British Airways Avios Only Flights: Routes, Prices and Booking

What You Should Know

• Every Seat Is a Reward Seat: British Airways Avios-Only flights initially reserve all seats for Avios redemptions, giving you more opportunities to book economy or business class during popular travel periods.
• 2027 Routes Are Already Announced: Dedicated flights to Majorca and Crete depart London Heathrow on August 14, 2027, with return services on August 21. Availability remains subject to seats selling out.
• Prices Start at 28,000 Avios: Majorca return flights start at 28,000 Avios + £5 in economy, while Crete starts at 33,500 Avios + £5. Business class requires more points.
• Companion Vouchers Can Reduce Costs: Eligible British Airways American Express Companion Vouchers can cover a second traveler’s Avios fare or provide a 50% Avios discount for solo bookings, with applicable cash charges remaining.
• Availability Doesn’t Guarantee Value: Before redeeming, compare the cash fare, Avios requirement, and additional charges. A flight with more available reward seats isn’t necessarily your best points redemption.

You have thousands of Avios points ready for your next trip, but the reward seats you want are unavailable. What if you could book a flight where every seat, including business class, is reserved for Avios redemptions?

That’s what British Airways Avios only flights offer. Unlike regular services with limited reward seats, these dedicated flights make entire aircraft available for points bookings. With new routes to Majorca and Crete announced for 2027, you have more opportunities to use your Avios.

Here’s what you need to know about routes, prices, availability, and booking.

What Are British Airways Avios Only Flights?

British Airways Avios only flights are dedicated services where every seat is initially reserved for redemption using Avios points. Introduced in 2023, these flights give British Airways Club members more opportunities to book popular destinations using their accumulated rewards.

Here’s what distinguishes these flights:

• Exclusive Redemption: You must use Avios to book these dedicated services during their initial availability period.
• Cabin Selection: You can book economy or business class, depending on the aircraft configuration and remaining seats.
• Membership Requirement: You must belong to The British Airways Club to access the dedicated reward inventory.
• Additional Charges: You still pay the applicable cash component alongside your Avios.

How Are Avios Only Flights Different From Regular Reward Flights?

Both options let you book flights using Avios, but their reward-seat allocations differ. Regular British Airways flights offer a limited number of reward seats, while dedicated Avios Only services initially reserve their entire seat inventory for redemption.

Feature	Avios Only Flights	Regular Reward Flights
Reward seats	Initially every seat	Limited allocation
Routes	Selected departures	Wider network
Pricing	Standard reward rates	Standard reward rates
Booking	BA reward booking	BA reward booking
Availability	Limited scheduled services	Varies by flight

For more details about the program, see this British Airways Avios guide.

Which British Airways Avios Only Flights Routes Are Available in 2026 and 2027?

British Airways announces Avios Only routes periodically, usually targeting popular vacation destinations during busy travel periods. British Airways Avios only flights do not operate as a permanent, year-round network, so you should distinguish announced departures from historical routes.

British Airways Avios Only Flights 2027: New Routes and Dates

British Airways announced two Mediterranean destinations for August 2027, both departing from London Heathrow. The services opened for booking on October 22, 2026.

The confirmed schedule is:

Route	Departure	Return
Heathrow to Palma, Majorca	August 14, 2027	August 21, 2027
Heathrow to Heraklion, Crete	August 14, 2027	August 21, 2027

Both routes offer economy and business class redemptions, subject to remaining availability.

These British Airways Avios only flights 2027 routes are particularly relevant if you’re planning a weeklong summer vacation.

British Airways Avios Only Flights 2026: Previous Destinations

British Airways Avios only flights 2026 announcements included destinations such as Reykjavík, Iceland, and Tenerife, Spain, for the October half-term travel period.

When reviewing previous British Airways Avios only flights destinations, remember:

• Previous Routes: An earlier destination does not guarantee another dedicated service.
• Travel Dates: Historical announcements may remain online after their scheduled departures.
• New Releases: Monitor British Airways Club announcements and app notifications for additional routes.

How Much Do British Airways Avios Only Flights Cost?

British Airways Avios only flights prices depend on the destination, cabin, and applicable reward pricing. These dedicated services use standard Reward Flight rates rather than a separate discounted fare structure.

The published return prices for August 2027 are:

Destination	Economy Return	Business Return
Majorca	28,000 Avios + £5	49,000 Avios + £40
Crete	33,500 Avios + £5	60,000 Avios + £40

These prices were announced by British Airways in October 2026 and represent the specified return itineraries.

Before redeeming your points, consider:

• Peak and Off-Peak Pricing: Standard reward rates vary by travel date, route, and distance.
• Cabin Differences: Club Europe requires more Avios than Euro Traveller but offers business class benefits.
• Taxes and Fees: The displayed cash payment forms part of the redemption cost.
• Alternative Payments: Eligible Reward Flight bookings may offer different Avios-plus-cash combinations.

For broader pricing comparisons, consult the British Airways Award Chart 2026.

How to Book British Airways Avios Only Flights: Step-by-Step

Booking British Airways Avios only flights follows the airline’s standard reward booking process. However, you must select the correct departure date and flight because regular cash services may operate on the same route.

