LONDON, 2 November 2026: British Airways has launched its winter 2026 schedule, adding flights to Colombo and expanding choice for customers across its global network.
This winter, the airline will launch four new routes, welcome its first retrofitted A380 and several new aircraft, and increase capacity across 11 popular long-haul destinations.
The airline is also boosting service to in-demand European cities and adding seasonal flights to help customers make the most of winter escapes and festive getaways.
Colombo, Sri Lanka
British Airways’ inaugural flight to Sri Lanka departed London Gatwick on 23 October and touched down in Colombo the following day. Flight and cabin crew colleagues with close personal and family ties to the island operated the milestone flight, and a troupe of traditional Sri Lankan dancers welcomed it on arrival.
Operating three times a week throughout the winter season, the new service will connect customers directly from London to Sri Lanka. The route will offer a choice of World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class), with return fares from UKP524 including taxes, fees and carrier charges.
British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff,
said: “The launch of our new Colombo service marks an exciting start to our winter schedule and reflects our continued commitment to offer customers more choice across our network. Alongside opening inspiring new destinations, we’re increasing capacity on some of our most popular long-haul and short-haul routes, from winter sun favourites such as Cape Town and Barbados to festive city breaks in Europe. Whether customers are seeking sunshine, culture, sporting events or Christmas markets, we’re delighted to be expanding the options available to them this season.”
Winter sun and new route down under
British Airways is increasing capacity to a host of popular long-haul destinations, including Cape Town (South Africa), Tokyo (Japan), Bridgetown (Barbados), Kingston (Jamaica) and San José (Costa Rica). It is also launching a brand-new route to Melbourne, Australia on 9 January, via Kuala Lumpur.
The launch of British Airways’ second route to Australia coincides with two of the city’s biggest events, the Australian Open and the Melbourne Grand Prix, giving customers a convenient way to travel to Australia’s sporting capital.
Customers can choose from four cabins: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business class) and First. Return fares start from UKP1,110, including taxes, fees and carrier charges.
European breaks and seasonal getaways
The winter schedule also adds more flights to popular European destinations, giving customers more options for city breaks and seasonal getaways. Frequencies are increasing to destinations including Rome and Florence in Italy, Gothenburg in Sweden, and Jersey in the Channel Islands.
One of the Canary Islands’ most popular year-round sun destinations, Fuerteventura, will move from London Gatwick to London Heathrow and operate twice a week from mid-December to April. Meanwhile, Palermo in Italy becomes a year-round service on the British Airways network, and Thessaloniki in Northern Greece extends its season into November and March, reflecting continued demand for these vibrant Mediterranean cities. In a significant capacity increase, there will also be seven additional flights per week to Cairo, taking the schedule to three per day.
Geneva remains a key destination for customers heading to the slopes this winter, with British Airways operating up to 110 flights a week during the peak ski season. With convenient departures from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City, customers can easily reach some of the Alps’ most popular ski resorts. Whether planning a family ski holiday, a weekend on the slopes or a longer mountain escape, the airline’s extensive schedule offers greater flexibility and choice throughout the winter season.
For customers looking for a festive escape, British Airways will operate up to five flights a week from London Heathrow to Cologne, and four times per week to Nuremberg, throughout December, perfectly timed for the Christmas market season. In addition, Innsbruck in Austria, home to seven charming Christmas markets, will be served 16 times per week from London Gatwick and twice per week from London City.
The airline is also bringing the magic of the Arctic within easy reach this Christmas, with direct flights launching from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi, Finland, the home of the famous Santa Claus village.
Operated by BA Euroflyer, flights will depart twice a week to the capital of Finnish Lapland, between 4 December and 4 January. The new route complements the existing service from London Gatwick to Ivalo, Finland, and the now daily service from London Heathrow to Tromso, Norway, giving customers even more opportunities to experience the wonder of the Northern Lights and the awe of the Arctic Circle.
(Source: British Airways)
