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Is British Airways about to launch flights to Kansas City?

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British Airways has let it slip that it is about to announce a new route to the United States.

Because, let’s be honest, the existing 26 routes to the United States aren’t nearly enough ….

Who wouldn’t prefer the 27th most important US city instead of, say, Bangkok, Abu Dhabi, Seoul, Osaka, Kuala Lumpur, Muscat or other dropped routes? Realistically, of course, many of these routes are difficult until the restrictions on Russian airspace are lifted.

BA British Airways flights to Kansas City

The big question is where?

I’m not a routes expert, but the good people over at Flyertalk have proposed a short list which includes:

  • Providence
  • Hartford (soon to gain Aer Lingus flights)
  • Raleigh-Durham (taking over from American Airlines)
  • Indianapolis (past rumours of BA being interested)
  • Minneapolis-St Paul (a Delta route)
  • Louisville
  • Detroit
  • Cincinnati
  • Cleveland
  • Columbus
  • Salt Lake City
  • Fort Myers
  • Jacksonville
British Airways Kansas City

Why is Kansas City looking possible?

The smart money, however, seems to be pointing at Kansas City, Missouri.

There is a very high chance that British Airways is being offered a big wad of cash to open the route. There are a lot of US cities without any direct flights to Europe, and this is a big issue when it comes to attracting inward investment.

Aer Lingus is a past master at this. Routes Online reported that Aer Lingus will receive $3 million over a three-year period for operating its new Cleveland service. Divide $3 million over three years by four flights per week and that’s a handy $5,000 per return trip.

This local TV news report suggests that Kansas City officials met with British Airways in Bergen in May, at the annual Routes conference, to pitch for flights. Missouri’s state budget includes $5 million allocated for a ‘transatlantic flight loan guarantee incentive’.

There are, apparently, already 400 people per day who are taking transatlantic flights from Kansas City. At the moment all 400 have to change aircraft on the way.

Other points in favour of Kansas City are its role as a host city for the 2026 World Cup and the upcoming opening of a new terminal at Kansas City International Airport.

More news as we get it ….

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Category

British Airways and Avios

Comments (105)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Pockets says:
    10 Nov10 November 12:16

    Kansas City would be interesting. I haven’t flown there for a few years so the “new” terminals might have been made to be better for international travel. But the terminals I remember from 2019 were really tight half circles. While I liked the concept of going directly from the outside curb to the gate, the problems are that if you didn’t time it right then it made either the gates completely over-crowded or the security line completely long. Also the long shuttle ride to/from the HUGE beautiful car rental was always slightly amusing.

    On the other hand, if Indianapolis made some relatively minor changes to their setup it would be much better as it is such a roomy airport (such as more restaurant offerings after security and definitely a lounge). The only thing Indianapolis really lacks is good transport to the city. I’m also surprised reading from the “shortlist” that BA isn’t at Minneapolis already as that airport is more well oiled than most airports.

  • fred says:
    10 Nov10 November 12:35

    Fort Wayne, Indiana. GE aviation and will be the only indiana route to europe.

  • Emily says:
    10 Nov10 November 12:35

    I would prefer they fly to Orlando out of an airport that they do uk connection flights for – atm no flights from Manchester to Gatwick!!!!
    Families will have to fly into Heathrow next year onwards and trapse through London to Gatwick with kids and luggage – BA think this is a flyer…‽

    • Andrew. says:
      10 Nov10 November 14:17

      IAG fly from Manchester to Orlando. Why would you bother heading to Gatwick when you can fly direct from MAN.

    • John T says:
      10 Nov10 November 15:32

      Aer Lingus fly MAN-MCO as do Virgin Atlantic

      • Mikeact says:
        10 Nov10 November 18:26

        Some people just don’t bother to check and then moan about London.

        • NorthernLass says:
          10 Nov10 November 20:56

          She’s not saying there are no direct flights from MAN, just that there’s no connection for the LGW route! Possibly an avios/241 user, which would explain the comment.

    • Wally1976 says:
      10 Nov10 November 21:28

      Have they stopped the LHR-MCO flights? That’s what we did in August.

  • NigelthePensionerr says:
    10 Nov10 November 13:19

    I think Charleston will return – and its a gorgeous town. If not, then go to New Orleans which is now very very similar!

  • BJ says:
    10 Nov10 November 14:12

    You’re all wrong, it’s going to be LGW-JFK!

  • Michael C says:
    10 Nov10 November 17:24

    Des Moines – London Southend.

  • david says:
    10 Nov10 November 18:31

    Boizzzzzziiiiiiiiiiiii Idaho!

    • dougzz99 says:
      10 Nov10 November 21:22

      That’s how this business goes

    • riku says:
      11 Nov11 November 13:17

      Can Boise handle international arrivals? I have worked in Boise a couple of times and love the place but the airport is quite small and currently they don’t have any non-USA flights.

  • Karl says:
    11 Nov11 November 00:54

    While the tanking £ may make the UK more attractive to US visitors, the US seems to have become hideously expensive – on par with Scandanavian, Switzerland, UAE, Singapore prices.

    On a recent trip to California a HGI breakfast buffet (worse than a UK HIX offerening) set us back £39 for 2, on top of the $10pp Diamond credit. A bog-standard diner breaksfast (omlette, home fries, toast, drip coffee) was also over £40 for 2 + tip. Even a McDonalds breakfast meal was £21 for 2.

    A pint outside of happy hour is usually £8-£10, often more. We went in a brewery pub, similar to what you’d find in Bermondsey and the cheapest pint was over £14 plus tip!

    There seem to be more upcharge “scams” too. A restaurant where entrees are $40-$60 (not including sides) automatically add 5% to the bill to pay for staff health insurance. This is apparently not an uncommon practice. Another one is a $10 charge at a well-know Hollywood hotel to contribute towards legislation that hotel workers require panic alarms.

    • RussellH says:
      11 Nov11 November 09:15

      They need legislation to require prices to be calculated on the basis of all overheads.

      It makes other businesses sound like avios flights.

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

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