The Neos Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner touches down on the Palese runway at 8 AM on June 4th, 2025, carrying 230 passengers and the weight of twenty years of anticipation. It's the first time in history that a direct flight connects Puglia to the United States of America, transforming what seemed like an impossible dream into a tangible reality that forever changes the face of Karol Wojtyla Airport.
The rumble of engines winding down on the Bari tarmac marks the opening of an air corridor that goes far beyond simple tourism. This strategic connection represents recognition of the beauty, vitality, and international credibility that Puglia has built over time, allowing the region to emerge as a major player on the global aviation stage.
The route, operating weekly until October 15th, 2025, connects New York's JFK Airport with Bari through flights departing Tuesday evenings from the Big Apple to land Wednesday mornings in Puglia. The modern Dreamliner, configured with 355 seats distributed between Premium and Economy class, represents the ambition to transport approximately 12,700 travelers in the first year of operation.
For Puglia, this route isn't just about numbers or international prestige—it's an opportunity to tap into that incredibly rich heritage tourism market involving over eighteen million Americans who proudly claim their Italian origins.
The landing of this first flight isn't an arrival, but a departure toward a future where the distance between Bari and New York is measured not just in miles, but in concrete opportunities for development and exchange between two worlds that are now finally within flight's reach.
