For many in the UK, the magic of a Christmas film is not just in the presents or the snow, but in the frantic, heartwarming journeys characters take to get home. New research has crowned one particular cinematic scramble as the nation's ultimate festive travel moment.
The Ultimate Festive Dash
A poll of 2,000 British adults, commissioned by the travel search engine Skyscanner, has revealed that Kate McCallister's epic race from Paris to Chicago in the classic film Home Alone is the most iconic travel scene in a Christmas movie. Her desperate mission, which involves flights from the French capital to Dallas and Scranton before hitching a lift in a van, clearly still resonates with audiences decades later.
The sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, secured second place for the moment Kevin McCallister sprints through an airport to board a plane to New York alone. In third spot was the heartfelt scene from Love Actually, where young Sam charges through Heathrow's departures to declare his love for Joanna before she flies to the United States.
Why Travel Makes the Christmas Movie
The study uncovered a strong belief among festive film fans that travel is a crucial ingredient. 57 per cent of those polled stated that travel scenes play a big part in what makes a good Christmas movie. Furthermore, 63 per cent of this group believe these moments add a powerful sense of reunion and togetherness to the story.
Laura Lindsay, a travel trends expert at Skyscanner, commented on the findings. "What's a Christmas film without a good airport scene?" she said. "Festive travel is a huge part of people's lives during the holiday season... So, it makes sense these moments are captured on the big screen to help us get into the Christmas spirit."
The research also identified the plot twists that make these cinematic journeys more exciting for viewers:
- Festive miracles saving a trip (32%)
- Strangers offering help (27%)
- Snowstorms forcing an overnight stop (25%)
- A race-against-the-clock dash for a flight or train (22%)
Beyond the excitement, these scenes evoke a sense of warmth for 33 per cent of people and nostalgia for 29 per cent.
From Screen to Destination Inspiration
The influence of these films extends beyond the sofa, directly inspiring travel plans. 45 per cent of respondents find the idea of recreating a famous Christmas movie journey appealing, and nearly a quarter (23 per cent) have actually booked a trip to a destination after seeing it as a festive backdrop on screen.
When it comes to the most iconic locations, New York leads the pack, with 48 per cent associating it with Christmas films. It is followed by London (37 per cent) and Paris (21 per cent), with Edinburgh (18 per cent) and Vienna (14 per cent) also featuring strongly. New York also topped the list of places people would feature if they wrote a festive film and was the most desired foreign destination to spend the holiday season.
Half of those surveyed said real-life film locations look more appealing to visit when decorated for Christmas than at any other time of year. Ultimately, 77 per cent agreed that watching Christmas films helps them feel more festive.
Laura Lindsay added, "It's no surprise New York is the go-to destination when thinking about blockbusters set in December. Film and TV are big sources of travel inspiration for UK travellers with set-jetting becoming hugely popular."
Top 10 Most Iconic Travel Moments in Festive Movies
- Home Alone - Kate McCallister's journey from Paris to Chicago
- Home Alone 2 - Kevin's dash through the airport to New York
- Love Actually - Sam runs through Heathrow to catch Joanna
- Polar Express - The final journey dropping the children home
- Elf - Buddy's journey from the North Pole to Manhattan
- White Christmas - The nostalgic train ride to snowy Vermont
- The Holiday - Amanda and Iris swapping homes between LA and Surrey
- Die Hard 2 - Holly McClane finally landing at Dulles Airport
- The Flight Before Christmas - A flight diverted by a sudden snowstorm
- A Castle for Christmas - Sophie's journey to Dun Dunbar Castle from Edinburgh Airport
