Transatlantic Travel Surges Between the US and Europe

In case you needed a reason to believe that travel has bounced back after the pandemic, Trip.com, shows how transatlantic travel has taken off between the US and UK. In the year since the US re-opened its borders to international global travelers, the international one-stop travel service provider has seen a travel boom, when comparing booking stats from October 2021 to October 2022.

Trip.com’s findings show a 382% increase in British travelers booking US hotels during the 12 months, while there has been a 111% increase in US travelers booking hotels in Europe. Meanwhile, flight bookings from Europe to the US have increased by 67%, indicating the appeal of the US as a top travel destination as well as revived demand for long-haul travel.

“The US has bounced back to resume its place as one of the most popular destinations for UK travelers according to the analysis of Trip.com data,” said Andy Washington, general manager of Trip.com Group EMEA. “Despite the drop in the value of the pound compared to the US dollar, America continues to attract Brits in large numbers eager to explore North America and reunite with friends and families.”

And on the other side of the Atlantic, travelers in the US are making more plans to visit European countries, including the UK. “European destinations have become attractive for US holidaymakers and business travelers looking to cash in on favorable exchange rates,” said Rich Sun, general manager for the Americas for Trip.com.

In addition to the jump in flight bookings, the average booking value of flights from Europe to the US has increased by 20% since October 2021.

Flights from London, Paris, Milan, Madrid, and Barcelona to New York City were some of the top-performing routes from Europe to the US. The Manchester (UK) to New York route was the sixth most popular booked flight route between Europe and the US.

Over a third of travelers booking flights from Europe to the US came from the UK (39%), followed by Spain in second place (17%), Italy in third place (14%), followed in fourth place by France (12%), and Germany in fifth (11%).

Trip.com’s booking data also shows that in addition to NYC, European travelers are flocking to Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orlando.  

More booking highlights:

• On average, each month in the last year has seen an 18% rise in Brits booking US hotels. 

• Not surprisingly, New York City was the most popular city for British travelers booking hotels, with Las Vegas, LA, Orlando, and Miami rounding out the top five “booked” cities.
  
• On the flip side, the UK was the most popular European country for hotel and flight bookings by US travelers.

• Paris was the most popular European destination for US travelers booking hotels with London and Rome in second and third place!