LONDON- British Airways (BA) is set to reintroduce First Class service on the Mumbai (BOM) to London Heathrow (LHR) route starting from October 27, marking the return of premium offerings on this route after almost five years.
The airline currently maintains 56 weekly flights to five major Indian cities and aims to enhance both frequency and routes, paralleling the anticipated increase in cargo movement under the forthcoming India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
British Airways (BA), which has had a longstanding presence in India, is sharpening its focus on the region due to the surge in aviation demand.
According to Sean Doyle, the airline’s Chairman and CEO, India has emerged as BA’s largest market outside the United States.
The carrier has increased its weekly flights from India to 56, up from 46 before the pandemic, demonstrating a 25% rise in capacity.
The current Indian network includes double daily flights from Delhi (DEL), three weekly flights from Mumbai (BOM), and daily services from Chennai (MAA), Bengaluru (BLR), and Hyderabad (HYD).
Starting October 27, the Mumbai–London Heathrow (LHR) route will welcome the return of First Class service aboard the Boeing 787-9, which will showcase BA’s full cabin offerings: First, Business (Club World), Premium Economy, and Economy.
British Airways views India as a key strategic market, buoyed by a rapidly expanding middle class and strong economic growth.
Doyle underscored that this represents a “once in a generation growth opportunity” and highlighted India’s significance in British Airways’ global operations, with over 2,500 staff employed in the country.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement
As negotiations for the India-UK FTA progress, British Airways is aligning its strategy to take advantage of enhanced cargo flows.
Doyle expressed optimism that the agreement will create new pathways for outbound Indian cargo and niche imports into India from the UK and nearby regions served by BA.
As reported by The Business Line, the airline expects significant growth in freight volumes once the FTA is operational, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and perishables, as well as high-value manufacturing goods.
These expectations coincide with India’s burgeoning export capacity and the demand for prompt logistics solutions.
Fleet Upgrades
British Airways is progressively modernizing its long-haul fleet with new wide-body aircraft, specifically the Boeing 787-9, which will now offer First Class on selected routes to India.
This initiative responds to the increasing demand for premium leisure travel post-pandemic, particularly on India-UK routes.
As noted by Doyle, while cities like Delhi and Mumbai experience higher Origin & Destination traffic, routes such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad largely consist of connecting passengers, mainly to the United States.
The airline intends to enhance its one-stop connectivity between India and global destinations via London, providing Indian travelers with an extensive international network.
Strategic Vision
British Airways’ renewed focus on the Indian market reflects a larger strategy to capture long-term aviation growth opportunities in South Asia.
This winter, the airline plans to introduce a third daily service from Delhi (DEL), further reinforcing its status as a leading European carrier to India.
Though geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties continue to loom, Doyle affirmed that British Airways supports liberalized trade and open skies, seeing India as a critical component of its future international development.
The airline’s balanced focus on both passenger and cargo services positions it strategically to capitalize on the anticipated economic and aviation growth between India and the UK.
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Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/06/02/british-airways-to-expand-india-flight-operations/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=british-airways-to-expand-india-flight-operations
