Nothing beats the thrill of standing before a departures board at an airport as you scan the list of cities, imagining the stories waiting at each one. For travellers chasing that next horizon, British Airways continues to expand what’s possible, connecting more corners of the world than ever before. Over the past few weeks, the airline has rolled out a flurry of announcements about new routes and schedules, meaning even more chances to book flights with Avios.
In this article, we’ve rounded them all up to explain what’s changing, why it matters, and how these updates could help you plan your next trip or secure better-value Avios reward flights through the Reward Flight Finder (RFF).
New Flights to the US Midwest
British Airways is expanding its presence further into the American heartland with the launch of a brand-new direct service from London Heathrow to St. Louis, Missouri, making BA the only UK airline to fly directly to the city. Known for its blues and barbecue, its love of baseball, and the unmistakable curve of the Gateway Arch, St. Louis has a lively food and cultural scene.
The new flights begin on 19 April 2026 and will operate four times weekly throughout the summer. This brings BA’s U.S. network to 27 cities, cementing its place as the UK’s go-to airline for crossing the Atlantic.
The timing of the launch couldn’t be better as it coincides with the 100th anniversary of Route 66, the legendary American highway that begins in Chicago and passes through St. Louis. It’s the perfect starting point for travellers dreaming of a classic US road trip.
Beyond its vintage Americana appeal, St. Louis is full of sprawling green spaces, world-class museums, and a proud sporting heritage, home to the Cardinals, Blues, and City Soccer Club. Passengers can choose between World Traveller (Economy), World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy), or Club World (Business Class), with return fares starting from £529.
Travellers booking a British Airways upgrade in Club World will also experience the airline’s Club Suite, featuring direct aisle access, a full-flat bed, and a 17-inch screen, making the long-haul journey a pleasure rather than a chore.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said, “St. Louis is a fantastic addition to our US network – it’s a destination in itself as a city with a rich history and a vibrant cultural scene, as well as a gateway to exciting destinations beyond this. As the only direct route from the UK, this service will open up exciting new opportunities for our customers and further strengthen ties between the UK and the US Midwest.”
In addition to St. Louis, the airline is also ramping up its US capacity in other destinations. From Summer 2026, expect a double-daily Miami service, daily Dallas-Fort Worth, 13 weekly flights to Las Vegas, and 14 per week to both San Diego and Austin. New York (JFK) will see nine daily flights, all from Heathrow, including a new Boeing 777-200 featuring First and Club Suite cabins.
With these new additions, BA reward flights to the US are easier to find than ever. For travellers using the Reward Flight Finder (RFF), these new schedules mean greater flexibility, increased availability, and more opportunities to use Avios points for flights across the Atlantic.
Expanding Horizons in India
Over in South Asia, British Airways is doubling down on one of its most historic and important markets. The airline has reaffirmed its commitment to India by adding a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi, scheduled for 2026, subject to regulatory approval.
The announcement came as BA supported a UK Government trade mission to India, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Around 130 senior UK executives and ministers flew aboard a chartered British Airways aircraft to Mumbai as part of efforts to deepen trade ties between the two nations.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, said, “I am delighted to take part in this important trade mission. Our ties with India were established over 100 years ago, and today we have around 2,500 British Airways colleagues based there. We’ve been steadily increasing capacity between the UK and India over the years, and we’re now operating 56 direct services to five Indian cities each week.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer added, “British Airways has been connecting the United Kingdom with India for more than a century, a symbol of the enduring partnership and deep cultural and economic ties between our two nations. As our landmark trade deal paves the way for new opportunities for businesses, our national flag carrier will play a critical role in strengthening trade links with India, boosting UK growth, and helping deliver on our Plan for Change.”
BA’s new schedule has reintroduced the First Class cabin on London to Mumbai flights and introduced the latest Club Suite across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026. All these changes mean greater comfort, consistency, and connection for both business and leisure travellers
And that’s not all; the airline has also introduced a complimentary Meet and Assist service across Indian airports to make travel easier for those requiring extra assistance. It’s part of BA’s ongoing £7 billion transformation plan, which includes refreshed lounges, new short-haul seats, and free Wi-Fi messaging on board.
All in all, with 56 flights per week and nearly 1.5 million seats annually, India is now British Airways’ largest market outside the US. For those looking to book flights with Avios, these expanded schedules mean more ways to find Avios reward flights to Delhi, Mumbai, and beyond.
Middle East Expansion
British Airways is also expanding its presence across the Middle East region, which has already seen fast-growing demand for both leisure and business travel. This winter, BA will increase flights to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Riyadh, and Jeddah due to rising demand for connectivity and customer needs. The Heathrow to Bahrain route will jump from three flights per week to daily from 27 October, adding over 9,000 extra seats to the schedule. Furthermore, the Heathrow to Abu Dhabi service, paused for the summer of 2025, also returns this winter as a daily flight, restoring one of BA’s key Middle Eastern connections.
Meanwhile, the airline’s Saudi Arabian routes are also scaling up, with flights to Riyadh increasing to 12 weekly flights this winter and 14 by summer 2026, while Jeddah will rise from four to five weekly flights next summer.
According to BA, this expanded schedule “supports growing demand across the region and has been strategically timed to ensure customers have smooth onward connections via London Heathrow to more than 200 destinations worldwide.”
This means new opportunities to secure BA reward flights on popular Middle Eastern routes, whether it’s a quick business trip to Riyadh or a long-weekend escape to the UAE.
With the addition of new US gateways, increased India frequencies, and expanding Middle East capacity, British Airways is quietly reshaping its global network to provide Avios collectors more value than ever.
