New York to Sardinia and Sicily Nonstop from May 2027

From 27 May 2027, United flies nonstop from Newark to Olbia in Sardinia three times a week, and from 28 May to Catania in Sicily four times a week. Italy’s two island charter grounds get their first direct link from the United States, and a week on a yacht there just became easier than ever. Planning a crewed yacht charter in Italy? Start with our Italy yacht charter guide.

What does this mean for your charter?

No more Rome. Until now a Sardinia charter from the US meant a connection in Rome, Milan or a European hub, and a morning lost on the way to the boat. From next May you land in Olbia in the morning and board in Olbia or Porto Cervo the same afternoon. Catania does the same for Sicily: the Aeolian Islands and Taormina are a short transfer from the airport, and a Sicily week can start the day you land.

Yachts anchored in turquoise water around Budelli island in the La Maddalena archipelago, Sardinia, seen from above — Where the new flights land you: the La Maddalena archipelago, Porto Cervo marina and Porto Rotondo bay in Sardinia; Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands and the Taormina coast in Sicily.

The marina at Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, full of yachts, seen from above — Where the new flights land you: the La Maddalena archipelago, Porto Cervo marina and Porto Rotondo bay in Sardinia; Vulcano in the Aeolian Islands and the Taormina coast in Sicily.

The flights

Newark (EWR) to Olbia (OLB): from 27 May 2027, three times a week.
Newark (EWR) to Catania (CTA): from 28 May 2027, four times a week.
Both on a Boeing 767-300ER, filed by United on 25 August 2026 and on sale now.
Summer seasonal routes; schedules can change before launch, so we re-check them before a client books around them.

Why Sardinia and Sicily?

Because this is where the Mediterranean is hottest right now. Sardinia’s Costa Smeralda and the La Maddalena archipelago have the clearest water in Italy, and Porto Cervo is where the big yachts gather in July and August. Sicily is the quieter answer: the Aeolian Islands, Taormina, and a coast that most charter guests have not seen yet. Italy had the stronger season in the Med this year, and these two islands are where that demand goes.

Our take

Fly Friday night, board Saturday. The new routes make a Saturday start in Olbia or Catania realistic from the East Coast for the first time. And you are early: as of 13 October, 24 of the 302 yachts we track for Italy already show a booking for July or August 2027, so the calendars for a first-summer-of-the-flight charter are still mostly open.