British Airways Launches Expanded Winter 2026 Schedule

British Airways has launched its winter 2026 schedule, bringing a new long-haul destination, additional flights across its international network and more options for passengers travelling between the UK and popular holiday destinations.

The airline’s winter programme includes the launch of its new London Gatwick–Colombo service, additional capacity on several long-haul routes and increased frequencies across Europe ahead of the busy Christmas travel period.

The expansion comes as British Airways continues to adjust its network to meet demand for winter holidays, city breaks and long-haul travel.

The airline’s inaugural flight to Colombo departed London Gatwick on 23 October, arriving in Sri Lanka the following day.

The new service will operate three times a week throughout the winter season, providing a direct connection between London and Sri Lanka.

Flights will offer passengers a choice of World Traveller, World Traveller Plus and Club World cabins, with return fares starting from £524, including taxes, fees and carrier charges.

The launch also marks an important addition to British Airways’ Gatwick network, giving passengers another option for travelling to South Asia.

British Airways is also preparing to introduce another new long-haul destination, with flights to Melbourne scheduled to begin on 9 January 2027.

The Australian service will operate via Kuala Lumpur, marking the airline’s second route to Australia.

The launch is timed ahead of major events in Melbourne, including the Australian Open and Melbourne Grand Prix, giving passengers another option for travelling to the city during the busy sporting season.

British Airways will offer four cabins on the Melbourne service, including First, Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.

Return fares are advertised from £1,110, including taxes, fees and carrier charges.

Alongside its new destinations, the airline is increasing capacity across several established long-haul routes.

Additional flights are being introduced to Cape Town, Tokyo, Barbados, Kingston and San José, giving passengers more options for winter sun and long-haul travel.

The airline is also increasing its schedule to Cairo, adding seven flights per week and taking its service to the Egyptian capital to three daily departures.

The changes extend beyond long-haul travel, with British Airways also increasing frequencies to several European destinations during the winter season.

Additional services are planned for Rome, Florence, Gothenburg and Jersey, while Fuerteventura will move from London Gatwick to London Heathrow from mid-December.

The Canary Islands destination will operate twice weekly from Heathrow between December and April.

British Airways is also making changes to its seasonal European network, with Palermo becoming a year-round destination and Thessaloniki extending its operating season into November and March.

For passengers travelling during the Christmas period, the airline is increasing services to several destinations popular for festive markets.

Flights from London Heathrow to Cologne will operate up to five times weekly during December, while Nuremberg will receive four weekly services.

Innsbruck will also see additional seasonal capacity, with flights operating from London Gatwick and London City.

The airline is expanding its winter network to northern Europe as well, with direct flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland launching on 4 December.

The service will operate twice weekly until 4 January, giving passengers another option for visiting the region during the Christmas period.

Rovaniemi joins British Airways’ existing service to Ivalo and its daily flights from London Heathrow to Tromsø in Norway.

The airline is also preparing to welcome its first retrofitted Airbus A380 alongside additional aircraft entering its fleet as part of the wider winter schedule.

British Airways said the new programme was designed to provide customers with more choice across its network, from winter sun destinations to European city breaks and festive travel.

The expanded schedule represents another significant update to the airline’s international network as it prepares for the winter season.

With the new Colombo service now operating and additional routes scheduled to launch over the coming months, British Airways is increasing its options for passengers travelling from London and across its wider network.

Source: British Airways official announcement, 26 October 2026.