Brexit is still being negotiated, but the U.K.’s departure from the European Union will undoubtedly have a ripple effect around the world. One issue bringing the reality of Brexit into focus for Americans is travel: Almost 4 million of us visited Great Britain in 2017, the highest number in nearly two decades. And some 12 percent used the U.K. as a springboard for travel to mainland Europe.
But there's bad news, too: As part of its membership in the EU, Britain had an open skies agreement with the rest of Europe. Many airlines began to offer cheap, plentiful flights from the U.K. into mainland Europe—perfect for Americans on a budget who wanted to see a lot of the continent. It’s not yet clear what new deal will be arranged: Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary warned the European Parliament that a no-deal Brexit could cause flights between the U.K.
Although it’s in everyone’s best interests to hash out a smooth agreement, the EU might be hesitant to give Britain an easy ride."It’s challenging because it is more fraught with the traditional politics and emotions that have colored the Brexit talks," Airlines for America’s Sean Kennedy told Politico.
The threat of checkpoint chaos has travelers extremely worried, especially if they’re traveling soon after the U.K. finally leaves the EU. How Will Brexit Affect Hotel Costs? Brexit will tighten the reins on cheap foreign hotel labor, with costs passed on to guests. Photo by Nik Lanús on Unsplash