British Airways begins Gatwick–Colombo flights in winter expansion

British Airways has begun flying from London Gatwick to Colombo, restoring a direct link to Sri Lanka as it expands its winter 2026 schedule. The first flight departed on Friday 23 October and arrived the following morning, with services now planned three times a week.

The launch is one part of a wider increase in British Airways flying this winter. Its timetable adds long-haul frequencies from Heathrow, expands seasonal services from Gatwick and introduces a second route to Australia, via Kuala Lumpur, in January.

Gatwick–Colombo operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

Flight BA2045 is scheduled to leave Gatwick at 17:30 and arrive in Colombo at 09:00 the following day. The return service, BA2044, is listed from Colombo at 11:00, reaching Gatwick at 17:00. British Airways published those times in its winter schedule announcement.

Colombo flights are operating on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the winter season. Economy, premium economy and business class are offered, with return fares advertised from £524, including taxes, fees and carrier charges. Fares depend on the dates booked, and British Airways has not announced a year-round service.

The inaugural arrival on 24 October was marked by a traditional dance performance. British Airways said the crew included staff with personal and family connections to Sri Lanka. In Club World, passengers are being offered a limited-edition menu developed with Hoppers, the restaurant group known for Sri Lankan and south Indian cooking.

British Airways increases flights to Delhi, Tokyo and Cape Town

Heathrow’s long-haul schedule is receiving some of the largest additions. Delhi is moving from two flights a day to three, while Tokyo Haneda rises from ten weekly departures to twice daily. Cape Town will be served three times daily from 13 December, compared with 17 flights a week previously.

The airline is also increasing San José in Costa Rica from three to five weekly flights. Baltimore becomes daily rather than six times weekly; New Orleans rises from three departures a week to four. Houston gains an additional weekly service, taking the total to twelve.

At Gatwick, British Airways is adding capacity in the Caribbean. The winter programme includes a daily Barbados service and changes to the St Lucia operation, while Kingston and Punta Cana increase to four weekly departures. These additions are spread across the winter timetable, rather than starting on a single day.

A new Melbourne route and more European winter flying

Another significant development is the planned Heathrow–Melbourne service via Kuala Lumpur, due to start on 9 January 2027. British Airways is advertising it as its second route to Australia, alongside Sydney. For travellers, the intermediate stop is an important distinction from a non-stop flight.

European flying is growing too, with extra services to Rome, Florence, Gothenburg and Jersey. Fuerteventura moves from Gatwick to Heathrow for twice-weekly winter flights, while Geneva is scheduled to have up to 110 British Airways departures a week across three London airports at the busiest point of the ski season.

The Colombo launch is already under way; the Melbourne service and some of the increased frequencies are still ahead. Travellers choosing between Heathrow and Gatwick will find that British Airways’ winter expansion is divided between the two airports, with different destinations and departure patterns at each.