British Airways is expanding its loyalty-driven travel strategy with the launch of two new Avios-Only routes from London City Airport, marking a significant milestone for the airline’s reward-seat program. The new services to Madrid and Toulon Hyères Airport will operate during the 2026 summer season and represent the carrier’s 50th Avios-Only flight since the concept was introduced in 2023.
The announcement underscores British Airways’ continued focus on leveraging its loyalty ecosystem to stimulate demand during peak leisure periods while offering members greater certainty and access to reward seats.
Avios-Only Flights Expand From London City
The latest Avios-Only flights will operate exclusively from London City Airport, a base primarily served by BA Cityflyer. Seats on both routes will be available only to members of The British Airways Club starting February 12, 2026.
Fares begin at £2 plus Avios, reinforcing the airline’s aim to position these services as high-value redemption opportunities. Each ticket includes a 23kg checked baggage allowance, aligning with the benefits typically offered on standard British Airways short-haul services.
The two destinations—Madrid and Toulon—were selected to appeal to leisure travelers seeking short European breaks with convenient schedules and nonstop access from central London.
Madrid Service Targets Late May Bank Holiday Travel
The Madrid Avios-Only service will operate over the late May bank holiday weekend, a popular period for short city breaks. Flight BA3272 is scheduled to depart London City at 11:00 on May 22, 2026, arriving in Madrid at 14:20. The return service, BA3273, will leave Madrid at 15:10 on May 25 and arrive back in London at 16:30.
Return fares for Madrid start from £2 and 28,000 Avios in Euro Traveller, while Club Europe redemptions are available from £30 and 49,000 Avios. The route is aimed at travelers looking to explore one of Europe’s major cultural and culinary capitals without relying on cash fares during a high-demand holiday period.
Toulon Route Opens Access to the French Riviera
The Toulon Avios-Only service will operate from June 13 to June 20, 2026, offering direct access to southern France and the wider French Riviera. Flight BA8747 will depart London City at 07:00, arriving in Toulon at 10:00. The return flight, BA8748, is scheduled to leave at 10:45 and land back in London at 11:50.
Return fares to Toulon begin at £2 and 21,500 Avios in Euro Traveller, or £30 and 36,000 Avios in Club Europe. The destination provides convenient access to coastal resorts and nearby Saint-Tropez, positioning the service as a summer-focused leisure option.
How the Avios-Only Concept Works
Unlike standard reward-seat availability, Avios-Only flights allocate 100 percent of seats onboard for redemption using Avios. Customers can book in either Euro Traveller or Club Europe cabins through the airline’s website at fixed redemption rates.
British Airways typically guarantees a minimum number of reward seats on all flights across its network. On short-haul routes from Heathrow and Gatwick, at least 12 reward seats are offered, while London City services guarantee four. Avios-Only flights go further by dedicating the entire aircraft to loyalty redemptions, increasing availability and pricing predictability for members.
A Milestone for British Airways’ Loyalty Strategy
Since launching Avios-Only flights in 2023, British Airways has operated 48 such services to 16 destinations across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Previous routes have included Cape Town, Barbados, Málaga, Marrakesh, and Sharm El Sheikh.
The Madrid service scheduled for May 2026 will officially mark the airline’s 50th Avios-Only flight, including operations by BA Cityflyer and BA Euroflyer. The milestone highlights the airline’s broader strategy to deepen engagement with loyalty members during peak travel windows.
Loyalty Program Growth and Partner Benefits
The British Airways Club continues to expand through airline partnerships and non-flight earning opportunities. Members can collect Avios by flying with partner carriers, shopping with more than 2,000 retailers, or spending with financial partners such as American Express and Nectar.
Customers who hold a British Airways American Express Credit Card can also use Companion Vouchers on Avios-Only flights. These vouchers allow a second passenger to travel for no additional Avios, subject to applicable taxes and charges.
Bottom Line
IAG Loyalty, which manages Avios across multiple airline brands, supports more than 69 million members worldwide. Its parent group, International Airlines Group, operates over 600 aircraft and carries more than 122 million passengers annually to 260 destinations.
By adding Madrid and Toulon as Avios-Only destinations from London City, British Airways is reinforcing its focus on leisure travel while maximizing the appeal of its loyalty currency. The strategy reflects a growing emphasis on using dedicated reward flights to drive engagement and deliver tangible value to frequent flyers.