Follow these five steps:

1. Sign In to Your Account: Visit British Airways and log in using your British Airways Club credentials. Check your available Avios balance.
2. Identify the Dedicated Flight: Review the latest Avios Only announcement and note the destination, departure date, and flight number.
3. Search for Reward Availability: Select the option to book flights using Avios. Enter your route, travel dates, and passenger count.
4. Choose Your Cabin: Select Euro Traveller or Club Europe, review the Avios requirement, and apply an eligible voucher if available.
5. Complete Your Reservation: Confirm passenger details, check the cash charges and booking conditions, and finalize payment.

You can also use Flightpoints’ British Airways award search to explore Avios availability and alternative travel dates. Confirm dedicated Avios Only flight inventory through British Airways before booking.

What Rules Apply to British Airways Avios Only Flights?

British Airways Avios only flights follow many standard Reward Flight conditions, including eligibility requirements and restrictions on changes. Understanding these conditions helps you avoid problems when coordinating your trip.

Important rules include:

• Eligibility: Dedicated flights are initially available to British Airways Club members booking eligible direct journeys.
• One-Way Bookings: You can book one leg on an Avios Only service and return using another eligible Reward Flight.
• Companion Vouchers: Eligible British Airways American Express Companion Vouchers can reduce the Avios required for qualifying bookings.
• Cabin Upgrades: Eligible Barclays and British Airways upgrade vouchers may be used, subject to their conditions.
• Baggage Allowance: Reward tickets include one checked bag weighing up to 23 kg.
• Cancellation: Eligible cancellations made at least 24 hours before departure generally receive an Avios refund, subject to a £35 service fee.
• Booking Restrictions: You cannot combine a reward flight and a commercial cash ticket within the same booking.

Always review the terms attached to your reservation before confirming.

Are British Airways Avios Only Flights Worth Booking?

British Airways Avios only flights can make reward seats easier to access, particularly when you’re traveling with family or booking during peak vacation periods. However, availability alone doesn’t guarantee strong redemption value.

Calculate the value of your points using:

Redemption Value = (Comparable Cash Fare − Reward Cash Charges) ÷ Avios Used

For example, suppose a comparable ticket costs £400, while your reward requires 28,000 Avios plus £5.

• Cash Savings: £400 − £5 = £395.
• Value Per Avios: £395 ÷ 28,000 = £0.0141.
• Redemption Value: Approximately 1.41 pence per Avios.

This hypothetical calculation helps you compare your options. You can also use the Points or Cash Calculator to evaluate your redemption.

How Can Flightpoints Help You Find Better Uses for Your Points?

Finding a seat on British Airways Avios only flights is useful, but what if another airline offers a better redemption for your destination? Checking alternatives becomes especially important when you have transferable credit card points.

Flightpoints helps you compare award flight availability across supported airlines and loyalty programs.

You can use it to:

• Compare Award Options: Search available flights across supported programs before committing your points.
• Evaluate Premium Cabins: Check business class redemption opportunities against economy bookings.
• Assess Point Transfers: Compare airline redemption options before transferring eligible Chase, Amex, or Capital One rewards.
• Monitor Availability: Use award flight alerts to track supported routes when suitable reward seats are unavailable.

You can then make your reservation through the relevant airline.

Final Thoughts: Should You Book an Avios Only Flight?

British Airways Avios only flights give you an additional opportunity to redeem points on popular routes, but the best booking depends on your dates, cabin preferences, and redemption value.

Before booking:

• Check Availability: Confirm that your preferred dedicated flight still has reward seats.
• Compare Costs: Evaluate the Avios requirement, cash charges, and alternative fares.
• Consider Flexibility: Check whether your travel plans accommodate the scheduled departure dates.

Want to find valuable reward flights without spending hours comparing programs? Get Flightpoints Pro to explore advanced award searches, compare redemption options, and monitor seat availability.

FAQs

1. Can You Book British Airways Avios Only Flights With Cash?
Not during the exclusive booking period. You must redeem Avios and pay the applicable taxes and charges. British Airways may later release unsold seats for ordinary cash bookings, but that decision depends on the particular flight.

2. When Does British Airways Announce New Avios Only Flights?
British Airways has no fixed public release calendar for these services. It announces new destinations through official Club updates and its app. Enable notifications and review announcements regularly, particularly before popular school vacation and holiday travel periods.

3. Can You Book Avios Only Flights for Family Members?
Yes. You can redeem Avios for eligible family members and other travelers, subject to British Airways Club booking rules. If you hold a qualifying Companion Voucher, you may also reduce the Avios required for a companion booking.

4. What Happens When All Avios Only Reward Seats Sell Out?
If a dedicated service sells out, its advertised reward seats are no longer available. Search different dates or standard British Airways Reward Flights, and compare alternative airline redemptions before transferring additional credit card points to Avios.

5. Can You Change or Cancel a British Airways Avios Only Flight?
Yes, subject to the ticket rules and available replacement seats. Eligible cancellations at least 24 hours before departure generally incur a £35 service fee. Changes may also carry fees and require additional Avios if the new flight costs more.

6. Can You Use an American Express Companion Voucher on Avios Only Flights?
Yes, where the voucher’s terms and eligible cabin allow it. For two travelers, a qualifying voucher covers the companion’s Avios fare, while cash charges remain payable for both. Eligible solo travelers can receive a 50% Avios discount.