SkyUp Chișinău-Dubai and London flights: route guide
SkyUp has opened sales for two new routes from Chișinău to Dubai and London Stansted. The Dubai service is planned for winter 2026-27, while the London service starts with the airline's summer 2027 programme.
The routes do not share the same start date or operating pattern. Dubai begins on December 20, 2026 and gradually reaches three flights a week. London Stansted begins on March 26, 2027 with flights on Mondays and Fridays.
*Original OpenSim editorial illustration. The unbranded aircraft, terminal and skylines are illustrative and do not depict SkyUp, Chișinău Airport or a specific flight.*
The practical answer: book by airport code, not city name alone. The new services use Chișinău (RMO), Dubai International (DXB) and London Stansted (STN). Check the exact local times in SkyUp's booking result because the launch announcement gives operating days but not a complete timetable or flight numbers.
This guide was reviewed on October 6, 2026, the day SkyUp announced the routes and opened ticket sales.
Route dates and operating days
SkyUp's route announcement sets out two separate programmes:
| Route | First planned flight | Published operating pattern | Current programme boundary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chișinău (RMO) to Dubai (DXB) | December 20, 2026 | Sundays from December 20, Tuesdays from December 22, and Fridays from January 8, 2027 | Through March 28, 2027 |
| Chișinău (RMO) to London Stansted (STN) | March 26, 2027 | Mondays and Fridays | Part of the summer 2027 programme |
The Dubai route does not begin with all three days at once. A December traveler should search the actual date rather than assume the later Sunday, Tuesday and Friday pattern is already in place.
SkyUp has not published the full direction-by-direction timetable or flight numbers in this announcement. Departure and arrival times can change before launch, so the itinerary shown during booking and the later manage-booking record are the useful sources for a specific trip.
What the launch fares mean
SkyUp advertised one-way fares from €161 to Dubai and €48 to London, with airport fees included. These are limited promotional prices, not a fixed fare for every departure.
The airline says the offer runs from October 6 through November 4, 2026. Availability can disappear sooner on individual dates because the number of seats at the promotional price is limited. The lowest result may also be a JustFly fare without a checked bag.
Compare the final basket rather than the first number shown. Add the baggage, seat, check-in option and payment terms that matter, then compare the same dates with other nonstop or connecting choices. The airline's announcement quotes one-way starting prices and does not promise the same amount for a return leg.
SkyUp fare and baggage comparison
SkyUp's current fare table separates the three bundles clearly:
| Fare | Included cabin baggage | Included checked baggage | Online check-in window opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| JustFly | One item up to 9 kg and 40 x 30 x 20 cm | None | 72 hours before departure |
| Fly&Smile | One item up to 9 kg and 55 x 40 x 20 cm | One item up to 23 kg | 15 days before departure |
| Fly&Celebrate | One 9 kg item up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm plus one 9 kg item up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm | One item up to 32 kg | 30 days before departure |
The dimensions matter as much as the weight. JustFly's included item is smaller than a normal cabin suitcase and must stay within 40 x 30 x 20 cm. SkyUp says extra items such as a laptop, umbrella or outerwear must fit inside the allowance or be paid for as another piece.
Extra baggage prices are dynamic and can depend on the route, departure airport and purchase point. SkyUp's current additional-services table lists lower online starting prices than airport or boarding-gate charges. Check the live amount for both directions in My Bookings rather than treating a published starting price as a quote.
Check-in and airport timing
Online check-in is available for SkyUp's regular flights and currently closes four hours before departure. Its opening time depends on the fare, as shown above.
SkyUp says airport counters normally open 2 hours 30 minutes before departure and close 45 minutes before departure. Boarding closes 20 minutes before departure. Airport check-in is included with Fly&Celebrate; the airline currently charges €30 for airport check-in on the other regular-flight fares.
These are airline cutoffs, not a recommended arrival time. Passport control, baggage queues and security still take time. Public discussions about RMO and STN repeatedly raise crowding and early-departure concerns, so leave a buffer and use the airport's live departure information on the day.
Save the boarding pass and booking details offline. If an airport requires a document check or does not accept the mobile pass for a particular journey, follow the instruction in SkyUp's check-in flow rather than assuming online completion means the counter can be skipped.
London Stansted is not central London
STN is London Stansted, not Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton or London City. Confirm the airport code before arranging a pickup or onward ticket.
London Stansted Airport's current rail guidance lists direct Stansted Express services to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale. The airport currently gives typical journeys of about 50 minutes to Liverpool Street and 35 minutes to Tottenham Hale, but engineering work and late arrivals can change the best choice.
Do not book a tight separate onward flight or train from another London airport. Reaching Heathrow or Gatwick requires a trip across or around London, with time for immigration, baggage collection and disruption. If a connection is on a separate ticket, the onward operator does not have to protect it when the SkyUp flight is late.
