US tourists arrive in Malta on first ‘game-changer’ direct flight

Americans arriving in Malta on the first direct flight from New York have spoken of their excitement at visiting the country, with most saying they had discovered the country while planning a getaway to Sicily or were inspired by Malta’s history.

The “very well-booked" Delta Airlines flight from John F Kennedy International Airport arrived in Malta shortly before its scheduled arrival time of 8.20am, packed with US tourists keen to explore Malta.

The Malta International Airport said 200 people were on the inaugural flight.

Julie Lee, on holiday with her husband Nathan and daughter Olivia, said they had been attracted to the country by its “history, food and the people” and to “explore something new”.

She came across the country when researching Sicily, and after realising its proximity to the Italian island, decided to explore Malta too.

Lee said that while the direct flight would have made a significant difference had they lived in New York, travelling from their native Detroit meant they were facing a layover either way.

“But the ease and convenience of transiting directly from the US to here is huge,” she said. “We’re only here a few short days, then on to Sicily. But we’ll be back”.

She explained that passengers boarding the flight in New York had been welcomed onboard by a ribbon-cutting ceremony at JFK and handed bags containing “Malta swag” including a bottle of Maltese wine, a can of Kinnie and a bag of Twistees.

Mary Kate Boylan arrived for a nine-day break in Malta, keen to make the most of her flight privileges before her husband, a pilot with Delta, retires from the airline.

“I was looking for places to go that I might not go to if he retires, and Malta popped up; it was a random chance ... I’m glad I took the flight; there was a lot of excitement,” she said.

Passengers were treated to Maltese treats and a ribbon-cutting ceremony at JFK airport. Photos: Chris Sant Fournier.

While Boylan “knew a little bit” about Malta before booking her trip – particularly the country’s wartime history – she was not very familiar with the country before securing her flight, but started reading up before travelling. 

And despite her husband flying for a living, he had not accompanied her on the trip. “He’s not a big traveller,” she laughed, adding that her children were “excited” about her trip. “They like to live vicariously through me”.

One passenger with Maltese heritage said it was his first time travelling to Malta in 50 years: “Everything’s built up, modernised".

Praising the direct flight option, he said he would have otherwise needed to change in Amsterdam. 

‘We booked the same day’

Susan Johnson-Fox, travelling to Malta with her family for the first time, praised the “wonderful flight and great crew” and said they had been inspired to visit the country by her husband, “a history buff”. They are staying in Malta for three days before taking the ferry to Sicily.

Lorig Armenian and her family were returning to Malta after visiting the country for a day two years ago while on a Mediterranean cruise.

“We’d been looking for direct flights, and there weren’t any, so as soon as Delta announced it, we booked it that day”.

She said they were mainly in Malta for the history, with her husband, Aram Sarafian, saying the family had only visited Valletta during their last visit, “and there wasn’t even enough time to see that, let alone the rest of the islands”.

The Delta Airlines flight touched down in Malta shortly before the scheduled arrival time of 8.20am. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.

Another return visitor was Jeff Soper, who first visited Malta 30 years ago for a conference. This time, he has brought his wife and they plan to meet up with British friends who visit regularly. 

“When I was here the first time, I was only in Malta – it was beautiful, a lot of history,” he said, adding they were planning on spending time in Gozo on this visit.

For Soper, who lives in Florida, the direct flight means “two flights rather than three”.

‘Game changer’

Meanwhile, Jenn Morris, visiting Malta with her boyfriend Doug Butman and her parents Anne and Dave, has a professional connection to the country.

“I wanted to plan a birthday trip, and the company I work for has offices in Malta. I’ve spoken to some people who have gone [to Malta], and they highly recommend it,” said Morris.

Her father, Dave, said he had “heard nothing but good things – the climate, the food, the history – so, we’re ready”. 

Butman called the opening of direct flights to Malta a “game changer; I’m not a fan of connections”, while Dave Morris – who lives in Florida with his wife – said it meant having more time in the country: “You get almost an extra full day here”.

One couple, Kevin and Emanuelle, were visiting Malta for the first time and had been inspired to visit the country by the country’s history – and its being featured in movies.

They plan "a lot of tours, walking and eating” for their three-day visit before they continue their holiday in Sicily.

Reflecting on the trip, first officer Michael Burns said the flight was “really exciting” and – as is most likely the aim for pilots – “completely uneventful”. It was Burns’ first flight to Malta, but as expected, “not my last”.

The new service was first announced last September and will operate three days per week, arriving and departing from Malta on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, per week till October.

Monday's arrival was the first in decades; the last regular direct flights between Malta and the USA were in the 1990s, following a partnership between Air Malta and Balkan Airlines, which saw flights from Sofia to New York stop in Malta. 

In 2021, Lufthansa operated 12 direct charter flights between Newark (USA) and Malta to ferry cruise passengers. 

'One of the most valuable markets'

The Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association welcomed the first direct flight, describing North America as "one of the world’s most valuable tourism source markets".

It noted that direct connectivity would help attract business travel and increase Malta's competitiveness as a destination. 

MHRA president Tony Zahra said the direct connection was "excellent news" for Malta. He congratulated those involved in setting up the service.

Meanwhile, MIA said Malta’s growing appeal among American travellers reached a new milestone with the first direct flight operated by a US carrier.

Malta International Airport CEO Alan Borg said North American visitors were Malta's highest-spending tourists last year. The number of arrivals from the US had increased by 47 per cent over 2023, he said.

"These statistics show that Delta Air Lines is not taking a leap into the unknown but responding to a growing demand for travel to Malta among Americans," he said.

"It is now crucial that stakeholders across the entire tourism value chain recognise and embrace their responsibility in ensuring that the Malta-New York service is successful.”