Elvis less lonesome as US reopens to British travellers

THE Empire State Building will be lit up red white and blue today to welcome back Britons to the United States, as America reopens its borders to vaccinated travellers.

After a travel ban which has lasted more than 600 days, families will be reunited and business will be kickstarted as airports plan large celebrations for the first flights back across the Atlantic.

For the first time, British Airways and Virgin will have a synchronised departure on parallel runways at Heathrow, after passengers enjoy entertainment in the terminal including an Elvis impersonator. British Airways flight BA001, a flight number previously reserved for Concorde, and Virgin Atlantic flight VS3, operating on A350 aircraft, will leave London Heathrow for New York

JFK at 8.30am. They are expected to be greeted by Kathy Hochul, New York’s governor, as the planes touch down just after 11am local time.

The reopening also marks “a significant moment for the aviation sector”, said Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, recognising that major airlines have suffered huge losses while not being able to operate transatlantic routes at full capacity. “I’m delighted to see flights return in time for Thanksgiving and Christmas,” he said. “These vitally important flight routes will help boost the economy, protect and create British jobs and through the work of the Jet Zero Council help to build back greener.”

Sean Doyle, British Airways chairman and chief executive, said: “After more than 600 days of separation, today is our moment to celebrate the UK-US reopening.”