British Airways boosts capacity to Latin America and returns to Tanzania

The UK flag carrier will increase capacity across its Latin American network by 25%, led by a new daily non-stop service between London and Buenos Aires, with onward flights to Santiago, Chile.

British Airways indicates the daily Heathrow-Buenos Aires-Santiago route will provide the only non-stop flights between London and Argentina, while giving travelers daily connectivity onward to Chile.

Rio de Janeiro will gain additional seats as its daily operation becomes a dedicated route without onward tags.

In Central America, the London Heathrow-San José service will operate year-round at three flights weekly, rather than being limited to a seasonal schedule.

At the same time, British Airways is strengthening its Caribbean presence, with the continuation of its new London Gatwick-Barbados service through summer 2027. The Barbados operation will include onward services to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago, while London Gatwick-St. Lucia will operate four times weekly. Customers will also benefit from additional flights to Las Vegas, United States, from 13 to 14 weekly services.

The expansion reflects a broader effort to give London more connectivity to the Americas.

Tanzania adds new safari and beach options
British Airways will launch flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar on May 29, 2027, creating its first links to the two Tanzanian destinations after a 15-year absence.

The service will operate three times weekly from London Gatwick, flying to Kilimanjaro before continuing to Zanzibar. The routes are scheduled through October 31, covering the UK summer travel period and peak safari season.

Kilimanjaro provides access to Tanzania’s Northern Safari Circuit, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire and Lake Manyara. It is also the main gateway for travellers climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

Zanzibar adds a very different proposition, combining beaches and marine tourism with Stone Town, spice plantations and diving and snorkelling opportunities.

British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer Neil Chernoff said the Tanzania routes would strengthen the airline’s East African footprint.

South Africa also receives additional capacity, with Heathrow-Cape Town increasing from seven to 10 weekly flights.

Asia boost for the winter season
The changes come as British Airways prepares to launch two other long-haul additions: London Gatwick-Colombo on October 23, 2026, and London Heathrow-Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur from January 9, 2027.

The new Heathrow-KL-Melbourne route is launched in time for the Australian Open and the Melbourne Grand Prix. Flights will operate year-round from London Heathrow, via Kuala Lumpur, on a daily basis.

To Sri Lanka, British Airways will fly three times per week only during the winter season.

Finally in Japan, BA confirmed its second daily London Heathrow to Tokyo-Haneda throughout the winter schedule.