New British Airways Manchester flights now bookable – and new Stansted routes too

Last week we wrote about the new routes from Manchester Airport that British Airways is launching for Summer 2017.

These flights were not bookable at the time.  However, the routes were officially launched yesterday and you can now book for both cash and Avios at ba.com.

Here is a reminder of the routes together with the preliminary timings.  With just one flight per week on most routes, they won’t be a lot of use unless you are planning a 7-night holiday.

Alicante – 20 May – 30 September (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 0550, arrive Alicante 0940
Depart Alicante  1025, arrive Manchester 1220

London City – 21 May – 1 October
Depart Manchester 1955, arrive London City 2055 (Sundays)
Depart London City 1945, arrive Manchester 2045 (Thursdays)

Ibiza – 18 May – 1 October
Depart Manchester 2125, arrive Ibiza 0115 (Thursdays)
Depart Manchester 1930, arrive Ibiza 2330 (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 1250, arrive Ibiza 1640 (Sundays)
Depart Ibiza 0155, arrive Manchester 0330 (Fridays)
Depart Ibiza 0005, arrive Manchester 0150 (Sundays)
Depart Ibiza 1725, arrive Manchester 1910 (Sundays)

Malaga – 19 May – 29 September (Fridays)
Depart Manchester 0535, arrive Malaga 0935
Depart Malaga 1020, arrive Manchester 1225

Mykonos – 19 May – 29 September (Fridays)
Depart Manchester 1310, arrive Mykonos 1910
Depart Mykonos 1955, arrive Manchester 2205

Palma – 21 May – 1 October (Sundays)
Depart Manchester 0550, arrive Palma 0935
Depart Palma 1020, arrive Manchester 1205

Nice – 20 May – 30 September (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 1305, arrive Nice 1625
Depart Nice 1710, arrive Manchester 1835

Note that the London City service will not be bookable until 21st February.  It is possible that this is to tie in with the launch of tickets for domestic Club Europe flights which we know are launching later this spring.

If you liked the idea of Nice, be warned that Manchester to Nice in EuroTraveller prices up at 13,000 Avios return compared with 9,000 Avios from London.  This is because the flight is longer than 650 miles which pushes it into a higher pricing category.  Tax remains at £35 / £50 depending on class.

Remember that these flights operate with Embraer aircraft featuring 2 x 2 seating throughout so there is no ‘middle seat free’ in Club Europe.  You will get access to the BA lounge in Manchester or the Escape lounge in Stansted.

New Stansted services too

What did come as a surprise yesterday was the announcement of new weekend routes from London Stansted this summer.

The new routes will operate to Florence, Geneva and Nice.

Services to Ibiza, Palma, Malaga and Faro are being retained from last year, with increased frequencies to Ibiza and Palma.

Again, these routes are available for booking at ba.com.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2024)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, along with a sign-up bonus worth 10,500 Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 12th May 2024, the Capital on Tap Business Rewards Visa card is offering a bonus of 30,000 points, convertible into 30,000 Avios. You must have a Limited Company to apply. Click here to learn more and click here to apply.

You should also consider the British Airways Accelerating Business credit card. This is open to sole traders as well as limited companies and has a 30,000 Avios sign-up bonus.

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.