British Airways FINALLY returns to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok

British Airways is making a grand comeback to two of Southeast Asia's most beloved destinations after a four-year break: Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. The much-anticipated return is set for the 2024 winter season, starting at the end of October, with direct links from the UK to the heart of the Far East being reintroduced.

The news was announced at the special 'BA Showcase' event in London and tickets are available for purchase with cash or British Airways Avios. Given the popularity of these destinations, particularly Bangkok, those looking to get their hands on BA reward flights should act quickly. To stay ahead of the game, don’t forget to set up Reward Flight Finder (RFF) Alerts so you're notified as soon as seats become available.

As British Airways resumes these routes, travellers have even more reasons to start planning their next Southeast Asian adventure, whether for leisure, business, or a bit of both. Read on for full details on flight routes, timings, and prices.

London Gatwick to Bangkok

Beginning 28th October 2024, this route connects travellers from London Gatwick to Bangkok once again. The relaunched service has flights scheduled thrice a week unlike its daily operations pre-COVID. 

Switching flights from London Heathrow to Gatwick shows that British Airways is keeping up with travel trends. Since Bangkok is mainly visited for leisure, flying from Gatwick matches what travellers looking for a holiday expect. This change shows the airline is listening to what vacationers want.

The flights, operating under the numbers BA2231 and BA2230, will maintain a consistent weekly schedule outlined below:

These timings are planned to maximise convenience for travellers, with ample time for connections and a head start on exploring the city or catching a well-deserved rest after the flight.

The route will be serviced by the Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, refurbished between 2018 and 2019. While retaining the legacy yin-yang Club World product, the aircraft now features upgraded in-flight entertainment systems and refreshed soft furnishings. The cabin configuration includes 32 Club World seats, alongside 48 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy), and 252 in World Traveller (economy).

One-way Business Class BA reward flight redemptions start at 100,000 British Airways Avios and £275, with the flexibility to balance Avios and cash payments according to personal preference.

London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur

Before the hiatus, British Airways was a familiar presence in the skies above Kuala Lumpur, operating daily flights much like its oneworld partner Malaysia Airlines, which currently runs a double-daily direct service. 

This time around, the service will once again feature a daily flight schedule from London Heathrow. Starting on 10th November 2024, the renewed service aims to cater primarily to the needs of the business community, reflected in the choice of London Heathrow as the departure airport. The detailed flight schedule is as follows:

These flights will be serviced by the modern Boeing 787-9, featuring a four-class configuration. This includes eight First Class seats, 42 in Club World, 39 in World Traveller Plus, and 127 in World Traveller for the standard economy class. While the Boeing 787-9s currently do not feature the new BA Club Suite, they are next in line for refurbishment, promising an upgraded experience in the near future.

Travellers can leverage their Avios for this journey starting from 110,000 Avios and £300 one-way in Business Class.

Understanding the Delay

With the reintroduction of these routes, travellers now have more choices than ever to explore the wonders of Southeast Asia. However, the return of British Airways to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok was not without its challenges. The primary hurdles were the global impact of COVID-19 and fleet adjustments, particularly the retirement of the Boeing 747 fleet. The pandemic brought unprecedented disruptions to air travel, grounding fleets worldwide and causing airlines to reevaluate their route networks. 

For British Airways, the situation was compounded by the decision to retire all 31 of its iconic Boeing 747s. This temporarily reduced the airline's long-haul capacity.

However, the airline has been on a path to recovery, strengthened by the arrival of new, modern aircraft such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10. These aircraft have been key in helping the airline bring back long-haul flights, including the much-loved routes to Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. As the fleet continues to evolve and expand, the airline is set to fully recover its pre-COVID capacity by the end of the year.