Orlando, New York, Dubai - holidaying families set to escape the February freeze this half term

Plummeting temperatures and thoughts of sunshine-filled getaways often go hand in hand. According to British Airways (BA) families across the UK are set to make a mass exodus abroad this half term, motivated by a desire to escape the February freeze.

The airline revealed that its busiest days for travel are today (February 13th) and the return date of February 22nd - with more than 120,000 passengers expected to take to the skies with the airlines on both of these dates.

BA also revealed a list of half term traveller hotspots on the continent and beyond with Orlando, New York, Dubai, Los Angeles and Tampa ticking the boxes for fans of long-haul this half term. When it came to short-haul destinations; Rome, Barcelona, Tenerife, Malta and Fuerteventura proved to be firm favourites with families planning a half-term getaway.

Commenting, Stephen Humphreys, British Airways’ head of UK&I sales and marketing, said:

“The half-term holiday, whether it’s a long-haul flight to the sun or a quick city break to Europe is becoming more popular each passing year, and 2015 is no exception.

“British Airways has plenty of places to choose from to escape the chilly winter weather so families can jet off and enjoy some quality time together.”

For those families that are keen to choose snow over sun this half term, recent research from M&S Bank revealed the destinations where families can head off for a winter break for less.

Taking the number one spot in the ranking of the cheapest family ski holiday destination this half term Bansko in Bulgaria came in a total cost £2,880 for a family holiday for four -£154 (-5.1% less) than the cost for the same holiday in 2014.

Following Bansko's lead were the following resorts:

2. Italy (Central Piedmont Alps) - £4,144 (-£137 or -3.2%)

3. France (Meribel) - £4,816 (-£224 or -4.4%)

4. Switzerland (Grindelwald) - £6,232 (-£254 or -£3.9%)

5. USA (Vail) - £11,044 - (+650 or +6.3%)

Wherever you are heading to as a family, it is important to organise family travel insurance in advance.

Date Created: 13/02/2015