The US is marking its Plan A Solo Vacation Day on 01 Mar and to celebrate United Airlines has shared data on the burgeoning solo travel sector.
Google searches for ‘solo travel’ skyrocketed 223% in the past decade, and solo flyers took 5% more trips with UA in 2024 year-on-year says the airline. UA says Jan-May is the most popular time for solo travel, although the carrier also noted spikes Sep-Nov. More Travellers Are Flying Solo Younger generations lead the trend, with 70% on Gen Z flying solo, followed by Millennials at 65%. That’s not to say it’s limited to the younger ones, with some 57% of Boomers flying solo. As for where they are going, the answer is pretty much everywhere. UA’s data shows the most popular international destinations for solo travel being China, Korea, Brazil, India and Nigeria.
. . . Top Tips
UA has a few tips for those considering a solo journey, with the first being safety. Those traveling solo are urged to be aware of their surroundings, research the destination ahead of time and avoid areas that are unsafe, and consider sharing your location with loved ones. It also recommends being open minded, to learn basic customs and greetings prior to departure, have an itinerary with some flexibility, and saving on international phone data by researching and downloading any apps before leaving home.
