British Airways will extend its reach into Southeast Asia with the return of direct flights to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) from London-Gatwick Airport (LGW), and expanded partnership with Bangkok Airways.
From October 28, 2024, Gatwick to Bangkok flights will operate three times per week. The route is set to increase up to five times per week between January and March 2025.
Moreover, the carrier’s existing codeshare partnership with Bangkok Airways has been expanded to open up five new destinations across Thailand and Cambodia:
- Phuket International Airport (HKT) in Thailand
- Koh Samui International Airport (USM) in Thailand
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) in Thailand
- Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) in Cambodia
- Siem Reap International Airport (SAI) in Cambodia
Under the expanded codeshare agreement, British Airways’ passengers will have the option to incorporate a stopover in Bangkok before continuing onto their final destination on the same ticket.
“In October, we will be operating our first direct flight to Thailand in more than four years, so it’s a highly anticipated return to our global network,” Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer said in a statement.
“Knowing that this route will be particularly popular with our leisure customers, we’re pleased to be working with Bangkok Airways to offer more choice and make these sought-after holiday destinations more accessible,” Chernoff added.
London – Beijing to be discontinued
Meanwhile, British Airways is ending its direct flights from London-Heathrow (LHR) to Beijing Daxing International Airport (PKX) in China by October 26, 2024 due to the continued closure of Russian airspace and low demand.
The airline had been operating the four-times-weekly flights since June 2023 when the service was resumed following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although it is still retaining its flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) from London, British Airways is the latest western airline to suspend flights to China.
In mid-July 2024, Virgin Atlantic announced that it would be ending direct flights to Shanghai, a destination it had flown to since 1999.
Australian flag carrier Qantas flew its last flight from Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD) to Shanghai on July 28, 2024, due to low demand.
The closure of Russian airspace means additional flight times, fuel costs, and complicated staffing for airlines.
