Seven New Global Routes Added by London Heathrow Airport

London Heathrow Airport is expanding its global network with seven new long-haul routes spanning Asia, North America, and Australia.

Heathrow currently holds its position as Europe’s busiest airport for international departures, outpacing rival hubs in Paris, Frankfurt, and Istanbul. The airport’s latest route additions build on that capacity by tapping into both established trunk routes and destination corridors.

British Airways Returns to Melbourne and Expands North American Reach

British Airways is reviving its route to Australia’s second-largest city after a two-decade absence. The carrier will launch a daily one-stop service to Melbourne Airport via Kuala Lumpur starting in January 2027, utilizing a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. British Airways previously served Melbourne until 2006 through a routing via Singapore Changi Airport.

The Melbourne route becomes the airline’s second destination in Oceania, joining its existing daily Sydney service via Singapore. Meanwhile, Qantas Airways is also slated to begin daily one-stop flights to London via Perth International Airport this October using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

In North America, British Airways introduced a four-weekly service to Lambert St. Louis International Airport in April using a Boeing 787-8, with plans to scale the connection to a daily frequency next year. The airline is also transferring its San Jose, Costa Rica route from Gatwick to Heathrow, operating up to five flights per week starting October 25.

Virgin Atlantic and International Carriers Introduce New Connections

Virgin Atlantic is adding a new route from Heathrow to Phuket, marking the first time the Thai destination is served directly from the airport. Set to launch on October 18, the service will operate three times a week on a Boeing 787-9. TUI Airways currently maintains a nonstop flight to Phuket from London Gatwick, making Virgin the second airline to offer the route from the Greater London area.

Asian carriers are also reestablishing and expanding their presence at Heathrow. Pakistan International Airlines resumed operations to the airport in March following the lifting of regulatory bans related to pilot license safety concerns. The airline now operates flights from Lahore twice weekly and Islamabad up to five times a week using Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.

Rounding out the additions, XiamenAir launched its first regular operations connecting Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport to London Heathrow. The Chinese carrier runs the route up to three times weekly using a Boeing 787-9.