America FINALLY eases travel ban

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Emotional British travellers were finally reunited with their families on American soil today after nearly two years apart as the US eased its Covid travel ban.  

Rival airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operated synchronised departures at 8.30am from London Heathrow to New York JFK to celebrate the end of the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump in March last year as Covid spread across the planet. 

The Empire State Building was lit up in red, white and blue to welcome back the first UK visitors to the US, who are expected to be greeted by New York Governor Kathy Hochul from 11am local time.    

Under travel rules announced by President Joe Biden in September, fully vaccinated visitors from countries including the UK, Ireland, China, India and South Africa are now allowed to enter America. 

They must also provide proof of either a negative test taken no more than three days before travel, or that they have recovered from Covid in the previous three months.

More than 3,600 flights are scheduled to operate between Britain and the US this month, according to travel data firm Cirium. Yet passengers now face paying three times more for a flight than before the rules were altered.  

The easing has seen thousands of people reunite with loved ones in the US for the first time in more than 600 days. 

Bhavna Patel from South London, who is flying to New York today to meet her first grandchild, said she was so excited she couldn’t sleep and added: ‘I think we might just start crying.’ 

Christian Marcelia, 26, said he was ‘excited and a bit nervous’ to be flying to New York to visit his girlfriend there for the first time.

However, it wasn’t plain sailing for some – as one man travelling with his 99-year-old father-in-law was stopped from boarding because they had the wrong Covid passes.   

James Bass, 73, a retired British IT professional, father-of-one and grandfather-of-two who lives in Tennessee, said: ‘When we came we were told we had the wrong documents. The US don’t accept the vaccine card, you need to have the digital Covid pass. We didn’t have one and I’ve been told it will take 72 hours to get one. Hopefully they can speed it up.

‘My father-in-law is coming over with me, he has just sold his house and will now have to stay in a hotel. He is coming over to stay with my wife and I for six weeks. 

Research by The Times found British Airways’ flight prices surged after the announcement of the reopening, with a one-way flight from Heathrow to New York JFK on November 6 on sale for £268, compared with £1,142 for today. Virgin Atlantic’s fares went up from £436 on November 6 to £1,108 for today.

Looking ahead to next Monday, November 15, the cheapest one-way flight from Heathrow to JFK via Skyscanner with British Airways is a whopping £1,666, while for Virgin Atlantic it is £321. For the following Monday, November 22, the cheapest with British Airways is £413 and with Virgin Atlantic it is £313. 

When compared to pre-pandemic costs, data by travel comparison website Hopper showed that flight prices between New York to London for summer 2019 came in at about £440 for a return. 

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was a ‘significant moment’ as transatlantic travel has ‘long been at the heart of UK aviation’. He added that the ‘vitally important’ UK-US flights routes boost the economy, create British jobs and help develop plans to reduce carbon emissions from flying. 

Industry leaders expect the easing of restrictions to provide a significant boost for the travel sector which has been hammered by the virus crisis, but have warned of massive queues at airports all throughout November due to an ‘onslaught of travel all at once’. 

Speaking to MailOnline today, Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, praised the relaxation as ‘the pivotal moment when travel out of the UK is far closer to normality’.

But with 49 per cent fewer flights scheduled this November than there were in the same month in 2019, he urged governments to continue ‘winding back restrictions and make it easier for consumers to travel without a myriad of online forms and tests’. 

More than 3,600 flights are scheduled to operate between Britain and the US this month, according to travel data firm Cirium. However, the data analysts said the figure was up 21 per cent on October but still 49 per cent down on November 2019. 

He said: ‘The transatlantic air corridor was one of the top three busiest routes in the world and today marks a giant leap back towards levels of travel pre-pandemic. But statistics from data analysts Cirium show that, despite the US borders re-opening, there are still 49 per cent fewer flights scheduled this November than there were in the same month in 2019.

‘Global travel is back to some 60 per cent of what it was pre-Covid so there is still a long way to go before the sector is firing on all cylinders.’ 

But passengers are facing high flight costs after today’s changes. Two weeks before the rules altered, it was revealed that flights to the US were three times as expensive for today compared to November 6, just two days prior.

Data analysts Cirium said that there were 928,559 seats available on 3,688 flights between the UK and US this month – compared with 771,587 seats on 3,041 flights last month, but 1,954,700 seats on 7,159 flights in November 2019.

