British Airways Expands Southeast Asia Reach with Five New Destinations
British Airways has increased its reach to five new Southeast Asian destinations from London through an increased flight schedule and an expanded codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways. This expansion gives customers more travel options in the region.
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the increase in flights to Bangkok from London and analyse whether you should book flights with Avios.
What is Codesharing, and How Does it Work?
Have you ever reached the airport check-in desk only to find that the airline operating your flight is different from the one you purchased your ticket from? This happens when both airlines have a codeshare agreement in place.
Codesharing enables airlines to collaborate with partner carriers to provide flights to destinations they don’t directly serve. This practice extends flight options without the need for more planes or routes. It’s an economical solution for airlines to broaden their network and keep passengers happy by providing more travel choices and streamlining aspects like booking, check-in, baggage, and connecting flights.
British Airways’ Expanded Route
British Airways announced this year that it will return to its direct route from London Gatwick to Bangkok on 28 October 2024. As of this week, the airline has announced that it will increase its number of flights to Bangkok from London from three to up to five times per week between January and March 2025.
The expanded flight options between London and Bangkok now make several popular South Asian destinations more accessible. British Airways passengers can now connect from Bangkok to the following five destinations in Thailand and Cambodia:
- Phuket, Thailand
- Koh Samui,, Thailand
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
Thanks to the codeshare agreement, travellers can book a single ticket from London Gatwick to these locations with a stopover in Bangkok. This allows for more flexibility in choosing travel dates and simplifies the journey to these well-known holiday spots.
Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, said, “In October, we will be operating our first direct flight to Thailand in more than four years, so it’s a highly anticipated return to our global network. We’re pleased to be working with Bangkok Airways to offer more choices and make these sought-after holiday destinations more accessible.”
Mr. Chulin Kocharoen, Vice President of Network and Product Development at Bangkok Airways PLC shared the sentiment: “We’re pleased to expand this codeshare partnership with British Airways. This collaboration strengthens our respective route networks and offers travellers unprecedented and convenient access to new gateways.”
Bangkok Airways, also known as Asia’s Boutique Airline, flies extensively within Thailand and to several international destinations, including Cambodia, Hong Kong, the Maldives, Laos, and Singapore. The airline uses over 20 aircraft, each uniquely painted to reflect the various exotic locations it serves.
Booking Flights with Avios
For travellers looking to book flights with Avios, it gets even better. As an Executive Club member, you can earn Avios and Tier points on every British Airways codeshare flight operated by Bangkok Airways.
Avios and Tier points can later be used to pay for Reward Flights or upgrades. Other benefits include using Avios to book hotel stays, car hire, access airport lounges, and get free seat selection through Tier points.
Final Thoughts
The new codeshare expansion simplifies travel to Thailand and provides British Airways passengers with more flexibility. It also broadens travel options across other parts of Southeast Asia, making it a smart choice for those looking to maximise their Avios points. As these destinations become more accessible, Executive Club members have even more incentive to choose British Airways for their travel needs.
