British Airways adds Colombo and Melbourne in winter expansion

British Airways has launched its winter 2026/27 programme with a new London Gatwick–Colombo service, increased capacity across 11 long-haul destinations and additional European flights.

The inaugural Colombo flight departed Gatwick on 23 October and arrived the following day. The seasonal route operates three times weekly, offering economy, premium economy and business class.

Melbourne will join the network on 9 January 2027, becoming British Airways’ second Australian destination. Flights will operate from London Heathrow via Kuala Lumpur, with four cabins, including First. The airline is also increasing capacity to destinations including Cape Town, Tokyo, Bridgetown, Kingston and San José.

On its shorter-haul network, British Airways will add frequencies to Rome, Florence, Gothenburg and Jersey. Cairo will gain seven weekly flights, taking the schedule to three daily services.

Fuerteventura flights will move from Gatwick to Heathrow, operating twice weekly from mid-December to April. Palermo becomes a year-round destination, while Thessaloniki’s season extends into November and March.

Winter leisure services include up to 110 weekly Geneva flights across Heathrow, Gatwick and London City during the peak ski season. December Christmas-market connections will include up to five weekly Heathrow–Cologne flights and four to Nuremberg.

BA Euroflyer will also introduce Gatwick–Rovaniemi twice weekly between 4 December and 4 January, complementing existing Ivalo services and British Airways’ daily Heathrow–Tromsø connection.

The winter programme also includes the planned arrival of British Airways’ first refurbished Airbus A380 and additional new aircraft.