USA. ForwardKeys has published new research which reveals that flight bookings to the US have soared on the back of two key announcements that the country would reopen to vaccinated foreign travellers. According to the travel data analyst’s figures, by mid-October weekly bookings exceeded 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
The first announcement was made on 20 September. The White House said that visitors from the UK, 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.
In response, week-on-week bookings from the UK jumped +83%, from Brazil they leapt +71%, and from the EU a huge +185% spike was noted.
The second White House announcement was made on 15 October, when 8 November was named as the date restrictions would be eased. Week-on-week bookings climbed significantly again according to the ForwardKeys data, jumping +15% from the UK, +26% from the EU and +100% from Brazil.
ForwardKeys observed that from the distribution of confirmed bookings for arrival in the US during November and December from those three source markets, there were two clear peaks.
The first was for travel immediately after the relaxation of restrictions during the week commencing 8 November, with UK, Brazil and the EU achieving 15% of all flight bookings to the US. The second peak was over the Christmas period, with the three source markets achieving 16% of bookings during Christmas week and 14% the week before.
ForwardKeys Head of Market Intelligence Juan Gómez said: “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. 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.”
