Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Apr 26th 2021, 11:54 pm
#31
Furby
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Posts: 874
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
I hope so. I just pushed back a trip to Italy in late May this year, to May 2022, and it was originally scheduled for May 2020 😬. I suspect things will start to open up about July but who knows what restrictions will be in place regarding moving about so pulled the plug. Fingers crossed for everybody that it is sooner than later.
Apr 27th 2021, 12:17 am
#32
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Joined: Jan 2016
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 239
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
and here is me in the process of booking flights to the UK for June, as taking the risk that restrictions will be more flexible by then and want to get something booked before prices start to rise.
Apr 27th 2021, 2:54 pm
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 110
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
My mum has flights booked for June 18th so we have everything crossed! 
Apr 30th 2021, 1:07 pm
#34
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Joined: Jan 2017
Location: Nottingham UK to Boston MA to Orlando FL
Posts: 185
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
My in-laws have flights booked from Heathrow to Orlando on May 17th. These are flights they've had with Virgin since before the pandemic which keeps getting pushed back and back as the flights get canceled.
However, the past few times have seen Virgin cancel the flights between 4-6 weeks out. We're currently only 3 weeks out and haven't heard anything yet which tells me that the airline is optimistic that this flight can go ahead.
However, the past few times have seen Virgin cancel the flights between 4-6 weeks out. We're currently only 3 weeks out and haven't heard anything yet which tells me that the airline is optimistic that this flight can go ahead.
Apr 30th 2021, 1:27 pm
#35
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,542
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
I suspect airlines will go on doing this until at least May 10 or whenever it is that the UK government has undertaken to provide more plans regarding international travel. Biden is still blocking the arrival of Brits to the US, and the UK still has strict limits and rules, so until an arrangement is agreed there we are all a bit stuck I think.
Apr 30th 2021, 1:51 pm
#36
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,022
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
I suspect airlines will go on doing this until at least May 10 or whenever it is that the UK government has undertaken to provide more plans regarding international travel. Biden is still blocking the arrival of Brits to the US, and the UK still has strict limits and rules, so until an arrangement is agreed there we are all a bit stuck I think.
Apr 30th 2021, 7:33 pm
#37
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Many people don't realize they have a right to a refund in the event the airline cancels the flight. So, yeah, it's a good way to help cash flow.
May 1st 2021, 2:07 pm
#38
Joined: Aug 2003
Location: East Seaxe
Posts: 72,542
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
That makes sense. We are currently holding two tickets worth of Aer Lingus flights from the failed Christmas trip by my son and his gf.
May 1st 2021, 4:40 pm
#39
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Location: Sleepy Hollow, New York
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Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
We’ve just booked flights to the UK for September this year. Hoping it happens!
May 2nd 2021, 4:22 am
#40
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 128
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Just confirming this is correct....At the moment to go to the UK from US and back, as a US citizen:
(a) Book two tests/testing package in the UK for days 2 and 8, well ahead of time, using this website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/provider...ional-arrivals (approx cost 200GDP) and, if you optionally want to shorten the quarantine, book a day 5 "test to release" test (couldn't find cost but probably also around 200?) from this list of providers: https://assets.publishing.service.go...21.csv/preview
(b) Book another test three days before departure to the US (approx. cost 120GDP) [unless day 8 of the your trip is also within three days of departure, in which case the same test would presumably suffice?]
(b) Take a test that "meets performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml." no more than three days before departure from US to UK. It seems like this could be found for free e.g. the IDNow Rapid diagnostic test at Walgreens looks like it fulfills the UK requirements, and promises return within 24 hrs; or to be really safe pay around $200 for rapid test at e.g. airport
(c) Present test results, fly, arrive and head straight to quarantine location.
(d) Complete the day 2 and 8 test (and, if booked,, the "test to release" test)
(e) Take a test within three days of departure to the US.
So in terms of cost, it is probably about $400-$600 of tests, right? Even if restrictions and quarantine times are lessened later in May, I'm presuming testing will still be required, and it still seems there is going to be a considerable extra cost for the foreseeable future?
(It is, of course, somewhat ironic in this scenario that only bit of free healthcare would seem to be provided by the US private pharmacy...)
(a) Book two tests/testing package in the UK for days 2 and 8, well ahead of time, using this website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/provider...ional-arrivals (approx cost 200GDP) and, if you optionally want to shorten the quarantine, book a day 5 "test to release" test (couldn't find cost but probably also around 200?) from this list of providers: https://assets.publishing.service.go...21.csv/preview
(b) Book another test three days before departure to the US (approx. cost 120GDP) [unless day 8 of the your trip is also within three days of departure, in which case the same test would presumably suffice?]
(b) Take a test that "meets performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml." no more than three days before departure from US to UK. It seems like this could be found for free e.g. the IDNow Rapid diagnostic test at Walgreens looks like it fulfills the UK requirements, and promises return within 24 hrs; or to be really safe pay around $200 for rapid test at e.g. airport
(c) Present test results, fly, arrive and head straight to quarantine location.
(d) Complete the day 2 and 8 test (and, if booked,, the "test to release" test)
(e) Take a test within three days of departure to the US.