The company added that British Airways was operating 1,697 flights this month, Virgin Atlantic 634, American Airlines 632, United Airlines 400, and Delta Air Lines 205 – and there were 730 flights scheduled between London Heathrow and New York JFK.

This makes Heathrow to JFK the busiest flight route this month, more than double the next busiest, which is Heathrow to Los Angeles with 318 flights.

Cirium also said there are also 238 services between Heathrow and Chicago, 230 between Heathrow and Washington Dulles, another 230 between Heathrow and Miami, and 228 between Heathrow and Boston.

As for Europe as whole, there are 1,824,283 one-way seats to the US this month on 6,605 flights, compared with the 3,136,199 seats on 11,287 flights in November 2019 – a 41 per cent drop in the number of flights.

Heathrow has the most scheduled departures to America, with 1,753 flights due to take off this month, followed by Paris Charles de Gaulle with 755 flights, Frankfurt 745, Amsterdam 563 and Istanbul 372. 

Around 3.8million Britons visited the US every year prior to the pandemic, according to the Foreign Office. 

British Airways chief executive Sean Doyle said the reopening of the US borders was a ‘moment to celebrate’ after ‘more than 600 days of separation’.

Christian Marcelia, 26, said he was ‘excited and a bit nervous’ to be flying to New York to visit his girlfriend there for the first time.

Speaking at Heathrow, he said: ‘My girlfriend lives over there, so we’ve been sort of long distance for two years. I’m going there to meet her family for the first time.’

They have been a couple for nearly two years, he said, spending most of that time on different continents due to pandemic-induced travel restrictions.

Mr Marcelia said they had seen each other four times over that period, with his girlfriend visiting him in the UK for six weeks at a time, and had done ‘a lot of FaceTime’.

‘It’s exciting to actually spend a bit more time there and see her,’ he said, adding that his girlfriend would like him to move to the US with her in future.

‘I’ve only been there once before,’ he added.

Richard Clark was looking forward to seeing his American colleagues in San Francisco. The Briton, who works in software for an American company, said it was the first time in two-and-a-half years that he was heading to the US office.

‘It’ll be great to see the boss as well,’ he said before boarding his flight at Heathrow airport. ‘With travel opening up today, it’s a crucial week for us.

‘Having worked at home for so long and being at home for so long for somebody that travels quite a lot historically, a bit apprehensive, I guess, with all the hoops you have to jump through to travel, but otherwise it’s going to be a good change of scenery.’

Asked if business travel would return to pre-pandemic levels for his company, Mr Clark said: ‘It’s hit and miss really, as and when it’s required, but hopefully it will come back a bit more.’

Peter Courts, 45, a strategy consultant and father-of-two from Lincolnshire, said: ‘I am flying to Salt Lake City for a one-week business trip, the first in two years. I used to travel for work a lot, perhaps too much, but I am looking forward to meeting new people from different organisations again, catching up with old friends and doing some on the ground work. 

‘My mum lives in Australia and she has not met my two-year-old. When I get to the US and see families reuniting, it will be difficult and bring a tinge of sadness as I still can’t do that.’  

Janice and Peter Grimes, aged 61 and 65, a retired couple from Lincoln, said: ”We are going to San Fransisco for two weeks to see our son, daughter and two grandchildren.

‘We are very excited. Pete hasn’t seen the two-and-a-half-year-old grandson and I only saw him when he was born. Normally we would go over there once or twice a year. Our reunion is going to be very emotional, we can’t wait.’

He went on: ‘Transatlantic connectivity is vital for the UK’s economic recovery, which is why we’ve been calling for the safe reopening of the UK-US travel corridor for such a long time. We must now look forward with optimism, get trade and tourism back on track and allow friends and families to connect once again.’ 

His counterpart at Virgin Atlantic, Shai Weiss, hailed the resumption of flights to the US as a ‘day of celebration’.

Speaking at Heathrow, he said: ‘It’s been 600 days that the US border has been shut down for UK nationals.

‘To see passengers coming in early in the morning, grandparents going to see grandchildren they’ve never met, families reuniting, people going to care for elderly people and businesses reconnecting is really a day of celebration for all of us in the industry and, of course, for Virgin Atlantic.’

