We wish you a new fun week! It is Monday today and that means in the usual order sources here at Freedomtravel. This week it is about hot big cities for autumn, length -esta compensation and scary airports … Keep good!
The use of generative AI travelers is increasing considerably 2025
For many, traveling is a source of excitement and expectation, and a new worldwide report from Amadeus shows how travelers turn to technology, in particular AI, to improve their journey and eliminate problems and friction in the process. The study shows that:
- The use of generative AI to inspire and book is increasing with nearly two -thirds.
- 64 % are willing to use an AI travel assistant for information and bookings during the trip and is willing to pay 5.2 % of the travel costs to do this.
- 25 % of travelers report frustrations when using generative AI.
The most booked large cities of autumn
The booking statistics of this fall at TUI show that the Swedes are looking for European big cities that combine with relaxation. Here are the most booked large cities in TUI this fall:
- Barcelona, Spain
- Rome, Italy
- London, UK
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Istanbul, Turkey
The following major cities are the most increased compared to last year (based on the booking figures of TUI):
- Barcelona (+47 %)
- Stockholm (+ 37 %)
- Palermo (+ 28 %)
- Dublin (+ 17 %)
- London (+ 13 %)
The ESTA compensation is doubled
From 30 September the reimbursement for ESTA will be increased from $ 21 to 40. According to booking statistics from the Travel Agency Ticket, the trips to the United States have fallen by around 22 percent this year compared to the same period last year. New York is still the most booked destinations of the Sweden in the United States, but even there the bookings are supported – by almost 17 percent.
ESTA (electronic travel authorization system) is a mandatory travel permit for anyone traveling during the Visa Waiver program. The reason for the increase is that parts of the reimbursement are used to finance American tourist promotion activities.
Searches for us are increasing large cities during the fall
Fresh data from Momondo show a revival in September-October flights to both New York and Las Vegas, compared to July-August. The searches for New York have risen by 57 percent and the search for Las Vegas has risen by 87 percent. At the same time, air prices for both New York and Las Vegas have fallen by 21 and 15 percent respectively.
This means that Sweden can fly to New York for approximately SEK 4,500, and to Las Vegas for just more than SEK 5,300. At the same time, the United States has announced an increase in the ESTA allowance, which means that the access costs are doubled.
Norwegian launches direct flights to Milan, Hamburg and Tirana
Norwegian continues to develop the line network and launches direct flights to Milan and Hamburg from Stockholm Arlanda and to Tirana from Gothenburg Landfetter. The new lines are operated during the summer months 2026, but can be booked today.
Norwegian is also launching new lines in both Denmark and Norway. At the beginning of September, the SO -announced basic program for the summer season was released in 2026, which means that it is possible to book airline tickets to more than 120 destinations in 38 countries.
- Stockholm – Milano Starts May 13, 2026 (4 times/week)
- Stockholm – Hamburg Starts May 13, 2026 (4 times/week)
- Gothenburg – Tirana Begins 19 June 2026 (1 time/week)
- Copenhagen – Cluj Begins 28 June 2026 (2 times/week)
- Oslo – Palermo Starts June 20, 2026 (2 times/week)
- Oslo – Tanger Starts June 22, 2026 (1 time/week)
- Bergen – Riga Starts March 31, 2026 (2 times/week)
- Bergen – Palanga Starts March 31, 2026 (2 times/week)
New Index reveals the most frightening airports in Europe
A new ranking has mentioned the 10 European airports the most
They probably cause air, not because of security shortages, but because of stress factors such as steep approaches, side winds, difficult runways or dramatic views.
Passengers’ Unenense & Real-World exposure (Pure) Index, developed by flight analysts at AirRadVisor, is the first score model to combine technical flight data with sensory factors that are known to increase the fear of flights. Europe’s 10 most frightening airports for nervous travelers:
- Funchal/Madeira (Portugal) – 88/100
- Gibraltar (British Territory) – 84/100
- Innsbruck (Austria) – 83/100
- London city (VK) – 81/100
- Vágar/Faroe Islands (Denmark) – 79/100
- Keeflavik (Island) – 76/100
- Skiathos (Greece) – 75/100
- Santorini (Greece) – 72/100
- Mykonos (Greece) – 70/100
- Tenerife North (Spain, Canary Islands) – 68/100
This week’s reflection
The press release from the ticket is talking about reduced trips to the United States, while the Momondo press release speaks about increased interest in the United States. But then you have to take that ticket into account compared to last year, while Momondo compares summer and autumn, which is just two different seasons …
Did you miss the last reserves? Read Oktoberfest, Ghost Walk and the best hotel in Sweden
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