BOOK NOW: BA extends Bangkok into Summer 2026, Avios seats bookable

British Airways made a number of announcements about its Summer 2026 timetable this morning.

The key one, from an Avios perspective, is the extension of Bangkok.

At present, Bangkok only operates in the winter season (November to March).

Things are stepping up considerably.

London Gatwick to Bangkok will now become a year-round route.

There will be three flights per week in the summer, departing London on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Seats opened up today for flights from the last Sunday in March until 11th August, which is the end of the current booking window.

Quite a bit of Avios availability in Club World has already gone at the time of typing (1pm Thursday) but if you want a business class redemption and are flexible on dates between May and August you will find something if you move quickly. April is already pretty much gone except for economy.

Remember that, as a Gatwick route, you are guaranteed to get the old-style yin-yang Club World seat.

The headline redemption costs are:

• World Traveller (off-peak): 70,000 Avios + £200 return
• World Traveller (peak): 80,000 Avios + £200 return
• World Traveller Plus (off-peak): 100,000 Avios + £405 return
• World Traveller Plus (peak): 155,000 Avios + £405 return
• Club World (off-peak): 200,000 Avios + £575 return
• Club World (peak): 220,000 Avios + £575 return

Because you would be stuck with the old business class, if you don’t have a British Airways American Express or Barclaycard voucher you will get a better quality trip by redeeming on Qatar Airways via Doha.

A Qatar Airways redemption from London to Bangkok in business class is 150,000 Avios + £645 return. (Yes, a lot cheaper than BA for a better seat!) If Qatar Airways has sold out of standard seats, there are usually ‘Flexi’ seats at double Avios cost.

We’ll do a separate article tomorrow on the other Summer 2026 route changes.