Transatlantic travel hits 99% of pre-pandemic levels
More than 4,000 flights due to depart UK for US in May
Koichiko
Transatlantic travel is approaching pre-pandemic levels after the US dropped all entry restrictions, new data shows.
A total of 4,414 flights are scheduled to depart the UK for the US in May, equating to over 1.1 million seats, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Departures from the UK to the US are projected to hit 99% of May 2019 levels, when 4,456 flights were scheduled.
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Flights from the UK to the US are up 22% compared to May 2022 and up 493% compared to May 2021, as travellers resume business and leisure trips.
Heathrow has the highest share of scheduled flights from the UK to the US this month (86%), followed by Gatwick (6%), Edinburgh (3%) and Manchester (3%).
From the UK, JFK airport remains the most popular US destination by scheduled flights, followed by Los Angeles, Newark, Chicago and Boston.
This month, British Airways will operate the highest share of flights between the UK and US (31%), followed by American Airlines (18%), United Airlines (18%), Virgin Atlantic (16%) and Delta Air Lines (10%).
The vaccine mandate for all UK travellers to the USA was dropped on May 11.
