Ticketing data reveals a huge jump in UK week-on-week bookings when the announcement was made on 20 September and a 15% movement on 15 October when the reopening date of 8 November was confirmed.

Data also shows UK bookings on 20 September reached around 40% of 2019 levels and jumped to almost 60% of 2019 rates on 15 October.

The largest proportion of bookings from the UK, EU and Brazil – 16% – were for travel in the week starting 20 December, with 15% from 8 November and 14% from 13 December.

Juan Gomez, ForwardKeys’ head of market intelligence, 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.”