Delta Airlines has announced that the quarantine free flights which it has been running between the United States and Italy since December 2020 will open for leisure travellers on 16th May 2021. Alongside this, Delta is increasing its services to Italy. Read on to find out more.
Italy now open COVID tested travellers
Starting tomorrow (16th May 2021), passengers can take one of Delta Air Lines’ COVID-tested flights between the US and Italy for nonessential leisure tourism purposes. Italian government has lifted entry restrictions enabling American leisure travelers to visit the country for the first time in more than a year.
Alain Bellemare, E.V.P and President – International, Delta airlines, said the following on the recent development:
Delta was the first U.S. airline to launch quarantine-free service to Italy, and our COVID-tested flights have proved a viable means to restart international travel safely. It is encouraging that the Italian government has taken this step forward to reopen the country to leisure travelers from the U.S. on our dedicated protocol flights and further supporting economic recovery from the global pandemic.
Delta currently operates a number of nonstop COVID-tested services to Italy, including:
- 5-times-a-week service between Atlanta and Rome
- Daily service between New York-JFK and Milan
- 3-times-a-week between New York-JFK and Rome
Italy Expansion
Alongside the reopening of leisure tourism, Delta is also expanding its network between the US and Italy. Starting 2nd July, the airline will fly between New York-JFK and Venice, as well as between Atlanta and Venice & between Boston and Rome starting 5th August, making Delta the largest carrier between the U.S. and Italy. All Delta flights to Italy are operated in conjunction with partner Alitalia.
Flight schedule of New York-Venice-New York route:
- New York-Venice
- Departure time: 20:01
- Arrival time: 10:35 (the next day)
- Flight time: 8 hours and 34 minutes
- Flight number: DL38
- Frequency: Daily
- Venice-New York
- Departure time: 13:15
- Arrival time: 16:46
- Flight time: 9 hours and 31 minutes
- Flight number: DL39
- Frequency: Daily
Flight schedule of Atlanta-Venice-Atlanta route:
- Atlanta-Venice
- Departure time: 17:50
- Arrival time: 09:20 (the next day)
- Flight time: 9 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number: DL192
- Frequency: 5-times-a-week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Venice-Atlanta
- Departure time: 11:20
- Arrival time: 16:10 (the next day)
- Flight time: 10 hours and 50 minutes
- Flight number: DL193
- Frequency: 5-times-a-week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Flight schedule of Boston-Rome-Boston route:
- Boston-Rome
- Departure time: 17:15
- Arrival time: 07:45 (the next day)
- Flight time: 8 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number: DL112
- Frequency: Daily
- Atlanta-Venice
- Departure time: 10:00
- Arrival time: 14:00
- Flight time: 10 hours
- Flight number: DL113
- Frequency: Daily
Existing service to Rome and Milan will continue to be operated by the 293-seat Airbus A330-300 featuring 34 in lie-flat business class, branded as Delta One, 40 in extra-legroom economy (branded as Comfort+) and 219 economy seats, branded as Main Cabin., while the additional routes will be operated by the 226-seat Boeing B767-300 featuring 26 seats in Delta One, 35 in Comfort+, and 165 in Main Cabin.
Requirements for Delta’s COVID-tested flights to Italy
To fly on Delta’s COVID-tested flights from the U.S. to Italy, all passengers will have to complete mandatory testing, both before departure and on arrival, regardless of their vaccination status. Negative test results will mean that passengers will not need to quarantine and can resume their travels within Italy, subject to local regulations.
Europe slowing reopening
The closure of borders were one of the primary reasons restricting movement between the US and Europe. Italy is the fourth European destination open to Americans, though only on those flying on a COVID-tested flight. Iceland, Greece, and Croatia are also reopening or have reopened for leisure travel. United has also announced routes to Reykjavik, Athens and Dubrovnik.
Recently, Delta announced a new route connecting Portland with Seoul and New York-JFK with Dubrovik in Croatia. Delta had also announced new routes in the United States some time ago. The airline has also announced a new route to Greece as the European country is now open.
Featured image by Skyscanner
What do you think of Delta’s quarantine-free flights to Italy? Let me know in the comments section below.
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