British Airways summer 2027: Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar, daily Buenos Aires, more St. Louis and Cincinnati

British Airways has set out its summer 2027 network. The headline news is two new destinations in Tanzania. BA is also growing Latin America capacity by 25% and adding flights on two newer US routes.

Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar from Gatwick

BA will fly from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro (JRO) and Zanzibar (ZNZ) from May 29 to October 31, 2027. The flights form a triangle. The jet flies Gatwick to Kilimanjaro, then on to Zanzibar, and then back to Gatwick.

• Three flights a week. Outbound flights to Kilimanjaro leave on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• Return flights from Zanzibar leave on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
• A Boeing 777 with Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller cabins.
• Return fares start at £849, with taxes and fees included.

That routing lets you pair a safari or a mountain climb with a beach week on one ticket. Fly into Kilimanjaro and home from Zanzibar.

Latin America and the Caribbean

From March 28, 2027, BA's summer seat capacity to Latin America grows by 25%.

• Heathrow–Buenos Aires (EZE): a new daily nonstop. The flight continues to Santiago, Chile.
• Heathrow–Rio de Janeiro (GIG): still daily, but now a nonstop route of its own. It no longer stops in Buenos Aires.
• Heathrow–San José, Costa Rica: now year-round at three flights a week. It used to run in winter only.
• Gatwick–Barbados: now daily all year, with onward flights to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago.
• Gatwick–St Lucia: four flights a week as its own route. The other island stops now connect through Barbados.

More flights to Cape Town and Las Vegas

Heathrow–Cape Town rises to 10 flights a week in summer. Heathrow–Las Vegas goes from 13 to 14 flights a week.

St. Louis gets 80% more seats

BA launched its Heathrow–St. Louis route in April 2026. It is the only UK airline flying nonstop between the two cities. For summer 2027, BA is adding more than 35,400 seats, an 80% rise on summer 2026.

• Five flights a week from March 28, 2027.
• Daily from April 19 to June 28, and again from September 6 to October 30.
• Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 jets.

Flight BA221 leaves Heathrow at 4:30 p.m. most days and lands in St. Louis at 7:30 p.m. The return, BA220, leaves St. Louis at 9:25 p.m. and lands at Heathrow at 11:35 a.m. the next day. On Mondays and Saturdays in the peak weeks, both flights leave earlier.

BA's newest business seat, the Club Suite, is on some flights. It has a flat bed, direct aisle access and a 17-inch screen. BA is also adding free Starlink Wi-Fi to its 787 fleet.

"We're delighted to be significantly growing our presence in St. Louis for Summer 2027," said Hubert Frach, BA's Head of Sales for North America.

Cincinnati goes daily in peak weeks

BA's Cincinnati route launched in 2023. In summer 2027 it goes daily from April 22 to June 24 and from September 9 to October 28. It also uses the Boeing 787, with all three cabins.

"We're pleased to be expanding our Cincinnati service to London Heathrow for Summer 2027," said Neil Chernoff, BA's Chief Planning and Strategy Officer.

Routes already announced

Two other new routes start sooner. Gatwick–Colombo, Sri Lanka, starts October 23, 2026. Heathrow–Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur starts January 9, 2027.

What it means for travelers

Summer 2027 tickets are on sale at ba.com. If you fly from St. Louis or Cincinnati, the peak-week daily flights give you more choice of travel days. Check which days have the Club Suite before you book business class.

Plan your airport time with our guides to St. Louis, Cincinnati, Heathrow, Gatwick, Buenos Aires Ezeiza and Rio de Janeiro.

"By increasing frequencies and extending seasonal services, we're giving customers more choice and flexibility," said Chernoff.

Sources: British Airways, September 17, 2026; British Airways, September 22, 2026; FOX19, September 22, 2026