Passengers willing to fly further for perfect getaway

Passengers are willing to fly further in search of the perfect getaway, according to new research from Thomson and First Choice.

3 in 4 (77 per cent) are now happy to travel nine hours or more to reach their dream destination, with 89 per cent of those survey now travelling long-haul at least one every five years, reveals the research.

The holiday brands commissioned the study just as they announce new long-haul destinations, including Sri Lanka, on the 787 Dreamliner. Thomson and First Choice have seen a 350 per cent increase in long-haul passengers in the last 10 years, with an 800 per cent increase in family bookings alone.

Direct flights to Costa Rica have also been announced, while new destinations such as Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Mauritius and Thailand have appeared in the top 10 long-haul destinations for 2015, compared to 10 years ago when destinations such as the Dominican Republic and Florida dominated bookings.