HiSky‘s New Route from Bucharest to Chicago O’Hare
HiSky is set to commence direct flights from Bucharest to Chicago O’Hare International Airport starting June 4, 2026. This marks the first nonstop service between these two cities since TAROM ceased operations on the route in 1995.
Route Details and Aircraft
The Bucharest to Chicago route stretches 4,533 nautical miles (8,395 km) each way, making it O’Hare’s third-longest European service next year. This places it just behind longer routes like Istanbul and Athens. In contrast, routes such as Belgrade-Chicago and Chicago-Naples cover slightly less distance.
HiSky will operate this service twice weekly using its Airbus A330-200, which seats 274 passengers—24 in business class (configured 2-2-2) and 250 in economy class (configured 2-4-2). This particular aircraft, registered YR-KID, was previously owned by Sichuan Airlines and joined HiSky’s fleet in December 2023.
Ticket Pricing and In-flight Services
Pricing for economy class round-trip tickets starts at approximately $829, which is relatively affordable compared to one-stop alternatives. These indirect flights, while potentially offering better in-flight amenities, will require more travel time.
HiSky’s economical ticket includes basics such as an 8 kg cabin bag and online check-in (with a fee for airport check-in). However, passengers may find in-flight entertainment lacking, as there are no Wi-Fi services, charging ports, or complementary meals, though recent customer feedback suggests that in-flight meals are now provided.
| Days Of Operating | Bucharest To O’Hare (Local Times) | O’Hare To Bucharest (Local Times) |
|---|---|---|
| Thursdays, Sundays | 09:00-12:50 (11h 50m block) | 14:20-07:10+1 (8h 50m) |
Market Potential for Bucharest-Chicago Flights
Over the 12 months ending July 2025, there were 18,000 round-trip passengers between Bucharest and Chicago. Most were Romanian Americans, reflecting a niche yet viable market, which HiSky aims to expand with competitive pricing and convenient direct flights.
Bucharest ranks as O’Hare’s fifth-largest unserved city in Central and Eastern Europe, trailing behind Prague, Budapest, Sofia, and Vilnius, which all recorded higher indirect traffic numbers.
| Top 5 Connecting Airports For Chicago-Bucharest Passengers* | % Of Indirect Passengers |
|---|---|
| Warsaw (LOT Polish) | 18% |
| Istanbul (Turkish Airlines) | 16% |
| Frankfurt (Lufthansa) | 15% |
| Munich (Lufthansa) | 13% |
| London Heathrow (British Airways) | 10% |
| * August 2024-July 2025 | |
Other Destinations and Future Plans
Flights to Chicago coincide with an existing service from Bucharest to New York JFK, which began in June 2024. Initiated 15 years after Delta’s withdrawal, the service eventually expanded to five times weekly in summer 2025, although it will reduce to three times weekly once Chicago flights commence.
Given its limited fleet, HiSky is constrained from adding more North American routes, though Toronto remains a significant market. Future expansion may depend on acquiring additional aircraft.
