LONDON- British Airways (BA) will reintroduce First Class service on the Mumbai (BOM) to London Heathrow (LHR) route from October 27, marking a return of premium offerings on this sector after nearly five years.
The airline currently operates 56 weekly flights across five major Indian cities and is looking to expand both frequency and routes, in tandem with increasing cargo movement under the proposed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Photo: Clément AlloingBritish Airways Expands India Flights
British Airways (BA), with a century-long presence in India, is intensifying its focus on the region as aviation demand surges.
According to the airline’s Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle, India has become BA’s largest market outside the United States.
The carrier now operates 56 flights weekly from India, up from 46 before the pandemic, reflecting a 25% capacity increase.
The airline’s current India network includes double daily flights from Delhi (DEL), three weekly flights from Mumbai (BOM), and daily services from Chennai (MAA), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD).
From October 27, the Mumbai–London Heathrow (LHR) route will see the return of First Class service on the Boeing 787-9, featuring BA’s full cabin offerings—First, Business (Club World), Premium Economy, and Economy.
British Airways sees India as a long-term strategic market, driven by a fast-growing middle class and robust economic expansion.
Doyle emphasized that this is a “once in a generation growth opportunity” and noted India’s role in British Airways’ global operations, employing over 2,500 staff in the country.
Photo: By Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27348485India-UK Free Trade Agreement
As the India-UK FTA negotiations progress, British Airways is aligning its strategy to benefit from enhanced cargo flows.
Doyle expressed confidence that the agreement will open new lanes for outbound Indian cargo and niche imports into India from the UK and surrounding regions served by BA.
Reported by The Business Line, the airline anticipates significant growth in freight volumes once the FTA is operational, especially in pharmaceuticals, perishables, and high-value manufacturing goods.
These expectations are aligned with India’s increasing export capacity and demand for time-sensitive logistics solutions.
Photo: British AirwaysFleet Upgrades
British Airways is gradually upgrading its long-haul fleet with more wide-body aircraft, particularly the Boeing 787-9, which will now feature First Class on selected India routes.
The move caters to the rising demand for premium leisure travel post-pandemic, a segment that continues to show strong growth, especially on India-UK routes.
According to Doyle, while cities like Delhi and Mumbai see more Origin & Destination traffic, routes like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are still driven by connecting passengers, primarily to the United States.
The airline plans to strengthen its one-stop connectivity between India and global destinations via London, offering Indian travelers an expansive international network.
Photo: Ian Abbott | FlickrStrategic Vision
British Airways’ renewed commitment to the Indian market reflects a broader vision of capturing long-term aviation growth in South Asia.
The airline plans to add a third daily service from Delhi (DEL) this winter, further solidifying its position as one of the key European carriers serving India.
While geopolitical and tariff-related uncertainties persist, Doyle affirmed that British Airways supports liberalized trade and open skies, and sees India as pivotal to its future international expansion.
The airline’s balanced focus on both passenger and cargo services positions it well to benefit from economic and aviation growth between India and the UK.
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