Neos to Launch First Direct Flights Between the US and Puglia
For the first time, travelers from the United States will have a direct air link to Italy’s Puglia region. Italian airline Neos has announced the launch of nonstop flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport and Bari International Airport. The seasonal service will run from June 3 to October 15, 2025, using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. This marks a significant expansion of transatlantic routes, making it easier to reach one of Italy’s lesser-explored destinations.
The flights will operate weekly, departing New York every Tuesday at 16:00 and arriving in Bari at 08:00 the following day. Return flights will leave Bari on Wednesdays at 11:30, reaching JFK at 13:50. Until now, travelers heading to Puglia had to transit through major hubs like Rome or Milan. This new connection offers a more efficient journey, reducing overall travel time and eliminating layovers.
With this route, Puglia becomes more accessible to international visitors, opening doors to its unique cultural heritage and stunning landscapes. Travelers can now reach destinations such as Alberobello, famous for its trulli houses, or Lecce, a city renowned for its Baroque architecture. The region also boasts scenic coastal towns like Polignano a Mare and Monopoli, where dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters create an unforgettable Mediterranean setting.
Puglia’s appeal extends beyond architecture and scenery, offering some of Italy’s most authentic culinary experiences. Visitors can explore its vineyards, sample locally produced olive oil, and enjoy traditional dishes like orecchiette pasta. Direct flights allow foodies to more easily get their hands on some of the region’s homegrown flavours, whilst beach-seekers can enjoy the Adriatic sea with just one stop over.
This new flight route is changing the travel pattern, opening southern Italy to tourists from US. Rome or Florence might usually be the prime travel markets for your US customer base, but Puglia is now connected directly. This move is expected to fuel tourism, providing tourists an easier way to check out a genuine and not-so-commercialized corner of Italy economically benefiting the locals.