The importance of the US reopening its borders to international travels for the first time since March 2020 is further underlined by reports of soaring demand for transatlantic flights.
Travel leaders have hailed the reopening a "turning point" for travel after some 20 months of Covid-enforced lockdown and travel restrictions.
Here are the key headlines travel woke up to on Tuesday 9 November.
US carriers report soaring transatlantic demand
Bookings for flights between the UK and US have rocketed with the reopening of US borders. United said numbers were up 50% on the previous week, while American Airlines said demand from Heathrow was up 70% on last week. (Financial Times)
US reopening crucial, says BA boss
British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle described the reopening of US borders as a “turning point” for the flag-carrier airline. Speaking on board flight BA001, he said: “Today we are flying to 17 cities in the US, which is a big step up from where we were a couple of months ago. By December we will be flying to 23.” (The Times)
Travellers told to expect US border queues
Delta’s chief executive Ed Bastian has warned travellers to expect queues at US airports as staff gear up after an absence of UK travellers that has lasted 20 months. Bastian said: "It’s going to be a bit sloppy at first. I can assure you, there will be lines unfortunately." (BBC News)
Govt extends vaccine acceptance and eases under-18 travel rules
The UK government on Monday said from 4am on 22 November, it would recognise all Covid vaccines on the World Health Organization’s emergency use list, which includes those produced in India and China. Previously, only four jabs were recognised. Additionally, all under-18s arriving in England from the same date will be treated as if they were fully vaccinated, removing the risk of self-isolation on arrival and easing travel headaches for families. (The i)
Snow warning as tropical storm reaches UK
Britons are being warned to prepare for the return of strong winds and torrential rain before snow arrives at the weekend with temperatures dipping to -2C. The country is due to be hit by the remnants of Tropical Storm Wanda from today. (Daily Mirror)
