BA expands long-haul network

British Airways reveals a broader long haul plan for summer 2026 with new and larger services from London

British Airways expands 2026 summer schedule strengthening Bangkok Miami Jamaica routes

British Airways has announced plans to boost its long haul network for the 2026 summer season. Bangkok will run year round from London Gatwick, with three weekly flights in summer and six weekly in winter, adding nearly 60 000 seats. Kingston in Jamaica will gain an extra weekly flight, bringing four weekly services for the season. From London Heathrow, the Miami service returns to a double daily schedule and the Dallas route will be daily again. Las Vegas grows from 10 to 13 weekly flights, while San Diego and Austin each receive 14 weekly rotations. New York JFK will operate exclusively from Heathrow with nine weekly flights on a 777-200 that includes First and Club Suite. Doha will see 14 weekly flights, and Bahrain will become a daily service. Jeddah rises to five weekly and Riyadh to 14 weekly, completing a more expansive Middle East and North America footprint.

The changes come after recent winter additions and a strengthened codeshare with Bangkok Airways, expanding connections to Phuket and Phnom Penh. BA frames the plan as giving customers more choice and easier connections across Europe, the Americas and Asia, while highlighting Heathrow and Gatwick as springboards for a diversified long haul strategy.

The schedule shows British Airways doubling down on high demand markets while expanding premium offerings. The Heathrow JFK link with a 777-200 and First and Club Suite signals a push to maintain a premium edge on a flagship route. The mix of Southeast Asia, Caribbean, and US destinations suggests BA is betting on leisure-led growth alongside business travel. The emphasis on year round Bangkok service and the Caribbean adds resilience to demand that ebbs and flows with seasons and tourism cycles. Rome wasn out of the picture but the message is clear: London remains a hub for a global network and BA is trying to balance connectivity with cabin experience.

Highlights

The plan will test demand and operational capacity as travel rebounds.