Revealed: Nearly HALF of those from the North of England have never visited the USA

Nearly half of England’s Northerners have never visited the USA, despite over a third wanting to go, according to a new survey.

The poll, by Irish airline Aer Lingus, found that 35 per cent of people from the North of England would like to visit the USA. 

New York City is the top destination for Northerners wanting to head stateside, with 53 per cent saying it’s the U.S place they’d most like to visit. 

In second place is LA (30 per cent), followed by Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida (joint third, 29 per cent), and Miami (fourth, 22 per cent). 

The main activities in the U.S, according to those quizzed, are sightseeing (43 per cent), visiting theme parks (33 per cent) and exploring nature or national parks (26 per cent). 

When asked what they found most appealing about America, 37 per cent said the food and 30 per cent the weather. 

Fifty-eight per cent, meanwhile, said America made them feel ‘excited’, while 38 per cent said the country invoked a feeling of curiosity. 

The research also found that friendly customer service is the most vital part of a long-haul flight for Northern customers, with 94 per cent of respondents rating it their top priority on a transatlantic trip. 

Food and drink is next on the list, with 67 per cent ranking it as important on a transatlantic flight followed by ample leg room (59 per cent) and inflight entertainment (51 per cent). 

Aer Lingus flies to New York, Barbados and Florida direct from Manchester Airport. The airline also flies to 19 U.S destinations from Dublin Airport. 

Aer Lingus undertook the research, which heard views from 1,000 people from the North of England, as part of its ‘ambition to better understand its Northern customers’. 

Reid Moody, Chief Strategy and Planning Officer at Aer Lingus, said: ‘Aer Lingus has called Manchester home for the past three years and we’re always keen to hear more about our customers’ travel dreams and how we can better serve people in the North. 

‘America is very clearly on the map for many people’s travel wish lists and we’re really pleased to match this desire for more U.S connection with direct routes to New York and Florida from Manchester Airport, as well as seamless connections to new destinations like Nashville and Las Vegas through Dublin.’ 

New York City was the top destination for Northerners wanting to head to the USA, with 53 per cent saying it was the U.S place they’d most like to visit