BOOK NOW: British Airways launches Gatwick flights for next summer – wide open for Avios

British Airways has finally begun to load its Summer 2023 schedule from London Gatwick.

I’d had a number of reader emails about this so it is good to see them up for sale and redemption at last.

Avios availability is wide open if you book now. The Summer timetable starts in late March 2023 and will continue until the end of October.

Which new routes is British Airways launching from Gatwick?

So far, we know of nine routes which British Airways is (re-)launching. As you would expect, they are all in popular summer holiday destinations and include:

• Catania
• Dalaman
• Faro, Portugal
• Heraklion
• Kos
• Lanzarote
• Paphos
• Tenerife
• Thessaloniki

We will have to wait and see if any more are added to the list.

These routes will all be operated by BA Euroflyer, the new British Airways low cost subsidiary. However, the ‘low cost’ element only applies to what the crew and pilots are paid. In-flight service and benefits, including lounge access, are identical to what mainline BA flights offer, albeit Gatwick flights use a different caterer to Heathrow.

What is Avios reward availability like?

Here is a SeatSpy screenshot from this morning’s article for Paphos, for days with two Club Europe business class seats. Obviously Economy will be wide open too.

In total, BA has released four business class and eight economy seats per flight.

Other destinations will be similarly open, although not ever route is daily.

What can I book?

You can currently book as far out as 20th August 2023 due to BA opening up seats at 355 prior to departure.

You can book on the BA website here.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

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:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

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

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

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.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

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, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

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.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

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