London Luton Airport (LLA) reveals its annual 2025 travel trend predictions, uncovering insights from a survey of 2,000 UK adults1 about their evolving holiday habits.
From AI-powered getaways to nostalgia-fuelled adventures, the UK’s simplest and friendliest airport reveals five new travel trends that are helping pave the way for holidaymakers for the year ahead.
London Luton Airport’s 2025 UK Travel Trends:
DON’T LOOK BACK – WANDER
Reuniting with family through meaningful adventures
Reconnecting with family is always rewarding, and if the Gallaghers can do it, there’s no excuse not to follow suit. In 2025, one in five (21%) of holidaymakers are planning trips to visit long-lost relatives, while 74% say they’re open to travelling with extended family for a bonding experience.
With seven in 10 (71%) believing shared holiday and travel experiences can improve, or even heal relationships, and 67% admitting that it’s a meaningful way to reconnect even after years of separation, holidays aren’t solely about the destination. In search of unforgettable shared memories, over half (55%) of travellers now prioritise family reconnection over solo journeys – family adventures are back. Whether it’s a road trip to explore cultural roots (70%), or a trip to celebrate a special occasion (80%), these trips are for rediscovering the ties that bind.
FLYROX
For endurance athletes, the world is their arena
A new wave of fitness-driven travellers will take to the skies in 2025, with over a quarter (26%) planning to travel for fitness competitions three times this year. Blending a love of sport with adventure, 24% are travelling to locations they would otherwise not consider visiting, and over one in three (34%) are going abroad to meet new people with similar sporting interests. These endurance enthusiasts are redefining what it means to ‘holiday’.
From football (49%) and rugby (20%) matches, to marathons (35%), triathlons (17%), and Hyrox competitions (9%), a quarter (25%) of respondents say the prospect of competing abroad makes them more eager to participate. For these modern gladiators, every destination becomes an endurance arena – a chance to push limits, embrace resilience, and combine overseas travel with a test of grit and determination. With connections to over 130 destinations* across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, London Luton Airport is ready to take fitness enthusiasts international.
REAL ROAMING
Disconnect to reconnect with cultural immersion
Travellers are saying goodbye to Wi-Fi and hello to genuine cultural connection and immersion in 2025, with nearly three in five (59%) planning to limit phone usage during holidays. By spending an average of over two and a half (2.6) hours less on their devices per day, these ‘Real Roamers’ are embracing the joy of being truly present.
Gone are the days of scrolling for restaurant reviews, 56% enjoy the prospect of organically discovering places to dine in, letting curiosity guide their journey. Holidaymakers are prioritising living in the moment (41%); 44% feel more relaxed when disconnected, and 48% are determined not to let social media distract them from immersing themselves in cultural experiences.
It’s time to swap Facetime for face-to-face encounters and savour each sight and sound, rediscovering the art of immersive travel.
SCENE SEEKING
Nostalgia meets wanderlust
With blockbuster remakes and much anticipated sequels, like Karate Kid: Legends or Jurassic World Rebirth, set to hit screens in 2025, film fans want to relive old school movie magic in real time – nearly half (49%) want to visit places from their favourite childhood films and 39% are looking to head off on a classic movie inspired getaway. This is more than just seeing iconic film sets; it’s a gateway into timeless locations and a chance to visit places that have become cultural touchpoints.
Destinations topping the list of where travellers have been inspired by cinematic wonder include the romantic destinations of Italy (42%) and France (31%) where flyers can relive the romance of Moulin Rouge in Paris or Romeo and Juliet in fair Verona.
However, it’s not just films spurring destination choice in 2025, people are chasing TV nostalgia, two in five (40%) are box-set enthusiasts, planning their holiday destinations around much-loved TV series. Northern Ireland is gaining traction, with a quarter (25%) of respondents wanting to visit after watching the much-loved comedy Derry Girls, and a Game of Thrones getaway in Croatia is on the cards for 25% of travellers.
AI-TINERARY
AI takes the guesswork out of spontaneous travel
For the more tech-savvy traveller, last minute getaways just got easier, with over half (54%) of holidaymakers now using AI-powered tools to plan trips. Travellers are saving time (35%), getting inspiration for destinations (27%), and finding the best value for their travel desires (26%) all delivered instantly by the power of AI.
Instead of trawling through social media, travel websites and guidebooks, holidaymakers can now simply pack a bag, book a flight and let technology handle the rest. Whether you are looking for a quick weekend adventure or a spontaneous escape, travellers are using AI to discover destinations they may not have otherwise considered (58%), and for last minute recommendations for local excursions (37%).
Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport says, “London Luton Airport is gearing up for an exciting 2025 and we are thrilled to see our departure boards showing even more routes and destinations for passengers to choose from. From the day-to-day conversations we have with passengers, it’s clear to see that for many people, travel is so much more than an opportunity to visit a new place. It’s also an opportunity to connect with new cultures, broaden perspectives, revisit memories and enrich your life in a number of ways. Whether it’s families reuniting, sport and fitness fans chasing new personal challenges, or scene seekers travelling to iconic TV and movie locations, we will be working hard to provide a warm welcome and a simple and friendly passenger experience to get their journeys off to a flying start in 2025.”
If ‘Scene Seeking,’ ‘Real Roaming’ or ‘AI-tinerary’ sounds like your ideal getaway – or if you’re intrigued by any of these exciting new travel trends – visit London-Luton.co.uk to start planning your 2025 adventure. Discover destinations, check out new routes and let London Luton Airport take you where the trends lead.
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