta will offer 12 nonstop services to continental Europe.
Services to Venice will be operated by the airline's Airbus A330-300, which is fitted with a total of four cabins, including Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Main. The only other airline to offer nonstop flights to Italy from Boston is Italian flag carrier ITA Airways, with year-round flights to Rome. Sharon Williams, Massport’s Executive Director of Aviation, shared the following statement following the news of the new service:
“Italy continues to be an incredibly popular destination for New England travelers, and we are excited to add Venice to our growing list of international destinations. This new service provides our passengers with another opportunity to experience Italy’s incredible culture, history and tourism while strengthening the ties between our two regions. We’re grateful to Delta for continuing to invest in Boston and expand choices for our passengers.”
“Italy continues to be an incredibly popular destination for New England travelers, and we are excited to add Venice to our growing list of international destinations. This new service provides our passengers with another opportunity to experience Italy’s incredible culture, history and tourism while strengthening the ties between our two regions. We’re grateful to Delta for continuing to invest in Boston and expand choices for our passengers.”
From June 8, Detroit will be connected to Athens for the first time. The three-weekly service will operate seasonally through October 28, giving Americans plenty of time across the summer to plan and enjoy their Greek odyssey. From June, the airline will add Athens as its 12th long-haul destination from Detroit, growing the airline's European network to seven. Wayne County Airport Authority CEO Chad Newton explains:
“For the first time at DTW, travelers in Southeast Michigan will have nonstop access to Athens, one of the world’s most iconic destinations. We appreciate Delta Air Lines’ continued investment in Detroit and are excited about the new opportunities this service will create for tourism, business and cultural connections.”
“For the first time at DTW, travelers in Southeast Michigan will have nonstop access to Athens, one of the world’s most iconic destinations. We appreciate Delta Air Lines’ continued investment in Detroit and are excited about the new opportunities this service will create for tourism, business and cultural connections.”
The Detroit link will become Delta's fourth Athens gateway, adding to existing summer seasonal services from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Boston and New York JFK Airport (JFK). Delta will be expecting not only the route to be popular point-to-point, but also to leverage its robust domestic network from the airport, with up to 40 destinations across the airline's route map.
Delta's new Greek connection will operate on the airline's Airbus A330-200, which has four cabins, including Delta One, Delta Premium Select, Delta Comfort+ and Delta Main.
Delta will be the only North American airline offering non-stop flights between the continent and the European country of Malta.
Delta's new service from Boston to Venice and Detroit to Athens comes as the carrier begins to wind down its Summer 2026 schedule and start planning for 2027. Summer is a popular time to travel between North America and Europe, with all major carriers adding extra frequencies and seasonal links during the warmer months. A summary of the new flights is below:
As already mentioned, these two new European links will come online during the same summer that Delta adds its new Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) route. This marks Austin's first-ever nonstop service to Paris and, through the airline's extensive partnership with Air France, will feed into the European carrier's network of more than 70 destinations across Europe, India, and Africa.