So in terms of cost, it is probably about $400-$600 of tests, right? Even if restrictions and quarantine times are lessened later in May, I'm presuming testing will still be required, and it still seems there is going to be a considerable extra cost for the foreseeable future?
(It is, of course, somewhat ironic in this scenario that only bit of free healthcare would seem to be provided by the US private pharmacy...)
Last edited by classicmds; May 2nd 2021 at 4:24 am.
May 2nd 2021, 7:52 pm
#41
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 470
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Just confirming this is correct....At the moment to go to the UK from US and back, as a US citizen:
(a) Book two tests/testing package in the UK for days 2 and 8, well ahead of time, using this website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/provider...ional-arrivals (approx cost 200GDP) and, if you optionally want to shorten the quarantine, book a day 5 "test to release" test (couldn't find cost but probably also around 200?) from this list of providers: https://assets.publishing.service.go...21.csv/preview
(b) Book another test three days before departure to the US (approx. cost 120GDP) [unless day 8 of the your trip is also within three days of departure, in which case the same test would presumably suffice?]
(b) Take a test that "meets performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml." no more than three days before departure from US to UK. It seems like this could be found for free e.g. the IDNow Rapid diagnostic test at Walgreens looks like it fulfills the UK requirements, and promises return within 24 hrs; or to be really safe pay around $200 for rapid test at e.g. airport
(c) Present test results, fly, arrive and head straight to quarantine location.
(d) Complete the day 2 and 8 test (and, if booked,, the "test to release" test)
(e) Take a test within three days of departure to the US.
So in terms of cost, it is probably about $400-$600 of tests, right? Even if restrictions and quarantine times are lessened later in May, I'm presuming testing will still be required, and it still seems there is going to be a considerable extra cost for the foreseeable future?
(It is, of course, somewhat ironic in this scenario that only bit of free healthcare would seem to be provided by the US private pharmacy...)
(a) Book two tests/testing package in the UK for days 2 and 8, well ahead of time, using this website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/provider...ional-arrivals (approx cost 200GDP) and, if you optionally want to shorten the quarantine, book a day 5 "test to release" test (couldn't find cost but probably also around 200?) from this list of providers: https://assets.publishing.service.go...21.csv/preview
(b) Book another test three days before departure to the US (approx. cost 120GDP) [unless day 8 of the your trip is also within three days of departure, in which case the same test would presumably suffice?]
(b) Take a test that "meets performance standards of ≥97% specificity, ≥80% sensitivity at viral loads above 100,000 copies/ml." no more than three days before departure from US to UK. It seems like this could be found for free e.g. the IDNow Rapid diagnostic test at Walgreens looks like it fulfills the UK requirements, and promises return within 24 hrs; or to be really safe pay around $200 for rapid test at e.g. airport
(c) Present test results, fly, arrive and head straight to quarantine location.
(d) Complete the day 2 and 8 test (and, if booked,, the "test to release" test)
(e) Take a test within three days of departure to the US.
So in terms of cost, it is probably about $400-$600 of tests, right? Even if restrictions and quarantine times are lessened later in May, I'm presuming testing will still be required, and it still seems there is going to be a considerable extra cost for the foreseeable future?
(It is, of course, somewhat ironic in this scenario that only bit of free healthcare would seem to be provided by the US private pharmacy...)
May 2nd 2021, 8:15 pm
#42
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
May 2nd 2021, 10:49 pm
#43
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Joined: Aug 2010
Location: NYC
Posts: 470
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Hi how does the quarantine work? I am considering a trip late September Tampa to Gatwick, ultimately Bristol. Flights today at $700 seem ok. Are flights being cancelled due to restrictions, or lack of bookings. Will I have to stay in a gatwick hotel or stay at my dads in Bristol?(its his 80th birthday). I am fully vaccinated as of april 30 and willing to pay for the required tests, it s the quarantine makes it a no go!
The duration is 10 days but you can cut it down to 5 days with a fifth test booked and paid for (it’s called Test to Release).
There’s an expectation that the UK government will mirror CDC policy in that fully vaccinated passengers need not to self-isolate. However, this may take months as the current UK policy is to discourage international travel as much as possible.
May 3rd 2021, 12:58 am
#44
BE Irregular
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Tampa Bay Florida
Posts: 4,849
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
As of today, you have to self-isolate (no government-mandated hotel quarantine) when traveling from the US to the UK (assuming you were in the US for 14 days prior to travel).
The duration is 10 days but you can cut it down to 5 days with a fifth test booked and paid for (it’s called Test to Release).
There’s an expectation that the UK government will mirror CDC policy in that fully vaccinated passengers need not to self-isolate. However, this may take months as the current UK policy is to discourage international travel as much as possible.
The duration is 10 days but you can cut it down to 5 days with a fifth test booked and paid for (it’s called Test to Release).
There’s an expectation that the UK government will mirror CDC policy in that fully vaccinated passengers need not to self-isolate. However, this may take months as the current UK policy is to discourage international travel as much as possible.
May 3rd 2021, 1:57 am
#45
Forum Regular
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 128
Re: Current Travel Situation UK to USA?
Relevant government page says "It is illegal to leave the UK from England without a reasonable excuse". Reasonable excuses are funerals, weddings, education, work -- but not just visits. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...ational-travel
Last edited by classicmds; May 3rd 2021 at 2:00 am.