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Kayleigh
Last Updated: 23 Sep 2026
Exciting news for Avios collectors! British Airways has just revealed its plans to launch Avios-only flights, where every single seat on selected flights will be up for grabs using your Avios. This innovative move is set to bring more availability to travellers eager to make the most of their well-stacked points.
In this blog post, we're going to dive into the details of this announcement, uncover the routes featuring these Avios-only flights, discuss the potential perks and opportunities that this initiative has in store for those who want to book a reward flight with Avios and find out how our BA Avios flight finder tool can help you unlock the full potential of your Avios collection.
Find available reward seats with British Airways and Iberia.
Let's take a moment to understand how Avios seats are typically released by British Airways. Under normal circumstances, BA guarantees the below allocation of seats for Avios flight redemption on each flight:
However, they don't promise any First Class seats.
Now, if you've ever tried to book a reward seat on popular routes, such as The Maldives, Sydney, or Barbados, you're probably familiar with the challenge of snapping up those coveted spots. In many cases, you're left to rely on ticket cancellations or the airline's generosity to release additional seats.
This is where the Avios-only flights come in, and they're quite the game-changer. Unlike the standard allocation, British Airways is opening up all seats on these flights for Avios flight redemption, including those in Business Class. So, these Avios-only flights can make your travel dreams a reality with a whole lot more ease and flexibility.
If you’re curious about the routes these flights will operate in, we’ve got the lowdown. The very first Avios-only flight is scheduled to take off for Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, on the inaugural service from London Gatwick on November 3rd, 2023. This flight will be operated by an A320, featuring 30 Club Europe (business class) and 132 Euro Traveller (economy) seats, all available for Avios redemption.
But that's not all. British Airways has also planned four dedicated Avios-only flights from Heathrow to Geneva, timed perfectly for the ski season in February and March. The Geneva flights are set to depart on the following dates:
At this stage, it seems that the airline is testing the waters with a soft launch, focusing on a couple of short/mid-haul flights to gauge the response from Avios collectors. So, while these initial routes might be limited, they could potentially pave the way for even more exciting options in the future.
If you're eager to hop on one of these Avios-only flights, you'll be pleased to know that the booking process is a breeze. In fact, it's just as simple as booking any other Avios redemption with British Airways. To secure your seat, follow these simple steps:
That's all there is to it. You'll find that the booking process is virtually identical to the regular Avios redemption booking process. The key difference, of course, is that with Avios-only flights, every seat on the plane is up for grabs using your points, making it even more tempting to redeem those hard-earned rewards.
The Avios community has been buzzing since the announcement. Many travellers are excited about the news, as it opens up more opportunities to redeem their points and secure reward seats. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the limited route selection and the absence of long-haul options in this initial rollout. A few travellers are feeling a bit underwhelmed with the choice of just two short-haul routes, particularly as popular long-haul destinations like South Africa and the Caribbean remain off the Avios-only menu for now.
Despite these concerns, there's a strong sense of optimism and hope among the community. Travellers are eagerly awaiting future expansions of the programme, with fingers crossed for more routes to be added, including those in-demand long-haul destinations. As British Airways continues to explore this new venture, we'll be keeping a keen eye on any developments and sharing them with you.
British Airways has hinted that these initial flights are just the beginning, sparking curiosity and anticipation among Avios collectors. With the potential for more routes to be introduced, the sky's the limit (pun intended) when it comes to expanding this new initiative.
As the programme evolves, we could see more short-haul routes being added to the mix or even the introduction of high-demand long-haul routes. This would be a game-changer for travellers eager to redeem their points for dream destinations that are often challenging to book with reward seats.
To make the most of this exciting development, it's essential to stay informed about the latest announcements and updates from British Airways. Stay alert to news from the airline and, of course, check back with us regularly. We'll make sure to share all the details on any new Avios-only flight routes as soon as they're announced, helping you plan your next adventure and book a reward flight with Avios.
Also consider signing up with our BA Avios flight finder tool, Reward Flight Finder (RFF). The platform is designed to make finding and booking reward flights a breeze, even for those new to the world of loyalty programmes. By joining, you'll gain access to valuable tools and insider tips that can help turn your hard-earned Avios into unforgettable travel experiences. Sign up today.
