Romania’s HiSky Adds Chicago, Eyes Bigger U.S. Footprint
ID 384383057 | Hisky © Fr3ank33 | Dreamstime.com
Snapshot
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HiSky has flown Bucharest–New York JFK since June 2024 (2–4x weekly, year-round most weeks).
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From June 2026, the carrier will launch Bucharest–Chicago O’Hare (ORD) 2x weekly.
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Long-haul is operated by a single Airbus A330-200 (24 angled-lie-flat in 2-2-2, 250 economy in 2-4-2).
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ORD fares currently start around €349.99 one-way in economy and €1,199.99 in business.
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JFK beyond spring 2026 is not yet loaded; ORD could supplement or replace New York.
The Existing U.S. Service: Bucharest–New York (JFK)
HiSky entered the U.S. market in June 2024 with OTP–JFK, typically running 2–4x weekly. The 4,755-mile sector is blocked at about 9h50 westbound and 8h50 eastbound. Operations have been year-round, though week-to-week frequencies have varied.
The New Route: Bucharest–Chicago (ORD)
Starting June 2026, HiSky plans twice-weekly OTP–ORD flights:
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H4103 OTP–ORD: depart 09:00, arrive 11:50 (block ~10h50)
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H4104 ORD–OTP: depart 13:20, arrive 07:10+1 (block ~9h50)
At 5,216 miles, Chicago adds a Midwestern gateway with strong VFR and leisure ties to Central/Eastern Europe and access to a large O&D market.
Fleet & Onboard Product
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Aircraft: Airbus A330-200 (reg. YR-KID), leased from Air Lease Corporation.
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Layout: 274 seats total
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Business: 24 angled-lie-flat seats, 2-2-2 across (legacy Sichuan Airlines hardware; aft mini-cabin removed)
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Economy: 250 seats, 2-4-2 across
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Connectivity/IFE: Not publicly standardized; expect a straightforward, value-focused long-haul fit.
Pricing & Fare Structure
For ORD, HiSky lists multiple branded fares in both cabins. Early lead-in pricing shows:
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Economy from ~€349.99 one-way
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Business from ~€1,199.99 one-way
Baggage, seat selection, and change rules vary by bundle.
Why Chicago Makes Sense
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Market size: Chicagoland’s sizable Eastern European diaspora and robust summer leisure demand fit HiSky’s “long and thin” profile.
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Airport dynamics: ORD offers ample connectivity and brand visibility for a 2x-weekly starter schedule.
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Utilization: A single A330 can support alternating U.S. turns without over-extending maintenance windows.
The JFK Question
HiSky’s booking engine currently shows JFK service through next spring; beyond that, availability is not loaded. With ORD only 2x weekly, the carrier has flexibility to keep both U.S. cities in peak season or pivot capacity fully to Chicago if economics favor consolidation.
Competitive Landscape
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Romania–U.S. is mostly a one-stop market via alliance hubs (e.g., FRA/MUC, AMS, CDG, LHR, IST, VIE, WAW).
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Nonstop Bucharest–U.S. service remains limited, giving HiSky a clear nonstop value proposition on days it operates.
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Product tradeoff: HiSky’s angled-lie-flat business is less premium than top U.S./EU carriers but can undercut fares significantly, appealing to price-sensitive premium and VFR travelers.
Risks To Watch
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Single long-haul airframe: Any AOG event disrupts the entire transatlantic schedule.
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Seasonality: Strong summer traffic vs. thinner winter demand will test year-round viability.
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Distribution: With limited brand awareness in North America, partnerships or expanded agency distribution could be critical.
Outlook
HiSky’s cautious expansion to Chicago suggests the JFK experiment has delivered enough proof of concept to keep growing. The ORD schedule, pricing, and aircraft choice point to a pragmatic, cost-aware approach aimed at stimulating nonstop demand from Romania while skimming price-sensitive premium traffic.
Bottom Line
HiSky will add Bucharest–Chicago O’Hare twice weekly from June 2026, using its sole A330-200, while JFK continues at least through next spring. Whether Chicago supplements or replaces New York next summer will hinge on bookings, aircraft reliability, and seasonal yield. For travelers, it’s another welcome nonstop link between Romania and the U.S.—with sharp fares and a simple onboard proposition.
