British Airways has unveiled plans to expand its India network, announcing a third daily service between London Heathrow and Delhi from 2026, subject to regulatory and capacity approvals.
The move comes as the airline reaffirmed its strategic commitment to the Indian market during the UK Government’s ‘Britain Means Business’ trade mission, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The announcement coincided with a high-profile charter flight to Mumbai, carrying over 130 senior UK business leaders and government ministers. The delegation’s visit follows the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and India in July, aimed at unlocking new commercial opportunities and strengthening bilateral ties.
British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle, who joined the mission, said: “We’ve been steadily increasing capacity between the UK and India over the years, and we’re now operating 56 direct services to five Indian cities each week. The Free Trade Agreement will accelerate economic momentum, and British Airways is proud to be at the heart of that growth.”
In addition to the new Delhi frequency, the airline will reintroduce its First cabin on flights to Mumbai this month, and roll out its latest Club Suite business class product across all five Indian routes by the end of 2026. The enhancements are part of British Airways’ £7 billion transformation programme, which includes refreshed lounges, upgraded short-haul seating, and complimentary onboard Wi-Fi messaging.
British Airways also marked 20 years of service to Bangalore this month, underscoring its long-standing presence in the region. India now represents the airline’s largest market outside the United States, with nearly 1.5 million seats operated annually.
To support travellers requiring additional assistance, British Airways has introduced a complimentary Meet and Assist service across its Indian gateways. Since launching in March, the service has supported over 5,500 customers, with trained staff fluent in Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu and Tamil.
Prime Minister Starmer praised the airline’s role in fostering UK–India relations: “British Airways has been connecting our nations for over a century. As our landmark trade deal opens new doors for business, the national flag carrier will be instrumental in delivering growth and opportunity.”
The airline’s cargo division, IAG Cargo, also reported a 14% year-on-year increase in UK–India freight volumes, supporting exports ranging from Scottish whisky and automotive parts to advanced medical technologies.
As trade and travel between the UK and India continue to flourish, British Airways’ expanded schedule and service upgrades position it as a key enabler of business mobility and cross-border collaboration.