British Airways is switching up the London airport that four major routes depart from, starting this October.

The four destinations affected are: Costa Rica (San Jose), Tampa, Fuerteventura, and Innsbruck.

The news will be particularly important for UK tourists heading to Fuerteventura, as latest official figures show that 576,338 Brits visited the Canary Islands in July alone.

It means that British tourists accounted for 37% of all tourists visiting the islands during that month.

So, if you’re heading off to any of these destinations in the coming months, you might want to triple check where you’re leaving from — or risk missing your flight.

BA, which flies to over 200 destinations, are also set to introduce brand new routes this autumn and winter, including a seasonal route to Finland, just in time for the festive season.

Here’s everything you need to know…

What changes are coming at London airports?

  • Costa Rica (San Jose) (October 25) – flights will depart from London Heathrow instead of London Gatwick (one-way from £696)
  • Tampa, Florida (October)
- flights will depart from London Heathrow instead of London Gatwick (one-way from £729)
  • Fuerteventura, Spain (December 13)

- flights will depart from London Heathrow instead of London Gatwick(one-way from £118)
  • Innsbruck, Austria (December 7) 
- flights will depart from London Gatwick instead of London Heathrow (one-way from £70)

What happens if you’ve already booked your flight?

Metro contacted British Airways, to ask what this means for travellers who already have a flight booked.

British Airways said: ‘We’ve given customers travelling with us advance notice of some minor adjustments to a small number of our services this winter.

‘We’re focused on making sure we’re flying to where our customers want to travel to this winter, and affected customers have been offered rebooking options on an alternative flight, or a full refund.’

Tampa and Costa Rica changes were communicated in March, and Fuerteventura and Innsbruck in July, giving over five months notice.

How much is a round trip?

  • A return trip for one person, from October 14 to 21, Economy Standard from London Heathrow to San Jose starts from £934.49.
  • A return trip for one person, from October 14 to 21, Economy Standard from London Heathrow to Tampa starts from £648.
  • A return trip for one person, from December 17 to 24, Economy Plus (this flight does not offer Standard), from London Heathrow to Fuerteventura starts from £270.95.
  • A return trip for one person, from December 22 to 29, Economy Plus (this flight does not offer Standard), from London Gatwick to Innsbruck starts from £275.10.

What other changes are coming for British Airways?

Airport switches aren’t the only changes coming to the airline, with BA set to unveil several changes happening this year and one to look forward to next year too.

  • From October, BA will be flying direct three times a week from London Gatwick to Sri Lanka.
  • New flights to Barbados from London Gatwick, alongside the existing London Heathrow departures, will launch from October.
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Cologne, Germany, will relaunch from November.
  • Flights to Graz, Austria, will launch from November.
  • Flights to Rabat, Morocco, will launch twice weekly from November.
  • Flights twice a week from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi, Finland throughout December, including Christmas Eve.
  • Flights to Melbourne, Australia will launch in January 2027.

Fancy visiting these spots? Check out Metro’s reviews

Social Video Producer Catriona Walsh visited Barbados, calling it a true ‘paradise.’

Metro columnist Adam Miller visited Sri Lanka last year, and saw ‘once-in-a-lifetime sunrises.’

Video Editor Chris Rickett visited Rovaniemi and calls it ‘one of Europe’s best-kept secrets’

Travel writer Laura Millar shares her ultimate guide to Melbourne and why Tampa deserves a spot on your travel list.

Check out Lifestyle Reporter Eleanor Noyce’s guide to Rabat, Morocco and Senior Lifestyle Reporter Alice Gidding’s guide to Fuerteventura, Spain’s ‘mini Maldives.’

Ever thought of living off-grid in Costa Rica? Metro interviewed a woman who does, and she hosts retreats so you can experience it too. Costa Rica was also crowned travel writer Lydia Swinscoes’ favourite 5-star hotel, if off-grid living isn’t for you.

Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing [email protected]


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