U.S. Restrictions Ease And Flight Bookings Soar

Bookings of flights to the United States have soared following its announcement that it would reopen to vaccinated foreign travellers in November. By mid-October, weekly bookings exceeded 70% of pre-pandemic levels, reports ForwardKeys.

In new research, ForwarKeys says that on Sept. 20 — when the White House said that visitors from the United Kingdom, Ireland, the 26 Schengen countries, China, India, South Africa, Iran and Brazil would be allowed to enter the USA, without being subject to quarantine, provided they were fully vaccinated – there was an immediate reaction, with week-on-week bookings from the UK jumping 83%, from Brazil jumping 71%, and from the EU jumping 185%.

And when the U.S. announced that restrictions would be relaxed on Nov. 8, week-on-week bookings climbed higher still, jumping 15% from the UK, 26% from the EU and 100% from Brazil.

ForwardKeys says that looking at the distribution of confirmed bookings, for arrival in November and December, from those three source markets (Brazil, EU and UK), there were two clear peaks.

The first peak was for travel immediately after the relaxation of restrictions during the week commencing 8th November, achieving 15% of bookings. The second peak was over Christmas, achieving 16% of bookings during Christmas week and 14% the week before.

Juan Gómez, head of market intelligence for ForwardKeys, explained that: “This data yet again demonstrates the enormous pent-up demand for travel. Immediately people heard that they would be allowed to visit the USA again; they booked; and a substantial proportion booked to fly as soon as they could. It is also interesting to note that bookings climbed higher once a specific date was given.”

Gómez continued: “That is not entirely surprising for two reasons. First, the certainty of a specific date inspires confidence. Second, those wanting to travel before the end of November could not afford to make a commitment until they knew for sure that they could travel when they wanted to. I am optimistic that in the coming weeks, we will see a steep increase in bookings to the USA for the Christmas period.”

Go to www.ForwardKeys.com for more.