"Sizeable Growth": British Airways Adds Australia and Sri Lanka Flights, Increases Frequencies to Asia, Africa, and the Americas

British Airways is getting ready for a major expansion of its long-haul network for winter 2026, adding new destinations and increasing frequencies on several popular routes.

Melbourne. Photo: Shutterstock

The airline confirmed it will launch flights to Melbourne and Colombo, while also boosting services to destinations across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Americas. Overall, the changes represent a 9% increase in its long-haul network.

Colombo. Photo: Shutterstock

Flights to Melbourne will begin on January 9, 2027, operating daily from London Heathrow Airport via Kuala Lumpur. The route is timed to coincide with major events like the Australian Open and the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Colombo will return to the airline’s network earlier, with three scheduled weekly flights from London Gatwick Airport starting October 23, 2026. The winter service will allow travelers to enjoy direct access to Sri Lanka’s beaches, wildlife, and cultural sites.

Beyond new routes, British Airways is increasing capacity on several high-demand destinations. This includes a third daily flight to Cape Town, double daily service to Tokyo Haneda, and more frequent flights to places like Barbados, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and major US cities, including Baltimore, Houston, and New Orleans.

The airline is also responding to shifting travel patterns linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. In recent weeks, it added extra flights to Bangkok and Singapore and continues to adjust its schedule based on demand. At the same time, some routes in the region, including Tel Aviv and Dubai, remain temporarily suspended.

According to the airline, searches for Caribbean destinations such as Antigua and Barbados have risen sharply, along with interest in the Maldives, Mauritius, and the Canary Islands.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Office: "We’re delighted to announce sizeable growth to our flying schedule for winter 2026, including two notable new destinations that I’m confident will prove popular with our customers."