The Promise of Open U.S.-UK Travel This Summer: Where Does It Stand?
Photo Credit: Tourists once again could throng St. Paul's if the U.S. and the UK establish a less-restrictive travel bubble this summer Flickr / Barnyz
Skift Take
The prospect of a transatlantic travel bubble between the U.S. and the UK has many travel industry leaders hopeful the summer season can be salvaged. But how a travel corridor may work and what proof of vaccinations will be required are details that have yet to be hammered out.
The prospect of a UK-U.S. travel corridor opening this summer just in time for the peak travel season has fueled even more optimism from travel leaders eager to avoid a second lost summer.
No firm plans have been revealed for a restriction-free travel corridor between the two countries, but U.S. airline executives say talks with the UK government have been productive. A corridor could open as early as June or July.
When that happens, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said "I think you're going to have a hard time finding a hotel room in the UK, because there's going to be so many people wanting to go."
Separately, European Commission President Ursula van der Leyen said Sunday that the European Union would allow U.S. travelers who have been vaccinated with an approved shot to enter the EU unconditionally, although she did not offer a timeline for when that may occur.
United reported that searches for flights to Europe rose 19 percent in the last week as travelers reacted to th
