Demand for US-UK flights soars after quarantine-free travel announced

Demand for flights from the US to the UK has surged since the Government announced the scrapping of the quarantine requirement for fully vaccinated travellers.

Virgin Atlantic said it received more than three times as many bookings for flights from New York to London compared with a week earlier, while total bookings across all its US to UK routes more than doubled.

The time period analysed is from when the new policy was announced on Wednesday afternoon until 9am on Thursday, and the same period last week.

Fully vaccinated travellers from the US, the EU and a handful of other European countries will no longer need to self-isolate for 10 days when entering Britain from 4am on Monday.

Virgin Atlantic chief commercial officer Juha Jarvinen said: “We know there’s pent-up demand to travel and our surge in bookings for US-UK travel reflects this.

“The news that self-isolation for fully vaccinated US citizens arriving into the UK will be removed from August 2 has increased consumer confidence, allowing our customers to finally plan a much-needed reunion with family, friends and business colleagues.

“Flight bookings are up by more than 100% week-on-week, with bookings from New York to London increasing by nearly 250%, compared to the previous week.

“We’ve missed flying our US-based customers and we’re excited to welcome them back on board soon.”

Mr Jarvinen urged the Government to “go further” by moving the US to its green travel list, which would also exempt unvaccinated passengers from quarantine.

It is not possible for most European travellers, including those from the UK, to enter the US due to coronavirus fears.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention also advises Americans against travel to the UK.