The beautiful and historic city of Porto is more accessible than ever.
In a major boost for trans-Atlantic travel, Delta Airlines has just announced that it will be launching a new, seasonal nonstop service between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Porto, Portugal, beginning in the spring of 2025. This will be one of the only nonstop flights connecting the United States to Portugal’s beautiful and historic second city, a destination that has seen a massive surge in popularity in recent years.
This new route is a huge win for American travelers, making it much easier and more convenient to explore this incredible part of Europe.
1. It cements Porto’s status as a “must-visit” destination.
For years, Porto was seen as a secondary destination, a place you might visit for a day or two after spending a week in Lisbon. This new, nonstop flight from a major U.S. legacy carrier is a powerful vote of confidence in the city’s appeal and is a clear sign that Porto has arrived as a must-visit, standalone destination in its own right, Delta News Hub shared.
It acknowledges the city’s growing reputation for its beautiful, UNESCO-listed historic center, its world-class food scene, and its unique, gritty, and soulful charm, a reputation that is now well-deserved.
2. It’s a new, convenient gateway to Northern Portugal.
Previously, any American who wanted to explore the beautiful and historic region of Northern Portugal would have to fly into Lisbon and then take a long, three-hour train ride or a connecting flight to get to Porto. This new, nonstop flight completely changes the game, allowing travelers to fly directly into the heart of the region, as reported by USA Today.
This makes it much easier to plan a trip that is focused on exploring not just the city of Porto, but also the beautiful, terraced vineyards of the Douro Valley and the historic towns of Braga and Guimarães.
3. The new route will increase competition and lower fares.
While there are a few other airlines that fly nonstop to Portugal from the East Coast, the addition of a major player like Delta to the New York to Porto route is fantastic news for consumers. This new competition will almost certainly lead to more competitive pricing across all the airlines that fly to Portugal, not just to Porto.
It gives travelers more options and more flexibility, and it will likely result in lower fares for everyone. It’s a perfect example of how more competition in the airline industry directly benefits the passenger, according to Simple Flying.
4. It’s the perfect entry point to the Douro Valley wine region.
The city of Porto is the historic and commercial heart of the world-famous Port wine trade, and it is the primary gateway to the stunning Douro Valley, the oldest demarcated wine region in the world. This beautiful region, with its incredibly steep, terraced vineyards that plunge down to the Douro River, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a paradise for wine lovers.
This new, nonstop flight makes it easier than ever to plan a trip that is focused on exploring this beautiful wine region, from taking a traditional “rabelo” boat cruise on the river to staying at a “quinta,” or wine estate.
5. It reflects the growing trend of “second city” travel.
The launch of this new route is a direct reflection of a major and growing trend in travel. More and more American travelers are seeking out “second city” destinations in Europe, looking to escape the overwhelming crowds and the high prices of the major capital cities. They are discovering that these smaller cities often offer a more authentic, relaxed, and affordable travel experience.
Airlines are responding to this new demand by adding more point-to-point routes that bypass the traditional mega-hubs. This flight is a perfect example of this new, smarter way of traveling.