British Airways has launched its new winter 2026 schedule with the introduction of flights to Colombo, Sri Lanka, as the airline expands its international network with new routes, additional services and increased capacity across popular destinations.
The new schedule includes four new routes, additional aircraft entering the fleet and the return of a retrofitted Airbus A380. The airline is also increasing frequencies on 11 popular long-haul destinations, alongside expanding services to European cities and seasonal winter holiday destinations.
For UK travellers, the changes offer more options for winter sun, long-haul adventures, European city breaks and festive escapes, with additional capacity also targeting popular sporting events and the winter ski season.
Colombo flights launch from London Gatwick
British Airways’ inaugural service to Sri Lanka departed London Gatwick on 23rd of October, arriving in Colombo the following day. The launch marks the introduction of a direct link between London Gatwick and the Sri Lankan capital, with the service operating three times a week throughout the winter season.
The inaugural flight was operated by British Airways pilots and cabin crew with personal and family connections to Sri Lanka. On arrival, the aircraft and its passengers were welcomed with a traditional Sri Lankan dance performance.
The new route opens up a destination known for its beaches, wildlife, cultural heritage and cuisine, while providing travellers with a choice of three cabins: World Traveller economy, World Traveller Plus premium economy and Club World business class.
Return fares start from £524, including taxes, fees and carrier charges. Customers travelling in Club World will also be able to sample a limited-edition menu created in collaboration with Hoppers restaurants to mark the launch.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said the Colombo service was an exciting start to the winter schedule and reflected the airline’s commitment to providing greater choice across its network.
He added that increased capacity would cover destinations ranging from winter sun favourites such as Cape Town and Barbados to European cities popular for Christmas markets and seasonal breaks.
More capacity for long-haul travel
British Airways is increasing capacity on several established long-haul routes, including services to Cape Town in South Africa, Tokyo in Japan, Bridgetown in Barbados, Kingston in Jamaica and San José in Costa Rica.
The airline is also preparing to introduce a new route to Melbourne, Australia, on 9th of January. The service, which will operate via Kuala Lumpur, will become British Airways’ second route to Australia.
The timing is significant for sports fans, with the launch coinciding with two of Melbourne’s major international events: the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Melbourne Grand Prix.
Melbourne is also a popular destination for its arts, culture, food and coffee scenes, while providing a starting point for trips to attractions such as the Great Ocean Road, the Grampians National Park and the wine regions of southern Australia.
The route will offer all four British Airways cabins: World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World and First. Return fares start from £1,110, including taxes, fees and carrier charges.
European routes receive a winter boost
The airline’s European network will also see additional frequencies, with more flights to destinations including Rome and Florence in Italy, Gothenburg in Sweden and Jersey in the Channel Islands.
Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands’ established winter sun destinations, will move from London Gatwick to London Heathrow. The service will operate twice a week from mid-December through to April.
Meanwhile, Palermo in Italy will become a year-round destination on the British Airways network, while services to Thessaloniki in northern Greece will extend into November and March.
Cairo will receive a particularly significant increase, with seven additional flights a week taking the schedule to three flights a day. The expansion provides more options for travellers visiting the Egyptian capital for business, tourism and onward connections.
More flights for ski holidays and Christmas markets
Geneva remains a major focus for British Airways during the winter ski season, with the airline operating up to 110 flights a week at peak times.
Services from London Heathrow, London Gatwick and London City give UK travellers a choice of departure airports when heading to Switzerland and the surrounding Alpine ski resorts.
The festive travel period will also bring additional flights to several European Christmas market destinations. British Airways plans to operate up to five flights a week from London Heathrow to Cologne and four a week to Nuremberg throughout December.
Innsbruck, in Austria, will be served 16 times a week from London Gatwick and twice a week from London City. The city is home to seven Christmas markets and is also a gateway to the surrounding Austrian Alps.
Direct flights to Santa’s Lapland
One of the most seasonal additions to the network will see BA Euroflyer launch direct flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, home to the famous Santa Claus Village.
The service will operate twice a week between 4th of December and 4th of January, providing families with a direct option for a festive trip to the Arctic.
The new route complements British Airways’ existing London Gatwick service to Ivalo in Finland and its now-daily flights from London Heathrow to Tromsø in Norway.
Together, these services offer more opportunities for UK travellers hoping to experience Lapland’s winter landscapes, see the Northern Lights or enjoy a Christmas holiday in the Arctic Circle.
A broader choice for winter 2026
British Airways’ winter schedule combines new long-haul opportunities with additional frequencies on established routes and seasonal services aimed at holidaymakers.
The launch of Colombo flights gives London Gatwick a new connection to Sri Lanka, while Melbourne adds another option for travellers heading to Australia. Across Europe, extra flights and extended seasons provide more flexibility for city breaks, ski trips and Christmas market visits.
With additional aircraft and increased capacity also forming part of the programme, the winter schedule represents a broad expansion of choice for British Airways customers travelling from the UK over the coming months.
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