Wait, let's get something straight right away. If you’re searching for the High Flying Romance cast, you’ve probably noticed something a bit weird. You're likely looking for that breezy, 2023 romantic comedy that popped up on streaming services and made everyone suddenly nostalgic for the era of mid-budget movies about people falling in love in mid-air. It’s got that specific "Sunday afternoon on the couch" energy.
But here is the catch.
There’s often a weird mix-up online between various aviation-themed romances. We’ve had a surge of "love in the clouds" movies lately—everything from Netflix's Love at First Sight to various Hallmark-style adventures. However, the specific 2023 film High Flying Romance (originally titled A_Flying_Romance or sometimes associated with the title Love is in the Air) features a very specific set of faces that carry the whole "propeller plane" aesthetic.
The Faces Behind the High Flying Romance Cast
The heavy lifting in this movie is done by Delta Goodrem. Honestly, if you grew up in Australia or followed the early 2000s pop charts, you know exactly who she is. She plays Dana Randall, a pilot for a non-profit air service in the Whitsundays. It’s a role that requires her to be both incredibly capable and slightly vulnerable, which she nails. She isn’t just a singer-turned-actor; she has a legitimate screen presence that makes the somewhat predictable plot feel a bit more grounded.
Then you’ve got Joshua Sasse.
He plays William, the high-flying (pun intended) London financial guy sent to crunch the numbers and potentially shut down Dana’s operation. Sasse has that classic leading-man look—think Galavant but with more corporate suits and less singing. The chemistry between him and Goodrem is basically the engine of the film. Without it, the movie would just be a very long travel brochure for Queensland.
The Supporting Players You Might Recognize
It’s not just a two-person show, though it feels like it sometimes.
- Roy Billing: He plays Jeff, Dana’s father. Billing is a veteran of the Australian screen. He brings that "gruff but gold-hearted" energy that provides the emotional stakes for the business side of the story.
- Steph Tisdell: Playing Nikki, she provides the necessary best-friend-slash-mechanic energy. Her comedic timing is sharp, often undercutting the more saccharine moments between the leads.
It is a small cast. Tight. It feels intimate because the setting—a small island hangar—doesn’t really allow for a massive ensemble. That’s probably why the movie works as well as it does; it doesn't get distracted by unnecessary subplots about a cousin’s wedding or a corporate takeover in New York that we never see.
Why This Specific Cast Works for This Genre
Casting a romance is basically alchemy. You can have the best script in the world, but if the two leads look like they’d rather be doing their taxes than kissing, the movie dies. In High Flying Romance, the producers leaned heavily into the "opposites attract" trope.
You have the rugged, salt-of-the-earth pilot and the polished, cynical city guy.
Delta Goodrem’s casting was particularly smart. She’s an Australian icon, which gives the film an immediate sense of place. It doesn't feel like an American movie pretending to be in Australia; it feels authentic. Joshua Sasse, being British, adds that fish-out-of-water element that makes his character’s gradual softening feel earned. It’s a classic formula.
Is it groundbreaking? No. Is it comforting? Absolutely.
The Confusion with Other "Flying" Romances
This is where things get a bit messy for fans. The internet is a disaster when it comes to cataloging these niche rom-coms.
Sometimes people look for the High Flying Romance cast and they are actually thinking of the Hallmark movie Love in the Air or the Netflix hit Love at First Sight starring Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy. It's easy to see why. The titles are all variations on a theme: planes, altitude, and serendipity.
However, the Goodrem-Sasse project stands out because of its actual aviation focus. They spent a lot of time in real hangars and around real planes. The scenery isn’t green-screened into oblivion; those are the actual Whitsunday Islands. When you see the cast sweating in the humidity, that’s not just good makeup—it’s Queensland in the summer.
Nuance in the Performances
What most people miss when they talk about these "guilty pleasure" movies is the technicality of the acting.
Goodrem has to handle technical dialogue about fuel lines and weather patterns while looking like she’s falling in love. Sasse has to play a "villain" (the corporate hatchet man) who remains likable enough that we actually want him to stay at the end. That is a very narrow tightrope to walk. If he’s too mean, the romance feels toxic. If he’s too nice from the start, there’s no conflict.
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The supporting cast, especially Steph Tisdell, keeps the movie from drifting too far into "melodrama" territory. Tisdell’s character acts as the audience’s proxy, essentially saying, "Hey, look at these two attractive people being weird around each other."
Making Sense of the Production Background
Filmed primarily in the Whitsundays, the production was a massive boost for the local industry. Director Adrian Powers really leaned into the natural light of Northern Queensland.
If you look closely at the credits, you'll see a lot of familiar names from the Australian TV circuit. This wasn't a massive Hollywood production with a billion-dollar budget. It was a targeted, well-crafted piece of genre fiction designed for a specific audience. And that audience showed up. Since its release on platforms like Netflix (where it often trends under the title Love is in the Air), it has found a second life far beyond its initial broadcast.
Common Questions About the Cast
Did Delta Goodrem actually fly the plane?
Mostly no. While she spent a lot of time in the cockpit for filming, insurance companies generally have a minor heart attack if a lead actress tries to land a Cessna on a dirt strip. Stunt pilots and clever camera angles did the heavy lifting there.Where have I seen Joshua Sasse before?
Aside from Galavant, he was in No Tomorrow and has had a fairly steady career in both UK and US television. He’s got that specific "International Man of Mystery" vibe that fits well in these exotic-location romances.📖 Related: Antenna TV Schedule Charleston SC: What Really Happens When You Cut the Cord
Is there a sequel planned?
As of now, there is no official word. But in the world of streaming rom-coms, never say never. If the numbers stay high, "High Flying Romance 2: Flight to London" (I just made that title up, don't quote me) isn't out of the question.
Real-World Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this cast, your best bet is to follow their social media or look into the Australian film industry's recent output. Delta Goodrem, in particular, often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her filming process.
One thing that makes this movie different from, say, a random Christmas movie, is the genuine effort to showcase the life of a commercial pilot in a remote area. It's a "thin" plot, sure, but it's draped over a very interesting, real-world profession.
Actionable Steps for Rom-Com Buffs
- Check the regional titles: If you can't find it under "High Flying Romance," search for Love is in the Air. Different territories used different titles for the same film.
- Follow the director: Adrian Powers has a knack for this kind of visual storytelling; his other projects often carry the same "vibe."
- Explore the discography: Since Delta Goodrem is a musician first for many, her soundtrack contributions are usually worth a listen if you liked the movie's atmosphere.
The reality of the High Flying Romance cast is that it’s a group of seasoned professionals who knew exactly what kind of movie they were making. They didn't try to make Citizen Kane; they tried to make something that feels like a warm hug. In an era of gritty reboots and confusing multiverses, there is something deeply respectable about a movie that just wants to show you two pretty people in a plane, figuring out that they actually like each other.
Keep an eye on Joshua Sasse and Delta Goodrem. Their chemistry in this film has already sparked rumors of future collaborations, though nothing is set in stone yet. For now, you can find the movie streaming on most major platforms, usually hovering somewhere in the "Popular" or "Romantic" categories. Just make sure you've got the right title, as the "flying romance" sub-genre is getting more crowded by the day.