Australia’s largest 24-hour gateway will soon be better connected to the United Kingdom and Europe, with British Airways to launch daily flights from Melbourne Airport to London Heathrow Airport in January 2027.
The United Kingdom’s flag carrier will operate daily services from Melbourne to London via Kuala Lumpur from January 11, with a four-class Boeing Dreamliner 787-9, featuring First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins.
The new same-aircraft service will provide travellers and exporters from Victoria, Tasmania, regional New South Wales, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory with a new option to London, as well as onward connections to the oneworld alliance member’s extensive global network.
British Airways has been connecting Australia and the UK for more than 90 years and today flies to more than 200 destinations in more than 75 countries, offering one of the most comprehensive networks in Europe and North America, providing Victorian travellers and exporters with convenient connections to key global markets.
Melbourne Airport Chief Executive Officer Lorie Argus said the announcement underscored Melbourne’s place as Australia’s largest and best connected 24-hour gateway.
“We are thrilled to welcome British Airways back to Melbourne Airport and we’re incredibly excited about what this extra choice means for travellers and exporters,” she said.
“British Airways is one of the world’s most recognisable airlines and in its more than 100 years of flying has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence and reliability.
“With the largest choice of airlines flying to the UK and Europe, 24-hour operations and the shortest minimum connection time of any Australian airport, Melbourne Airport is now the clear choice for Europeans heading to Australia or Australians looking to travel abroad.
“London is one of the world’s great global cities and a critical hub for business, tourism and education, while Melbourne was last week voted Time Out’s “best city in the world” as well as being home to the largest British expat community in Australia, so there will be no shortage of two-way demand.
“The average daily international service injects around $190 million into the Victorian economy each year, which is why it’s so important that we continue to attract and support more services such as this to Melbourne.
“That’s why we last month we confirmed plans for a $4.5 billion expansion of our international terminal alongside construction our third runway, both of which will increase capacity and help provide international travellers and exporters with greater choice.”
British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer Neil Chernoff said the airline was confident the new route would prove popular with customers.
“We’re delighted to announce sizable growth to our flying schedule for Winter 2026, including a new route to Melbourne,” he said.
“We have a long history of connecting Britain and Australia, and we’re excited to be returning to this great city.
“We’re also increasing services across several high-demand routes around the world and together, these changes represent a significant investment in our network, adding even more options and choice for our customers.”
From January 9 2027, flight BA33 will depart London Heathrow daily at 21:10pm, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 18:05pm the following day and then into Melbourne at 6:40am the day after.
The return flight BA34 will commence from January 11, departing Melbourne Airport at 16:35pm, arriving in Kuala Lumpur at 21:35pm and then into London Heathrow at 5:20am the next morning.
About British Airways:
As a global airline and the UK’s flag carrier, British Airways has been flying its customers to where they need to be for more than 100 years. The airline connects Britain with the world and the world with Britain, operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks together with its joint business, codeshare and franchise partners.
Together with its affiliates, British Airways operates to more than 200 destinations in more than 75 countries throughout Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia. The airline is on a journey to A Better BA and in 2024, launched its transformation plan. The biggest ever investment of its business - focusing on revolutionising how the airline works and rolling out the very latest leading-edge technology to deliver the best customer experience.