The number of British Airways flights from London to African gateways has been restored to pre-pandemic levels and the airline is now expanding its services to the continent.

BA operates daily flights from Heathrow to Abuja, Accra, Nairobi and Lagos and double-daily services to Johannesburg. It also offers an expanded double-daily service to Cape Town over the city’s summer peak season, reverting to daily in winter.

Additionally, there are three weekly services from Gatwick, London’s second largest international airport, to Mauritius. There are also three seasonal weekly flights to Cape Town, over and above the Heathrow schedule.

New routes

Now, the carrier has announced a new route from Gatwick to Accra, starting on October 29, bringing the total number of weekly flights between the UK and Ghana to 10.

In addition, it has added a new route to Egypt, Sharm El-Sheikh, and doubled the number of flights to Cairo.

New partnerships

The airline has also forged new partnerships on the continent, including a codeshare with South Africa’s Airlink, which offers customers connectivity to 18 destinations in southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands.

In north Africa, Royal Air Maroc has joined the oneworld alliance, opening up routes across Morocco, including Casablanca and Agadir, as well as providing more flight flexibility between London Heathrow and Marrakesh. Customers can also earn and redeem Avios on oneworld’s newest partner.

Another partnership providing African travellers with access to more schedules, price points and a greater choice of direct and connecting flights is the expanded partnership between Qatar Airways and British Airways. The two airlines now offer customers a network that spans 185 destinations in more than 60 countries.

“Restoring our Africa route network has given us an opportunity to introduce new aircraft, routes, products and partnerships, providing customers with more flexibility, choice and an enhanced travel experience,” said Moran Birger, British Airways Head of Sales for Africa, Middle East and South Asia.

Other new additions

On board, the latest business-class seat, the Club Suite, is available on Abuja, Accra, Cape Town and Lagos flights. The suite offers direct aisle access and a door for greater privacy. It also comes with 40% more storage, including a vanity unit and mirror.

As with all Club World cabins, customers receive a plush pillow and warm quilt from The White Company, an amenity kit, and a premium dining experience with seasonal menus of British cuisine.

The airline recently appointed its first full-time Master of Wine, Tim Jackson, bringing his knowledge and expertise to further elevate British Airways’ range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

Customers will also soon start to see the new British Airways’ uniform as cabin crew, pilots and check-in agents switch over from their current Julien MacDonald uniforms. Designed by British, Ghanaian Saville Row fashion designer and tailor, Ozwald Boateng OBE, it is the airline’s first new uniform to be unveiled in 20 years.

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