Dubai airport and onward travel
The route uses Dubai International Airport (DXB). Dubai Airports lists Metro access at Terminals 1 and 3, along with taxis and buses, but the airline announcement does not name the terminal for the new service.
Check the terminal in the confirmed booking and again before travel. A terminal assumption can add an avoidable transfer at a large airport. Travelers connecting on a separate ticket should also allow time to enter the UAE if required, collect bags, change terminals and check in again.
The published Dubai service is seasonal and currently ends on March 28, 2027. A return after that date needs a different SkyUp schedule or another carrier. Do not infer a summer continuation from the launch fare or a one-way result.
Passport, visa and entry checks
Entry permission depends on the passport used, not the departure city or where the traveler lives. For the UK, use the official visa and ETA checker with the exact passport nationality. An ETA is not a substitute for a visa when that nationality requires one.
For Dubai, check the UAE requirements that apply to the passport and trip purpose through the relevant government, embassy or airline channel. Rules for a short visit and an airside transit are not always the same.
Carry the passport used for the booking and entry permission. Dual nationals should check which passport supports the trip before buying, especially when one document requires a visa and another may qualify for a different permission.
Mobile data for either route
OpenSim's live catalog includes Moldova eSIM plans, United Arab Emirates eSIM plans and United Kingdom eSIM plans. Choose the destination plan that matches the part of the journey where data is needed.
Mobile data can help with booking updates, maps, Metro or rail information and messaging after arrival. It does not provide inflight Wi-Fi, change an airline cutoff or guarantee service inside every airport area.
Compare each plan's allowance, validity, network, speed behavior, hotspot terms and top-up eligibility. Some plans can be topped up and others cannot. Before purchase, check whether the phone supports eSIM and estimate likely use with the travel data calculator.
Ten questions about the new SkyUp routes
When do SkyUp flights from Chișinău to Dubai start?
The first flight is planned for Sunday, December 20, 2026. Tuesday service starts on December 22, while Friday service starts later, on January 8, 2027.
How often will SkyUp fly from Chișinău to Dubai?
The full published pattern is three times a week on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. It builds in stages, so search the exact travel date during the first weeks.
Is the Dubai route year-round?
Not under the current announcement. SkyUp says the winter programme runs through March 28, 2027. A trip returning later needs a fresh schedule check.
When do Chișinău to London Stansted flights begin?
The first RMO-STN flight is planned for Friday, March 26, 2027. SkyUp says the route will then operate on Mondays and Fridays.
Are the €48 London and €161 Dubai fares guaranteed?
No. They are limited one-way promotional fares available during the stated October 6 to November 4 offer period. The selected date, fare bundle and extras determine the final price.
Does the cheapest SkyUp fare include a cabin suitcase?
JustFly includes one 9 kg item measuring up to 40 x 30 x 20 cm. A standard overhead-bin suitcase is not included unless it fits that limit; a larger cabin allowance can be bought or included with another bundle.
Can I check in at the airport for free?
Airport check-in is included with Fly&Celebrate. SkyUp currently lists a €30 airport check-in fee for other regular-flight fares, so complete online check-in before its four-hour cutoff when eligible.
How do I get from Stansted to central London?
The Stansted Express runs directly to Liverpool Street and Tottenham Hale. Check the live timetable for the arrival date, especially late at night or during engineering work.
Can I make a separate connection at Stansted or Dubai?
Yes, but build in time for immigration, baggage collection, terminal movement and a new check-in. Separate tickets normally leave the traveler responsible if the first flight is delayed.
Do I need a visa or UK ETA?
That depends on the passport used and any existing immigration status. Use the UK government's checker for London and current UAE guidance for Dubai before paying for a non-refundable fare.
Before booking
- Search RMO-DXB or RMO-STN for the exact date.
- Confirm that the correct operating day has started by then.
- Read the local departure and arrival times in the booking result.
- Compare the final price after bags, seats and check-in choices.
- Measure the included cabin item and check its weight.
- Confirm the airport and terminal close to departure.
- Check passport, visa and ETA requirements for every traveler.
- Leave a recovery margin for any separate onward ticket.
- Save the itinerary, boarding pass and baggage receipt offline.
- Recheck the route status before traveling to RMO.
Route sources and update triggers
SkyUp's announcement controls the published start dates, operating days, seasonal boundary and launch-fare window. Its fare, baggage, check-in and additional-services pages control the current allowances, deadlines and fees. Airport and government pages control ground transport and entry guidance.
Public traveler discussions were used to identify recurring questions about RMO crowding, early departures, Stansted immigration, central-London travel and separate connections. They were not used as evidence for an airline rule or official cutoff.
Update this page when SkyUp publishes the complete timetable and flight numbers, changes the launch dates or operating days, extends the Dubai season, changes a fare allowance or fee, confirms terminals, or begins each route.
*Route, fare, baggage, airport and OpenSim catalog details were reviewed on October 6, 2026.*
