It’s May 17, 2021. A date that will remain embedded in British travel history.
The day we could legally travel freely again - to a handful of quarantine free Green list countries.
I’m the first in the queue for British Airways flight BA500 to Lisbon, Portugal departing at 0730.
Despite it being only 0630am I don’t care.
I’m excited to be flying again and it actually feels quite a privilege.
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Like travel used to feel.
British Airways’ dedicated Heathrow Terminal Five is considerably quieter than usual but I still feel that buzz of anticipation amongst the few passengers striding purposefully towards their gates.
Security queues were non existent.
In Duty Free, people are browsing the re-stocked make up stands, buying their cheap cigarettes and Toblerone.
Pret a Manger was largely empty, as was Boots; a marked difference to the normal interminable long lines.
Covid-19 precautions such as social distancing signs on seats and one-way systems around the larger stores remind us this is the new normal.
Sarah, from Portugal, lives in London said: “I’m going to see my family for the first time in nine months.
"Now that Portugal is on the Green list it is much easier”.
Rebecca, also from London was travelling to Lisbon to see her boyfriend.
“We’re having a holiday and going to spend a little time in the city before heading to the beach.
"I booked it a month ago and I’m so excited about getting away”.
Despite everyone wearing a mask, the excitement onboard was palpable.
Clicking the seatbelt closed, even enjoying the safety demonstration, the roar of take off was reassuringly familiar.
There was also that extra reassurance knowing that everyone on board had tested negative .
Getting to this point, however had taken some doing.
Gone are the days of merely downloading or printing a boarding card and heading out the door.
In this new Covid-world, check-in is far more complicated.
Three tests have be booked in order to travel and all must show a negative result.
They are also a little pricey: PCR 72 hours prior to departure (£99), Rapid Test (£29) and a post-arrival test Day 2 £99.
Landing in Lisbon, tv crews were there to greet us.
The Portuguese were clearly as excited as we are about the re-opening of travel and welcoming Brits again.
Today they were expecting six flights from the UK.
Nothing however, could top an emotional reunion - and introduction - in the arrivals hall.
Natasha and Miguel Rodrigues, from Farnborough had travelled to Lisbon to introduce their seven-month old son Garbriel, to Granpa Joaquim and Auntie Anna.
It that isn’t a good enough reason to open travel again, I’m not sure what is.