He called the transatlantic route ‘one of the most important in the world’, adding: ‘For us at Virgin Atlantic, we say it wouldn’t be Virgin without the Atlantic.’

Mr Weiss also called the synchronised departure from Heathrow to New York a ‘remarkable achievement’. He said it showed that ‘when there is a bigger problem than the competition for the two airlines, we can unite to benefit the public, consumers and businesses.’ 

Hotel prices in New York are also returning to normal levels after a summer where discounts abounded, with Tim Hentschel, HotelPlanner’s co-founder and CEO, telling The Guardian: ‘The pent-up demand from overseas to visit the US will remain strong for at least several years.’ 

And Hilton recorded a 63 per cent surge in bookings for its US hotels among Europeans in the five weeks following President Biden’s announcement. 

Simon Vincent, EVP & President of, Europe, Middle East & Africa for Hilton, said: ‘Since news broke of the planned reopening of US borders, we’ve seen a surge of interest from European and UK guests planning to visit our US hotels. 

‘Hilton search data reveals the extent of that demand, with a 63 per cent increase in digital reservations in the five weeks following the news of plans to ease restrictions. We’ve seen similar trends across Europe, with inbound demand from US guests growing as travel rules have lifted. 

‘The reopening of the US border signals the next important phase of recovery for the industry, and we look forward to welcoming a new dawn of international travel.’ 

Speaking at Heathrow Airport, the Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Robert Courts, called the resumption of flights to the US ‘momentous’. 

He said: ‘This is a massive moment for the aviation sector as we look to build back better from the terrible blow of coronavirus pandemic. It’s about people fundamentally, it’s about getting families back together. That’s particularly important with Thanksgiving and Christmas coming up.

‘That’s on top of the massive economic benefit that there is from having the United States and Great Britain – these great friends and allies, countries that have so much in common – back in regular contact with each other again.’

Mr Courts added that the Government wants to see ‘guilt-free flying’.

‘There’s a real desire out there for the public to be able to travel in a way that is green. That is very much what we’re delivering,’ the official went on.

‘We have aircraft around today that are much more efficient and much less polluting than those that were around decades ago and in doing things like investing £180million of sustainable aviation fuels, what we’re doing is delivering the next generation of flying that means the world is interconnected, that people can see each other, that there can be investment and businesses can grow and to do so in a way that also protects the environment.

‘What we want to see is guilt-free flying.’

The White House’s assistant press secretary, Kevin Munoz, confirmed on October 15 that double vaccinated foreign nationals would be able to visit the US from November 8.

The new rules will apply to all individuals that have received vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and vaccines Listed for Emergency Use by the World Health Organisation.  

Washington has not yet commented on Europe’s recent Covid case increase. 

The WHO has expressed ‘grave concern’ over the rising pace of infections in Europe, warning the current trajectory could mean ‘another half a million Covid-19 deaths’ by February.

US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said Sunday on ABC he’s ‘cautiously optimistic about where we are,’ while adding: ‘We can’t take our foot off the accelerator until we’re at the finish line.’

‘New York here I come!’ Laura Whitmore joins a legion of delighted tourists in jetting Stateside as America’s travel ban is FINALLY lifted 

By CIARA FARMER for MAILONLINE 

Laura Whitmore joined the legion of Brits headed to the states as travel restrictions for jetting to America lifted on Monday. 

The Love Island host, 36, took to social media to share a duo of snaps showing her making her way stateside following the lightened restrictions. 

Sharing a make-up free selfie on the plane as well as a snap with two Virgin Atlantic air hostesses clad in American paraphernalia, Laura accompanied the shots with a caption reading: ‘US is open! It’s been a while.’

‘Wearing my friend Nicola Roberts’ beautiful new merch for the flight, adored with her gorgeous lyrics celebrating 10 years of Cinderella’s eyes.  love this album! New York here I come. So excited to be back x

America has finally reopened its borders to fully vaccinated UK travellers, as thousands jet off to reunite with family and friends for the first time in two years.

Rival airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic operated synchronised departures at 8.30am from London Heathrow to New York JFK to celebrate the end of the travel ban imposed by Donald Trump in March last year as Covid spread across the planet.

The Empire State Building will be lit up in red, white and blue to welcome back the first UK visitors who will be greeted by New York Governor Kathy Hochul from 11am local time.

Under travel rules announced by President Joe Biden in September, fully vaccinated visitors from countries including the UK, Ireland, China, India and South Africa will be allowed to enter America.

They must also provide proof of either a negative test taken no more than three days before travel, or that they have recovered from Covid in the previous three months.

The easing will see thousands of people reunite with loved ones in the US for the first time in more than 600 days.

The ultimate insider’s guide to the (still buzzing) Big Apple: New Yorker ASHLEY PEARSON reveals her city’s coolest bars, celebrity haunts and the best hotels

By ASHLEY PEARSON for MAILONLINE 

New York – it’s back baby! Britons have long had a love affair with New York. The soaring skyscrapers, the ever-evolving restaurant scene, unrelenting noise, and the 24/7 buzz – it is a city in constant motion. And it can make London look pastoral by comparison. 

So, when the city that never sleeps closed its borders to Brits as a pandemic precaution, you could hear the collective groans from Manhattan-philes in the UK. Now that the doors are open, here’s what you need to know.

It’s not exactly the same. Like everywhere else, this city was touched by the crisis, and the scars are still there. Everyone wears a mask inside, everywhere. Vaccination double jab cards are required for entrance to every restaurant and many shops. 

It feels like New Yorkers are on high alert. Perhaps because they still have vivid memories of lockdown. 

Trapped in their (relatively) tiny apartments, with hospitals overloaded and Central Park a makeshift morgue, this famously lively place became a ghost town.

And although many shops and restaurants have failed to reopen (I counted 36 shuttered storefront windows on a cab ride of as many blocks), the irrepressible spirit of New York remains widely in evidence. Forged in the fire of 9/11, the resilience and sheer survival instincts here are on full display. 

Block after block, newly reopened restaurants have set up jaunty looking marquis on the sidewalks (to comply with outdoor dining regulations), and locals are still out fast-walking, talking on their phones 24 hours a day. The buzz is back. 

New York is coming back to life, slowly and cautiously yes, but coming back nonetheless. And it’s a reawakening that is very much worth celebrating. 

Where to eat: For a great steak

Midtown for shopping is a must-do but if all of that retail therapy builds up an appetite it can be tricky to find a great place for an early dinner. 

Try The Grill on 52nd St set in a swanky mid-century Philip Johnson-designed dining room. 

The menu is classic New York City chophouse – the New York Strip Steak is a standout, as is the lobster. 

The adjoining space, The Pool, is also a great spot for a cocktail. 

Where to eat: Best for families

Burgerology, a Long Island staple, recently opened its first NYC location at the Crowne Plaza HY36 in Midtown. 

Famous for craft burgers with unique flavours and over-the-top milkshakes, it’s perfect for families. 

Opt for the Mac Attack burger with bacon, American cheese and Mac n’ Cheese on a Pretzel Bun, the Rockefeller with Kobe beef, or the Ice Cream Doughwich. 

Shakes are topped with everything from bananas to s’mores to rainbow cookies. 

Where to eat: For a fun night out with friends

A New York classic since it opened in 1984, Rosa Mexicana was designed to show diners that authentic Mexican cuisine does not always mean tacos and chilli-cheese burritos. 

Their tableside prepared guacamole is what they’re famous for, along with frozen margaritas and an elevated take on south-of-the-border cuisine. 

Full of stylish people out having fun, it’s a great evening. Order the Carne Asada Con Roja – the Chihuahua cheese gives it its creamy texture and the marinated meat simply melts in the mouth. And don’t leave without trying the margaritas: spicy mango, and blood orange are great, but if you don’t order the pomegranate, you are seriously missing something special. 

Where to eat: Best for celeb-spotting

Il Cantinori – an iconic Greenwich Village Italian beloved by locals (and by locals we mean Richard Gere, (you can usually catch him on a Tuesday), Al Pacino and Julia Roberts. 

The atmosphere is pure New York – eclectic, buzzing, exciting – and the service outstanding. 

Jerry Seinfeld celebrates his birthday here and Gwyneth Paltrow knows all the waiters (Willy is her favourite) by name. 

The food is delicious, authentic Tuscan, and the vibe is what keeps them coming back. 

The restaurant features in a famous Sex and the City Episode. Carrie goes there to celebrate her 35th birthday and is stood up by her friends who mistakenly go to ‘El Cantinoro’ – which is a block away. (Yes, it really exists too.) 

Coolest bar

Don’t miss out on cocktails at the Campbell Bar – set upstairs in New York’s iconic Grand Central Station (15 Vanderbilt Avenue, just off 43rd Street). This place epitomises cool, old New York. 

There are soaring, 25ft hand-painted ceilings, bold brass finishes and custom wood and leather furnishings. 

And the cocktail list is fantastic, along with the glassware. They’re worth the trip alone. 

Don’t miss: Visit ‘Edge’

Hudson Yards’ Edge, which calls itself the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere, is a 1,100-foot-high observation deck boasting a 360-degree view of NYC. 

Set on the west side of Manhattan it gives you a great skyline view – and you don’t need to get cold seeing it – they have a full indoor viewing deck. 

Time your visit around sunset and you can see beautiful views across the Hudson, including twilight reflections off the Freedom Tower and Empire State Building, as the city lights begin to flicker. 

For something festive try the bar’s (of course there’s a bar) ‘Cocoa in the Clouds’ hot chocolate layered with fresh, made-to-order whipped cream and topped with a Rice Krispie treat, coated in crushed peppermint. 

Pro tip: you can add the liquor of your choice to keep things moving nicely along. 

A kids’ paradise: Dylan’s

Also in Hudson Yards is this magical cross between Candy Land, Disney Land and Willy Wonka’s Factory. 

Dylan’s is an NYC landmark and a must-do for children and sweet-toothed adults. It is home to over 7,000 confections, including a huge variety of candies and candy-related gifts from around the world. 

It’s basically an edible museum of candy and every single treat has been carefully chosen and curated like art. 

There are several throughout the city but the Hudson Yards’ Dylan’s includes really charming candy-themed lifestyle products and an incredible dessert parlour and ice cream shop. Kids will be in heaven. 

The toasted marshmallow shake was worth the trip alone and the ice cream is very likely the best you will find in New York City. 

Now part of NYC folklore, the store has popped up in shows set in NYC such as Gossip Girl, Girls and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, so you can keep your cool cred with the teens, too. 

Where to stay: voco The Franklin New York

Affordable doesn’t have to mean less in NYC. And this hotel is a great example. 

A stylish, chic and smart boutique hotel, rates at Voco The Franklin New York run as low as £139 ($190) per night – which for NYC is fantastic. 

Following an extensive renovation, the 50-room hotel, originally built in 1930, now feels like a classic with contemporary touches. 

Our room was a trendy dark blue with modern art and crisp (and luxurious-feeling) white linens on the super-comfortable bed. 

What’s more, it’s conveniently located on Manhattan’s Upper East Side – there’s a Starbucks steps away, a Whole Foods around the corner and a top Reformer Pilates studio right across the street. 

It’s also close to attractions such as Museum Mile and Central Park. 

It offers free morning coffee to all guests, and an on-site restaurant will be opening soon. 

Where to stay: Peninsula Hotel – a modern classic

If you’re going to treat yourself for a stay, there’s nowhere better than The Peninsula hotel. As you step into the imposing lobby, you can tell that you’ve arrived someplace truly special. 

The vibe in-room feels completely modern (outlets and nifty tech abound) but ultra-elegant, stylish and refined at the same time. 

Amidst the plush linens, marble bath and private dining, there is smart lighting, surround sound and even a nail polish dryer on the bedside table. 

The location is ideal – an oasis of soundproofed silence right in the heart of New York on snazzy Fifth Avenue. 

Particularly worth noting is the hotel’s new ‘Peninsula Time’, which means you can check-in and check-out at any time you want. 

No more waiting around to check in – you can arrive as early as 6:00am on the day and check out as late as 10:00pm at no extra charge. 

Their new, eco-friendly, bespoke scented guest room amenities and guaranteed connecting rooms for families are also a really nice touch. 

Where to stay: Spoil yourself

Drop in at The Ritz-Carlton New York. This beautiful hotel is set within a historical building on the edge of Central Park and has been recently renovated, epitomising townhouse tranquillity. 

Don’t miss out on its newly reopened La Prairie Spa. Set downstairs it feels like you’ve entered a sanctuary and the skilled therapists here can literally transport you out of this world. 

Their varied range of treatments are all designed to be both therapeutic and results-oriented. Facials blend technology with decadent ingredients, and massages release tight muscles and stagnant energy.