Virgin Atlantic Survey Reveals UK Travelers Excited to Get Back to the US
A new survey commissioned by Virgin Atlantic shows how much U.K. travelers are looking forward to visiting America when U.S. borders reopen to vaccinated foreign travelers on Nov. 8. The new research identifies that two in five (40%) of Brits have missed traveling to the U.S. after over 18 months of COVID-19 restrictions.
More than 2,000 adults in the U.K. were surveyed by YouGov, a British international Internet-based market research and data analytics firm. Travelers heading across the pond will do so with a renewed sense of adventure as 52% want to visit places they’ve never seen before to find new experiences. Forty percent want to explore a national park such as Yosemite or Joshua Tree National Parks. That may suggest they feel more comfortable about continuing to social distance outdoors.
In addition to exploring a national park, U.K. travelers look forward to a casual stroll through Central Park in New York City (33%), seeing the Statue of Liberty (29%), and visiting Walt Disney World Resort and/or Universal Studios in Orlando (26%). Rounding out the top 5, twenty-five percent of respondents who want to travel to the U.S. would like to visit the top of the Empire State Building.
Clearly, New York City is a top destination for several Brits. More than a third of those surveyed who want to travel to the U.S.A. choose NYC as their city of choice. We love visiting the gayborhoods like Hell’s Kitchen and Chelsea, and the other culturally diverse spots in New York City, including the places featured in our Check Your Luggage video series.
The Big Apple also landed the most Virgin Atlantic bookings of any U.S. city following the initial news of the U.S. borders reopening. The airline also saw a 120% increase in flights to Orlando after the reopening announcement.
“After 18 months of travel restrictions between the U.K. and U.S., it’s clear from demand in our bookings and our research that customers are more excited than ever to return Stateside to explore, relax or reconnect with loved ones,” said Juha Jarvinen, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Atlantic. “We’re so delighted that fully vaccinated U.K. travelers can enjoy the U.S.A. once again on Monday.”
Virgin Atlantic flies direct between London Heathrow and New York-JFK with return fares at approximately $487 (£358) per person, Las Vegas from $690 (£507) per person, and Orlando from $558 (£410) per person, which includes complimentary food, drink, and inflight entertainment.
For further information including on other destinations – San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta, and Boston as well as flight from Manchester – visit Virgin Atlantic’s website. Prices are subject to change.
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 2117 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 27th – 28th September 2021. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
