British Airways expands African route network

British Airways has expanded its African network by starting a twice-weekly service to the Seychelles.

With the inaugural flight which touched down at Mahé International Airport March 25, 2018, the British Airways has become the only airline offering a non-stop service from the UK to the country.

It is operated by the airline’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with the choice of four cabins: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business class) and an eight-suite First cabin.

This is the second time in the past six months the airline has grown its presence in the Indian Ocean Islands. In October it expanded its three Boeing 777 services from Gatwick to Mauritius to five a week.

Elsewhere in Africa, British Airways has added more seats to Lagos and will add a second A380 to its double-daily Johannesburg service from October.

Its South African franchise partner, British Airways operated by Comair, also offers a weekly Johannesburg – Mauritius flight.

The route and capacity expansion comes as the airline rolls out a £4.5 billion five-year customer investment plan, with a focus on excellence in the premium cabins and more choice and quality for all its customers.

On a number of African routes it has already introduced new bedding and amenity kits in the Club World cabin by luxury lifestyle brand, the White Company. The investment will also see a new Club World seat in future.

At Heathrow it has opened a First Wing check-in area with direct security and lounge access. Lounges around the world are being revamped, including Johannesburg and Nairobi.

The investment plan will also see British Airways installing the best-quality WiFi in every seat, upgrading the interiors of 128 long-haul aircraft and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft.