Synchronised flights leave Heathrow as US reopens its borders to UK travellers
Rival airlines British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have operated a synchronised departure from Heathrow to celebrate the end of the US travel ban for fully vaccinated passengers from the UK.
The lifting of the restrictions brings to an end almost two years of coronavirus restrictions.
The two flights took off from parallel runways at the airport in west London this morning before heading to JFK in New York.
Thousands of travellers will now be able to jet off on transatlantic flights for long-awaited reunions with family and friends.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was a "significant moment" as transatlantic travel has "long been at the heart of UK aviation".
It is the end of restrictions first imposed by former President Donald Trump at the start of the pandemic, which saw visitors banned from dozens of countries.
However, travellers must be fully jabbed and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of entering the country.
Entry requirements
Passengers must be fully vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organisation or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Accepted vaccines are: AstraZeneca, BIBP/Sinopharm, Covishield, Janssen, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech and Sinovac.
People who received a full series of a vaccine - not a placebo - during trials for AstraZeneca or Novavax are also considered vaccinated.
The US will accept the NHS COVID-19 pass as sufficient proof.
Travellers must have a negative COVID-19 test within three days of their flight departure.
The only exceptions to the vaccination requirements are US citizens, US nationals, US lawful permanent residents and children under the age of 18.
Exempt passengers must show a negative coronavirus test taken one day prior, or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the last three months.
After entering the US
Fully vaccinated travellers do not have to quarantine, but they are recommended to take a test within the first three to five days of arrival - unless they have documentation showing they have recovered from the virus within the last three months.
Children are also exempt from quarantine but must take a test within three to five days.
Those allowed to enter the US unvaccinated must take a test within three to five days and self-quarantine for seven days after arrival.
Anyone staying longer than 60 days must become fully vaccinated unless medically exempt or too young.
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