By Carlos Barria
ABOARD AA 101, Nov 8 (Reuters) - In row 22 of a full
American Airlines flight from London to New York on
Monday morning, Christopher and Zoe Perrotton fastened their
seat belts.
AA 101 was preparing to take off from London's Heathrow
Airport, heading to New York after the United States on Monday
lifted https://www.reuters.com/world/us/international-travellers-head-united-states-flights-reopen-2021-11-08
travel restrictions slapped on much of the world as the
COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020.
The Perrottons, both British human resources executives,
were married last August, but had not been able to celebrate
yet. Just over eight hours later, they touched down at John F.
Kennedy International Airport on a sunny New York day.
"This is a bit of a mini honeymoon," said Christopher, 36,
as they landed. "America said they were going to open up, and we
thought on the off-chance we booked some flights to New York."
Their plan for six nights in the Big Apple? "Eating and
drinking as much we can," Christopher said with a smile at
baggage claim.
The travel ban https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-braces-surge-vaccinated-international-travelers-2021-11-07,
first imposed in early 2020, had barred access to most non-U.S.
citizens travelling from 33 countries - including China, India
and much of Europe - and had also restricted overland entry from
Mexico and Canada.
The United States lagged many other countries in its
decision to finally lift the travel curbs, made possible by the
rollout of coronavirus vaccines and critical to reviving tourism
around the globe.
Months of pent-up demand triggered a major spike in bookings
on Monday, with travelers required to show official proof of
vaccination and a recent, negative viral test.
Brad, a 34-year-old American who lives in England, was
waiting for his British partner Kelly, 33, to join him, after
he'd flown to the United States earlier to visit his parents.
Both gave only their first names.
Kelly, who had not travelled to the United States during the
pandemic at all, chided Brad about her flight experience.
"It was very busy," she told him at arrivals. "I kept
hearing how your flights were always empty!"
The flight was smooth, said British couple Jill and Stephen
Brownbill, who had crossed the Atlantic to meet their 9-week-old
grandson.
"We've waited so long for this," Stephen said after kissing
the little boy at arrivals as Jill held him. "Technology is an
amazing thing, but this – there's no comparison."
(Writing by Alexandra Ulmer, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)