On August 19th, I flew out of Bucharest with a group of 12 heading into a 12-day tour of the US and Canada. Nothing unusual about that route for me — I’ve flown it before. What caught my attention this time was watching who was boarding the return leg back to Bucharest: rows of American travelers, several of them telling me it was their first trip to Romania, all of them flying nonstop, no layover in Frankfurt or Istanbul required. A few years ago, that would have been rare. Now it’s routine. That shift comes down to one airline: HiSky. Direct flights from the USA to Romania are now a real, bookable option — so if you’ve been putting off a trip because you assumed it meant two flights and a long connection, that’s no longer the case. Here’s exactly what’s changed.

Direct Flights from the USA to Romania: The Current Routes

Two US cities now connect nonstop to Bucharest, and both are worth understanding before you book.

HiSky’s Direct Route Between New York and Bucharest

HiSky launched its first nonstop transatlantic service between Bucharest and New York’s JFK Airport in June 2024, using an Airbus A330. It was a notable moment for Romanian aviation: the country hadn’t had a direct scheduled flight to the US since TAROM discontinued its route in 2003, over two decades earlier.

The New York–Bucharest flight has operated more or less continuously since then, typically running two to four times a week depending on the season, with a flight time of roughly 9 to 10 hours in each direction. As of the 2026 summer schedule, HiSky operates the route with regular weekly frequencies out of JFK, making it a realistic option to build a trip around rather than a once-in-a-while charter.

Chicago Joins the Network in June 2026

The bigger news for 2026 is Chicago. Starting June 4, HiSky is adding a second direct US route, connecting Bucharest with Chicago O’Hare, flying twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays. It’s the first direct link between Romania and Chicago in 24 years, and it makes HiSky the only airline operating two separate nonstop connections between Romania and the United States at the same time.

For travelers in the Midwest, this matters more than it might seem. Instead of routing through New York or a European hub before continuing on to Bucharest, a Chicago departure cuts out a full connection — which on a long-haul trip can easily mean saving half a day of travel and one less place for luggage or a tight layover to go wrong.

Why Direct Flights from the USA to Romania Matter for Trip Planning

A direct flight doesn’t just save time — it changes how people plan. I’ve noticed more American guests booking shorter trips (7–10 days rather than the two-and-a-half-week itineraries that used to be common), specifically because they no longer need to “make the long flight worth it” by stretching the trip to justify a difficult connection. A nonstop flight makes a focused week in Transylvania a much easier decision.

It also means less recovery time needed on arrival. Landing in Bucharest after one direct flight instead of two connecting ones, most travelers are ready to start exploring the same day or the next morning, rather than losing the first day of the trip to jet lag and delayed luggage.

A few practical notes if you’re booking:

• Frequency varies by season. Flights run more often in summer (peak travel months) and can drop to two or three per week in the off-season — check current schedules before locking in other bookings.
• Bucharest is the arrival point either way. Both the New York and (starting June 2026) Chicago routes land at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), Bucharest’s main airport, which is also the natural starting point for tours heading into Transylvania.
• Book connections with some buffer. If your final destination is elsewhere in Romania or a neighboring country, leave a reasonable gap after landing rather than scheduling a tight same-day onward connection — arrival times can shift.

Getting to Romania from the US: What Happens After You Land

Landing in Bucharest is just the first step for most travelers heading toward the castles, fortified churches, and mountain towns that draw people to Romania in the first place. Sibiu, Brasov, and Sighisoara are all a few hours’ drive from the capital, and a guided tour that starts with airport pickup removes the need to figure out trains, car rentals, or navigating an unfamiliar road system straight off a long flight.

If you’re planning a first trip built around one of these new direct routes, our Real Dracula Tour is a 6-day guided circuit through Transylvania and Wallachia that starts right in Bucharest — a practical way to turn a direct flight into a complete trip without piecing together the logistics yourself.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there direct flights from the USA to Romania?

Yes. HiSky operates nonstop flights between Bucharest and New York’s JFK Airport, with a second route to Chicago O’Hare launching June 4, 2026.

Which US cities have direct flights to Bucharest?

Currently New York (JFK) and, starting June 2026, Chicago (O’Hare) — both operated by HiSky.

How long is the flight from New York to Bucharest?

The nonstop flight takes roughly 9 to 10 hours in each direction.

When does the Chicago–Bucharest route start?

The route begins June 4, 2026, operating twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays.

How often does HiSky fly between the US and Romania?

Frequency varies by season — typically two to four times a week on the New York route, more often in summer, and twice weekly on the Chicago route.

Which airport do direct flights to Romania land at?

Both routes land at Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) in Bucharest.

Was there a direct flight to Romania before HiSky?

Not since 2003, when TAROM discontinued its US route — meaning HiSky’s New York flight was the first direct scheduled connection between Romania and the US in over two decades.

A Quick Look Back — and Forward

It’s a small full-circle moment: the same year Romanians are increasingly comfortable hopping a direct flight to New York or Chicago for a US tour, Americans are finding it just as easy to fly the other way into Bucharest. Direct routes tend to build on themselves — more frequency brings more competitive fares, which brings more travelers, which supports more frequency. If HiSky’s pattern with the New York route is any indication, Chicago’s twice-weekly schedule is likely to expand as demand grows.

Direct flights from the USA to Romania are no longer the exception — 2026 looks like the year that became the norm. If you’re ready to turn that flight into a trip, get in touch with us for a personalized itinerary, or take a look at the Real Dracula Tour to see what a week in Transylvania actually looks like.