United Kingdom’s British Airways Expands Avios-Only Network With Spain and France Getaways From London City

A new chapter in European leisure travel has been shaped by British Airways, as the United Kingdom flag carrier has expanded its distinctive Avios-Only program with fresh summer services linking London City Airport to destinations in Spain and France. The move has been positioned as both a celebration and a strategic enhancement of loyalty-driven travel, as the airline prepares to operate its 50th Avios-Only flight since the concept was introduced in 2023. Exclusive reward-seat operations to Madrid in Spain and Toulon Hyères Airport in France are being made available solely to members of The British Airways Club, reinforcing the airline’s focus on strengthening customer engagement within the United Kingdom and across Europe.

By dedicating entire aircraft to Avios redemptions, access to high-demand seasonal destinations has been widened for frequent flyers. The initiative has been carefully timed to coincide with peak summer demand, including the late May bank holiday in the United Kingdom and early summer leisure travel toward the French Riviera. Through this approach, loyalty members are being offered increased flexibility, predictable pricing, and enhanced travel opportunities to Spain and France without the traditional competition for limited reward inventory.

New Avios-Only Services to Spain and France

The newly announced services from London City Airport will connect travelers directly with Madrid in Spain and Toulon Hyères Airport in southern France. Both routes are being operated as fully Avios-Only flights, meaning that every seat onboard is allocated exclusively for redemption using Avios points.

The Madrid service has been scheduled to operate over the late May bank holiday weekend. Flight BA3272 is set to depart London City at 11:00 on May 22, 2026, arriving in Madrid at 14:20. The return service, BA3273, is planned to depart Madrid at 15:10 on May 25, landing back in the United Kingdom at 16:30.

Return fares to Spain are being offered from £2 plus 28,000 Avios in Euro Traveller, or £30 plus 49,000 Avios in Club Europe. The Spanish capital continues to attract leisure travelers from the United Kingdom due to its renowned cultural institutions, culinary heritage, and vibrant city atmosphere, making it a strategic addition to the Avios-Only portfolio.

Meanwhile, the service to Toulon will operate between June 13 and June 20, 2026. Flight BA8747 is scheduled to depart London City at 07:00, arriving in France at 10:00. The return BA8748 will depart Toulon at 10:45 and arrive back in London at 11:50.

Return fares to France begin at £2 plus 21,500 Avios in Euro Traveller, or £30 plus 36,000 Avios in Club Europe. With its proximity to Saint-Tropez and the wider French Riviera, Toulon provides direct access to one of France’s most desirable summer regions.

Marking the 50th Avios-Only Milestone

The return Madrid operation in May will represent the 50th Avios-Only flight since the program’s introduction in 2023. The initiative has been steadily expanded across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East, with 48 services already operated to 16 destinations.

Previous Avios-Only destinations have included Cape Town in South Africa, Barbados in the Caribbean, Málaga in Spain, Marrakesh in Morocco, and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt. These routes have demonstrated the airline’s commitment to combining aspirational travel markets with loyalty-driven access.

Both BA Cityflyer and BA Euroflyer operations have contributed to the Avios-Only count, underlining the broader strategy within the United Kingdom aviation market to deepen loyalty engagement during peak travel seasons. By structuring entire flights around redemption availability, competition for reward seats has been significantly reduced for eligible members.

How Avios-Only Flights Differ

On standard short-haul services from Heathrow and Gatwick in the United Kingdom, at least 12 reward seats are guaranteed. On London City routes, a minimum of four reward seats is typically made available.

However, Avios-Only services differ fundamentally because 100 percent of seats are allocated for redemption. This framework increases certainty for loyalty members seeking to use their Avios during high-demand periods to destinations such as Spain and France. Predictable redemption pricing also enables clearer planning for summer travel.

Each Avios-Only ticket includes a 23kg checked baggage allowance, further enhancing the appeal for leisure travelers departing from the United Kingdom for Mediterranean destinations.

Expansion of The British Airways Club

The expansion of Avios-Only services has been aligned with the broader growth of The British Airways Club, which continues to broaden earning and redemption opportunities across multiple markets. Members are able to collect Avios not only through flights with partner airlines, but also via spending with over 2,000 retail partners and financial collaborators such as American Express and Nectar.

Customers holding a British Airways American Express Credit Card are permitted to apply Companion Vouchers on Avios-Only bookings. Through this benefit, a second passenger may travel without additional Avios expenditure, subject to applicable taxes and charges.

The Avios currency is managed by IAG Loyalty, supporting more than 69 million members globally. Its parent organization, International Airlines Group, operates more than 600 aircraft and carries over 122 million passengers annually to approximately 260 destinations worldwide.

Strategic Focus on Leisure Markets in Europe

The selection of Madrid in Spain and Toulon in France reflects a continued emphasis on leisure-oriented routes from London City. Spain remains one of the most visited countries by travelers from the United Kingdom, while France continues to hold strong appeal for summer coastal holidays.

By dedicating entire aircraft to Avios redemptions, stronger engagement with frequent flyers has been fostered while seasonal capacity has been optimized. The concept also reinforces London City Airport’s role as a convenient departure point for business and leisure passengers in the United Kingdom.

As demand for experiential travel grows across Europe, loyalty-focused initiatives such as Avios-Only flights are being positioned as both a marketing differentiator and a revenue-supporting mechanism. The allocation of full aircraft to redemption inventory has provided a controlled yet customer-centric approach to loyalty fulfillment.

Strengthening Loyalty Across the United Kingdom and Beyond

Through the introduction of new services to Spain and France, the airline’s Avios-Only model has been further embedded within its summer schedule. The milestone 50th operation underscores how loyalty strategy has evolved into a central pillar of route planning and seasonal network development.

With Spain and France added to the 2026 Avios-Only calendar, members of The British Airways Club in the United Kingdom are being offered enhanced access to high-demand European destinations. The approach demonstrates how loyalty programs are increasingly being used not merely as supplementary benefits, but as core operational strategies within modern aviation.

As summer approaches, the expansion of Avios-Only services is expected to generate strong interest among frequent flyers seeking reliable redemption options for travel across Europe.