What does it mean when a flight is Avios only?
In April 2013 British Airways launched 'Avios-Only' flight. As with a lot of things related to airline points the name can be deceptive. Here's our breakdown:
- Avios-Only flights are pairs of flights where the entire cabin is available to book via Avios
- It does not mean that everyone on the plane will be using Avios (it's possible to book a cash fare as normal)
- You get the same hard and soft product as a normal flight
Normally BA will only guarantee that there are four business class seats (Club World or Club Europe), two premium economy and eight economy seats on every flight. BA offers no guarantees that any first class seats are available for Avios. This is generous compared to other airlines, but there are lots of Avios collectors out there and just not enough reward seats for everyone.
To put this in perspective, the planned Avios-Only flight to Barbados in 2025 releases 400 seats (according to BA) for Avios rewards, when normally there would be a minimum of 14.
"Avios-Only" flights are there to alleviate the problem, at least to an extent.
Where can you fly on Avios-Only flights?
BA decide which flights are Avios-Only and their decisions are strategic, but limited. The very first flight was from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh in November 2023, and they brought the scheme into play on Heathrow to Geneva, with a total of four flights spread out over four weeks in February and March 2024.
The costs to book a single flight to Geneva, for one person, was 18,500 Avios and £1 in economy and 30,000 Avios and £1 in Club Europe.
It would be fair to say that the initial flights were a test of both demand and revenue. There would be no point continuing Avios-Only flights if it was unpopular or unprofitable.
It seems that the test was successful as there have been a regular flow of more Avios-Only flights for 2024 and into 2025, including the first long haul destination (Barbados)
So far there have been no Avios-Only flights from regional airports, but given the limited BA service from outside of London this is not surprising.
Can you use a 2-4-1 voucher with Avios Only flights
Yes, the only difference between Avios-Only flights and regular, bookable flights is there is increased availability. You can use a 2-4-1 voucher from a BA American Express card to reduce the Avios outlay.
2024 & 2025 Avios-Only Flights
If you're not familiar with BA's naming convention for seats, then here's a quick overview:
- Euro Traveller is short-haul economy
- World Traveller is long-haul economy. Seating is virtually identical to short haul economy.
- World Traveller Plus is long-haul premium economy.
- Club Europe is short-haul business class. This is an economy style seat at the front of the plane, with the middle seat between the window and aisle seat blocked out with a table.
- Club World is long-haul business class. This is full-fat business class, with either a Club World seat (an old style seat) or the new and much improved Club Suite, which is an enclosed seat with a door
| From | To | Dates (In / Out) | Prices From |
| 2024 | |||
| Heathrow | Mallorca | 24th Aug, back 31st Aug | Euro Traveller: 25,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 44,500 Avios + £1 |
| Heathrow | Faro | 24th Aug, back 31st Aug | Euro Traveller: 25,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 44,500 Avios + £1 |
| Heathrow | Corfu | 24th Aug, back 31st Aug | Euro Traveller: 30,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 54,500 Avios + £1 |
| London City | Florence | 23rd Aug, back 30th Aug | Euro Traveller: 25,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 44,500 Avios + £1 |
| London City | Ibiza | 23rd Aug, back 30th Aug | Euro Traveller: 25,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 44,500 Avios + £1 |
| 2025 | |||
| Heathrow | Geneva | 22nd Feb, back 1st March | Euro Traveller: 18,500 Avios + £1 Club Europe: 30,000 Avios + £1 |
| Heathrow | Barbados | 15th Feb, back 22nd Feb | World Traveller: 70k Avios + £150 World Traveller Plus: 135k Avios + £330 Club World: 200k Avios + £450 |
Should you try an Avios-Only flight?
Yes but only if you want to visit that destination. If you're looking for a week-long break in Feb 2025 and you like the sound of Barbados then absolutely go for it. Otherwise, the advantage of the Avios Only scheme is that it takes someone else out of the picture for a period of time. We're all competing for flights with a fixed budget of points. If I end up taking a trip to Barbados, that means that I won't be competing against you for other destinations in that same period.
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