After 20 months of restrictions, the U.S. has reopened its international borders for non-essential travelers. However, international travelers will need to be fully immunized. Some states may impose local restrictions.
Welcoming international travelers from 33 countries
Non-U.S. citizens, who had been in 33 countries (including Brazil, China and India, Iran), South Africa, Ireland, Ireland, South Africa, South Africa, South Africa, Ireland, Iran, Ireland, South Africa within the last 14 days before departing, were allowed to open their international borders. Over 50% of international travelers to the United States came from these 33 countries in 2019.
The U.S. expects a huge increase in international visitors to their airlines. They have increased flights to Europe and other countries that were affected by the restrictions. The last few weeks have seen an enormous increase in international point of sale bookings for airlines. Numerous airlines hosted special events where executives met with some of the first flight attendants on Monday.
22 Daily flights to London are being announced for 2022
1 Boston
1 Los Angeles
2 Denver
2 Houston
3 Chicago
3 San Francisco
3 Washington Dulles
7 New York/Newark
Ok, let's go https://t.co/4Jcmk0Kbvr pic.twitter.com/DyphDCY90I -- United Airlines (@united) October 28, 2021
Vaccination is key
International visitors must be fully vaccinated using the vaccine recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. When traveling with vaccinated adults, children under 18 years old are exempted from the requirement for vaccination.
All travelers should have digital and paper proof of vaccination. The documentation will be checked by the airline concerned. The United States approved COVID-19 vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca. These vaccines can be mixed if they are taken within 17 days.
Test for mandatory negative COVID-19
A negative COVID-19 test is required for all air travelers aged 2 years or older. The test should be completed no more than 72 hours before departure.
A negative COVID-19 test must be taken by unvaccinated U.S. citizens as well as international travelers exempted from the vaccine requirement. This should be done 24 hours before departure. Positive results from COVID-19 tests must be submitted by those who have been vaccinated in the past 90 days.
Local restrictions still in effect
While international travelers who have been vaccinated are allowed to travel to the United States, there are still restrictions in some states. Some states, such as Hawaii, Illinois and New Mexico, Nevada or Oregon, have a mask requirement.
Similar restrictions are in effect in certain states, major cities, and indoor public areas.
Top 5 Airlines
Due to increased demand, airlines have increased their flight frequency. There are approximately 1,550 weekly flights between the U.S.A. and Europe. These are the top five airlines that have the most flights this week.
United Airlines: 236 Flying Flights
British Airways: 183 Flying
Delta Air Lines: 165 Flights
Lufthansa: 138 flights
American Airlines: 119 Flying Flights
Top 5 Routes
It's no surprise that New York JFK is the first to London Heathrow. Three of the top five remaining routes depart or land from JFK and Heathrow. These are the top five routes for this week.
New York JFK-London Heathrow : 87 flights
New York JFK to Paris CDG: 44 flights
Los Angeles-Heathrow: 38 Flights
Atlanta-Paris CDG: 28 flights
Boston-Heathrow: 28 Flights
Source: Cirrum
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic Celebrate with a Historic Twin Take-Off
Virgin Atlantic and British Airways celebrated the opening of the U.S. Border with a spectacular double departure from Heathrow Airport. To celebrate, both airlines put aside rivalries and operated a historic twin takeoff from London Heathrow.
To celebrate, both Virgin Atlantic flight VS3 and British Airways flight BA1 simultaneously left Heathrow bound for New York JFK around 08:30. British Airways only used its most well-respected flight number for the occasion. Both flights were operated by Airbus A350-1000s.
#COVID19: Virgin Atlantic and British Airways take off together in order to signify the return of flights into the USA for the double jabbed
Read more on this story https://t.co/UeaMZzjl7Q pic.twitter.com/kZ3GHbsaMy -- Sky News (@SkyNews) November 8, 2021
Sean Doyle, British Airways CEO and Chairman, commented on the reopening U.S. borders for international travelers.
"After 600 days of separation, today's our time to celebrate the UK-US opening. To celebrate the vitality of the transatlantic corridor, we're putting aside rivalries and will see British Airways and Virgin Atlantic aircraft take-off together for the first time. Transatlantic connectivity is essential for the U.K.’s economic recovery.
Shai Weiss, Virgin Atlantic's Chief Executive, also stated that it was time to celebrate and not rivalrly say.
Today is a day for celebration and not rivalry. We are proud to celebrate today's significant milestone with British Airways. This allows both consumers and businesses to travel with confidence.
The U.S. has been our home for over 37 years and we can't imagine living without it. We have been steadily increasing our flights to popular destinations such as Boston, New York and Los Angeles, and we cannot wait to fly our customers to their favorite U.S. cities so they can reconnect with family and friends.
The Chief Executive Officer of Delta Air Lines, Ed Bastian, warned travelers to expect long lines at first. Bastian stated that the first few flights will be slow and sloppy. Unfortunately, I can guarantee you that there will be lines. It will be sorted."
This morning, @HeathrowAirport coordinated takeoff marking the reopening the US! The weather was kind! #Avgeek pic.twitter.com/zFgYkiB2Hn -- James Oates (@speedbird_uk) November 8, 2021
Cover image: James Oates/Twitter
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