Although it may seem a long way off, airlines are already planning for next winter. This, combined with the airline not currently flying to the Middle East has led to an opportunity to launch a much wider change to the winter schedule, with the largest changes we have seen in recent years – both with new or returning destinations, increases in currently popular destinations and some tweaks to the Caribbean.
Returning to Melbourne, Australia
British Airways is returning to Melbourne after 20 years, as the second city it services in Australia. Currently, the only service they operate all the way to Australia is through Singapore to Sydney daily.
The new daily service to Melbourne will start on 9th January 2027, as an extension of their current flight to Kuala Lumpur. You’ll also be able to ‘open jaw’ this new flight – so you can fly into Sydney with British Airways via Singapore, and fly home from Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur, with two different stopover points.
| Airline | Route | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Heathrow → Kuala Lumpur → Melbourne | BA33 | LHR 21:10 → KUL 18:05 (+1) | KUL 19:45 (+1) → MEL 06:50 (+2) | Daily |
| British Airways | Melbourne → Kuala Lumpur → London Heathrow | BA34 | MEL 16:35 → KUL 21:35 | KUL 23:15 → LHR 05:20 (+1) | Daily |
Returning to Sri Lanka
A few years ago, British Airways used to fly to Colombo in Sri Lanka as an extension to their Maldives service, which didn’t last too long. However, it’s making a triumphant return, especially since it’s a popular destination which has been impacted by the reduction in flying of the Middle Eastern airlines.
Colombo will be served from Gatwick three times a week through the winter, as currently a winter-only service starting on 23rd October 2026, just in time for half term. The times are very similar to what you see on the direct Maldives flight, an overnight on the way out, and daytime on the way home.
| Airline | Route | Flight Number | Departure | Arrival | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| British Airways | London Gatwick → Colombo | BA2045 | LGW 17:30 → CMB 09:00 (+1) | – | Mon, Wed & Fri |
| British Airways | Colombo → London Gatwick | BA2046 | CMB 11:00 → LGW 17:00 | – | Tue, Thu & Sat |
Caribbean
Changes to the Caribbean
There’ll be a new daily Barbados service this winter from Gatwick, which will also take over some of the ‘tag’ flights currently operated through St Lucia. This includes Grenada, Georgetown – Guyana, and Tobago.
This means that there’ll be more seats available directly to St Lucia this winter (given that Virgin Atlantic no longer fly there).
Elsewhere in the Caribbean, Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic will get a fourth weekly service from Gatwick (the highest frequency it’s had), and Kingston in Jamaica will also get a fourth weekly link.
Costa Rica
Changes to the Americas
The popular winter service to Costa Rica is moving from Gatwick to Heathrow this year, with an increase in the number of flights. As customary, the new service will start on 25th October 2026, and operate five times weekly directly to San Jose.
In America, New Orleans will be increased to four times weekly (ideal for Mardi Gras in February), Baltimore – near Washington will once again become daily, and Houston will have twelve weekly flights.
Additionally, Tampa is moving from Gatwick to Heathrow, five times weekly from 25th October.
Kyoto, Japan
Increases to Japan and India
British Airways’ direct flights to Tokyo will return to a twice-daily year-round service into Tokyo’s most convenient airport – Haneda. The second daily flight will start at the end of March and continue through the winter.
In addition, there’ll also be an increase to three daily to Delhi for next winter, continuing the increase which was introduced over the summer.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town Increase
Naturally, many will be looking for alternative sun destinations this winter, and this will also be helped with an extra daily service from Heathrow to Cape Town, making it three daily throughout the winter.
Abu Dhabi may also return, with a scheduled resumption due on 25th October.
