British Airways to Expand UK–India Connectivity as Part of Trade Mission
British Airways has reaffirmed its plans for network growth in India while supporting a UK Government trade mission to the country, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The airline will introduce a third daily flight between London Heathrow and Delhi in 2026, subject to regulatory and capacity approvals. This expansion aligns with growing trade activity between the UK and India following the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in July.
As part of the trade mission, around 130 UK business leaders and senior government ministers travelled to Mumbai on a chartered British Airways flight to strengthen commercial and economic links between the two countries.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and Chief Executive of British Airways, stated that the airline will continue to align its network development with increased economic activity between the UK and India, underscoring the airline’s longstanding presence in the region and its role in supporting trade and connectivity.
British Airways has operated flights to India for more than a century and marks 20 years of operations to Bangalore this month. Along with the new Delhi frequency, the airline will reintroduce its First Class cabin on flights to Mumbai and plans to feature its latest business class, the Club Suite, on select flights across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026.
To enhance the travel experience, British Airways has also introduced a Meet and Assist service for customers who require additional support when traveling from India to the UK. Since its launch in March, the service has been used by approximately 5,500 customers across all five Indian airports where the airline operates. Colleagues trained in local languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, and Tamil, support this initiative.
British Airways continues to invest in its customer experience as part of its ongoing transformation programme, which includes new seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, and messaging on board, as well as upgraded lounges across its network.
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