British Airways will start flying nonstop from Tampa International Airport to London’s Heathrow Airport on Oct. 25. Dreamliner jets will carry passengers on this run. The airline currently flies into London’s Gatwick Airport but will make the switch later this year.
Heathrow opens up connections. Travelers can catch flights to Europe, Asia, and Africa without switching London airports — a major time-saver for anyone heading past the United Kingdom, per That’s So Tampa.
American Airlines passengers can book seats on this run because the two carriers work together. Virgin Atlantic, which also lands at Heathrow, teams up with Delta instead. Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner gives riders better seats and air quality than older planes, no matter where you sit.
Heathrow dwarfs Gatwick. It’s a bigger airport that moves more travelers between countries and gets you into central London faster.
Virgin Atlantic was already taking Tampa passengers to London before British Airways announced this service. The day before, Breeze had revealed new nonstop runs from TPA to Costa Rica and Punta Cana.
Tampa Bay travelers now have more ways to cross the Atlantic. Two carriers compete for business, and fliers can pick based on which airline rewards program they use.
Miles matter when you book through partner airlines. Switching London airports might save hours for anyone catching connecting flights to other continents.
Tickets went on sale when British Airways made the announcement. Planes will start flying this route in October.