London, September 10: TripAdvisor®, the world’s largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual autumn travel survey of more than 1,800 travellers worldwide.

Air Travel Troubles
2007 is likely to go down as one of the worst years for airline delays and cancellations but despite their exasperations 70 percent of respondents said they intend to fly this autumn. Fifteen percent of those surveyed (12 percent British) say they will fly less in the coming 12 months, because of the recent airline problems.

Cut the On-Plane Waiting
One of the biggest gripes that air passengers have is about the time they have to wait on aircraft before taking off or disembarking. Fifty-three percent of all travellers (47 percent British) said recent airline delays and cancellations are completely out of hand, and people shouldn’t have to wait on a plane for more than an hour. Thirty-seven percent believe that while delays are inevitable, airlines should have a maximum number of hours that they can keep people on a plane. Only six percent of people (10 percent of the slightly more stoical British) thought that the airlines are doing their best and people just need to be patient and wait.

Hope Springs Eternal
Despite or maybe because of the terrible summer weather many of us will be taking a break this autumn. Ninety percent of British respondents say that they are planning to do so.

When it comes to the type of holiday the most popular choice was a romantic getaway for 25 percent of British travellers. Beach destinations are also tops for Brits with 43 percent of us looking for some sun and sand this autumn compared with 38 percent of the rest of the world. The top choices for European city breaks among British travellers were London, Paris, Barcelona, Berlin and Dublin. Viewing the autumn foliage is on the itinerary for 37 percent of worldwide travellers, and 42 percent of Americans but only 20 percent of British.

Autumn Amnesty from Tourist Traffic
More than half of respondents (52 percent) believe the greatest incentive to travel in the autumn is because there are fewer tourists and crowds. Bargain hunters were next on the list, as 35 percent of travellers are drawn by reduced rates on lodging and transportation. Thirty-seven percent of travellers find service at hotels and restaurants is improved after the summer rush.