Flight Connection from DC through Amsterdam to Rome

Travel to Europe is an ever-changing thing. As your trip gets closer, do your research at that time. The airline that booked your trip should have the most up to date information for your destination.

About a month ago someone on the forum posted a link to an article about connecting through European airports: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-transiting-through-european-airports-during-the-pandemic/ar-BB1fRyqa?ocid=msedgntp

There's a new date (May 11) on the article now, so it appears to have been updated. I have no idea whether the information is current as of today, much less what the rules will be at the time of your flight. However, it appears you have some urgent checking to do, because at the time of writing, Schipol was reportedly not allowing folks to transit to other Schengen Zone or EU countries who were not allowed to enter the Netherlands. Americans are not currently permitted to enter the Netherlands without an urgent reason to do so.

With the obvious caveat that things may change unpredictably, currently, my reading is that on such an itinerary you would be subject to Dutch entry policy at Schiphol (i.e. you likely would not be allowed in):

From the Dutch government:

Can I travel via Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to another country?

If you stay in the airport’s transit zone and leave again within 48 hours to
a destination outside the Netherlands, you can travel via Schiphol.
You must be able to prove that you have a connecting flight within 48
hours. You will also need valid travel documents.

If you travel via Schiphol, but you leave the airport and travel on to
another Schengen country within 5 days, the Dutch conditions for entry
into the Netherlands apply. [my emphasis]

From Schiphol Airport:

Can I transfer at Schiphol?

[...]

If you are transferring on a connecting flight to a non-Schengen or
non-EU destination, and you stay in the transfer area at Schiphol and
depart within 48 hours, make sure you have a valid flight ticket and
valid travel documents. You must be able to prove that you are in
transit. If you change to a connecting flight to a Schengen country or
destination within the EU, you will be subject to Dutch entry policy. [my emphasis]

Good luck. The EU might open this summer but your flight is only a month away. We are going to Greece from the Washington DC area on June 11. Decided it’s worth the hassle to take Amtrak to Newark so we can fly nonstop to Athens. If you can rebook your flight to a connection in the USA then direct to Italy it might be worth it.

I personally have witnessed someone rerouted away from Amsterdam due to the particularly stringent requirements. We don't know what will be in a month. But with Covid-tested flights directly to Rome available on Delta, I'd change itineraries no matter what and go through Atlanta.

I’d suggest you call Delta, express your concern, and see what your options are. Delta may be able to change your flight now and route you through Atlanta or JFK on one of their covid-tested flights to Rome.

Thank you all so much for your insight!! I was able to change my flight to one of Delta's Covid-safe flights.

I appreciate all your helpful comments and suggestions!