British Airways has announced a raft of news ahead of the New Year.
First off, the airline is returning to London Stansted airport next summer with three routes. Its subsidiary BA Cityflyer will operate weekend flights to Florence, Ibiza and Nice from 18 May, 2024, operated by its Embraer 190 aircraft.
The airlines said: “It will be the first time that BA has offered scheduled flights from Stansted since before the pandemic.”
Flights will be operated by two-class Embraer 190 aircraft, with passengers in Club Europe (business class) offered a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance. One-way fares will start from £41 to Florence, £36 to Ibiza and £43 to Nice, with bookings available now.
Dubai announced as Avios-Only flight destination
In long-haul news, the airline has announced that Dubai will be the next destination for its Avios-Only flight initiative, where every seat onboard is available to purchase using Avios. Normally BA guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 reward seats on short- and long-haul flights respectively.
The BA105 route from London Heathrow to Dubai will offer 214 reward seats across three cabins on 26 October, 2024. BA108 will return a week later on 2 November, 2024 with 256 reward seats available across four cabins. These are available to book from £100 + 60,000 Avios.
The carrier first launched the Avios-only service in April this year, initially with routes from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh and Heathrow to Geneva, followed up by a second round of flights to destinations including Las Palmas, Lanzarote, Tenerife and Nice.
This latest news brings the total number of Avios-only flights to 30, including Geneva, Nice, Ibiza and Corfu.
Customers with British Airways American Express credit cards will also have the option to use their Companion Vouchers for these flights – these entitle members to a second seat for just the taxes and charges, or one seat for half the amount of Avios.
The first two phases of Avios-Only flights sold out very quickly, so readers are advised to book quickly if they want to take advantage of this.
Agadir joins route network
The Moroccan city of Agadir is joining British Airways’ route network from London Gatwick. The four-times-weekly flight will be operated by BA Euroflyer from 31 March, 2024, with tickets on sale now – return fares start from £138.
This will be the first time in more than a decade that Agadir has been available to BA customers, and the route joins Marrakech to become the second Moroccan destination on the airline’s route map.
The flights will include Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy) cabins. Euro Traveller customers will be offered a complimentary drink and snack, while Club Europe customers will have lounge access, a full meal service with drinks from the bar, priority boarding and additional baggage allowance.
Tom Stoddart, CEO of BA Euroflyer, said:
“Agadir is a coastal destination that enjoys 300 days of sunshine per year, so we know it will see strong demand from our leisure customers and particularly those seeking holiday packages. It offers beaches, golf courses and water sports alongside the opportunity to experience cultural landmarks, such as Agadir Kasbah.”
BA to open new lounge in Miami
The final bit of news is that passengers travelling from Miami International airport will be able to benefit from a brand-new British Airways lounge, though it is only set to open in the first half of 2025.
The lounge will be open to those travelling in first class or Club World (business class), Executive Club members holding at least Silver status, and customers with at least Sapphire oneworld status.
The airline said that further details on the lounge will be announced in 2024.
