In 2024, Romanian low cost airline HiSky began flying to the United States. Surprisingly, the route has operated year-round since then. Not only that, but we’re now seeing the airline expand, and announce plans to fly to a second airport in the United States… that’s kind of cool!
Continue reading: Romania’s HiSky Expands United States Flights, With New York & Chicago
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Flying Hi Sky to Bucharest in about a month.
While the product may not be all that exciting the fares are quite nice.
Also, I believe it is the earliest overnight transatlantic flight from New York. I personally kind of like the timing.
As a Romanian, I see their only real merit as being the country’s first and only transatlantic operator (after so many years without a direct flight across the Atlantic). I don’t know their exact load factors, but from a business perspective it seemed like the right moment to launch the route, given that Romania was expected to join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. That didn’t happen, but there is probably still enough demand simply because of the appeal of a direct service.
Historically, most Romanians looking for reasonable fares would first get themselves to Budapest, Hungary (sometimes even by car), and then connect through major European hubs. The pattern was: get youself to BUD airport → connect via a hub → take the long-haul flight. From what I understand, in recebt years there was also competitive fares out of Romanian airports through the Lufthansa Group airlines, but the best deals were still comparable to the current pricing of HiSky.
They’re trying to fill that gap with direct flights. The question is whether this demand will remain strong in the long run, especially if Romania doesn’t eventually join the Visa Waiver Program, which would have made the route far more sustainable.
1:50pm departure - wow, that’s pretty much a day flight!
But I think the 12:55pm flight to Tashkent on Uzbekistan Airways is an earlier transatlantic overnight flight 🙂
The main reason for their success was they were among very few carriers that kept service to TLV throughout the past 2 years. Now that UA is back and restarting ORD and IAD and DL seems to be going to 2 daily from JFK, a swell as other European Carriers flying back into TLV. Could be the demand has slackened off for their TLV flights, and there were very lengthy layovers both ways so if given a choice whjo wants an 8 hrb layover at a lousy hour.
Er, they still exist…or do you mean you miss the days when they flew to the US and Canada?
I wonder when you say “some weeks the airline doesn’t feel like operating” if it has to do with maintenance. With only one frame, they have zero options if the plane isn’t flyable for some reason. Well, I guess they could operate via SNN or some other tech stop assuming their A321LR is ETOPS, , but that seems like it would create a whole new pile of issues.
There was some sarcasm involved. I don't have a good memory of one of their JFK flights. Other than it was really cheap.
I recently flew from Bucharest to JFK, and I had a great experience. They should definitely add some other destinations (Washington, DC)
When I first heard of the airline, I fleetingly thought it was a typo for 'Hi Fly' .... But at least for future fleet planning purposes they could look into acquiring some of the former's aircraft and only need to change 2 letters when inducting it into their fleet ! .lol
I flew on Hi-Sky January 2025 and it was a nice experience. Friendly staff, flight was on time and checking in wasn't a hassle. I'm happy for the additional route. Hopefully they'll be able to add a Florida route in the future!
Flew them in April. My only issue is with Terminal 7, no PreCheck, no lounges. But it was not very crowded. Flight sevice and food were good. Seats were clean and comfortable. I find them a good choice.