Don’t worry “Miserable Monday” – the first day back at work for millions after the festive break – is nearly over. Did you help yourself get through the day by booking a holiday?
Searches for flights and holidays on ba.com soared as people looked for their next break in the sun.
Views on British Airways’ website jumped by 68 per cent, compared to the first day back at work last year, and reached their peak at 12.30pm, during lunchtime, as customers jumped on the internet after clearing their emails and catching up with colleagues to scour the airline’s schedules for flights and holiday packages. Top searches, which received the most views, were to popular destinations in the US, Canada and Asia.
Claire Bentley, MD of British Airways Holidays, said: “Almost everyone suffers a ‘Miserable Monday’ being back at work for the first time after being off during Christmas and New Year so inevitably thoughts turn to summer holidays.
“We know lots of people are mulling over places to fly and go on holiday to and have looked at lots of fantasy flights and holidays before they finally commit to a favourite destination and secure their holiday break away. By offering to hold flights with a deposit of just £5 a person, we can give customers time to confirm arrangements with family and friends, making it even easier to book with confidence.
“And with our sale in full fight, we’ve also got loads of great offers for holidaymakers with prices starting from as little as £129 per person for a two-night break in Rome or Barcelona and a week’s holiday in Barbados or Orlando in a three star hotel is available from just £499 per person.”
Top 5 most searched return flights:
- Boston (above) from £506
- Washington from £566
- Chicago from £526
- Montreal from £479
- Kuala Lumpar from £567
Top 5 most searched holiday destinations:
- New York
- Orlando
- Rome
- Barbados
- Barcelona
European destinations were also in more demand this year with searches significantly up for Amsterdam, Berlin, Malta, Milan, Mykonos, Nice, Naples, Prague and Paris. The BA sale runs until midnight, January 27.
Natasha Lee, of travel specialist letsgo2.com said: “This is always a key time for sun-starved British holidaymakers to seek out and secure a bargain, and this past week we’ve seen enquiries for the Caribbean and Far East increase three-fold, with Barbados proving especially popular due to great prices and the new Sandals resort. Bookings to Cuba are up – perhaps due to the recent announcement that relations between the island and the USA are changing, and Dubai endures in popularity for long weekend shopping trips and some much needed warm weather.”
