News
British Airways Opens Avios-Only Flights to Majorca and Crete for August 2027
British Airways announced two new Avios-only flights for summer 2027 on Oct 21, 2026: London Heathrow to Palma, Majorca, and London Heathrow to Heraklion, Crete. (checked Oct 23, 2026)
What "Avios-only" means
BA says every seat in every cabin on these flights is available only with Avios, which is meant to make reward seats easier to find on popular leisure routes at peak times. The flights are open to members of The British Airways Club. BA says it has operated more than 50 Avios-only flights since the format launched in 2023. (checked Oct 23, 2026)
The flights and prices
Both flights go out on Saturday, Aug 14, 2027 and return on Saturday, Aug 21, 2027. Prices below are per person, return, plus the stated cash amount. (checked Oct 23, 2026)
| Route | Flights | Euro Traveller | Club Europe |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heathrow – Palma (PMI) | BA494 out, 12:50-16:20; BA495 back, 17:15-18:45 | 28,000 Avios + £5 | 49,000 Avios + £40 |
| Heathrow – Heraklion (HER) | BA698 out, 11:25-17:30; BA697 back, 16:45-18:50 | 33,500 Avios + £5 | 60,000 Avios + £40 |
BA says checked baggage is included as standard on the Palma flights. The release does not say whether it is included on the Crete flights, so check before booking. It also does not explain what the cash amount covers beyond calling it a return charge.
How to book
Seats go on sale from Oct 22, 2026 through www.ba.com. BA American Express credit card holders can use Companion Vouchers on these flights, which give a second seat for no extra Avios (taxes and charges only) or 50% off the Avios price for a solo traveller. BA also says it guarantees a minimum number of reward seats on all its flights. (checked Oct 23, 2026)
Why it matters for points travelers
A single-date, single-week pair is narrow, but a guaranteed all-Avios inventory in August is the hardest time to find reward space on short-haul leisure routes. Avios can be topped up through transfer partners, and Capital One has been running a transfer bonus to British Airways that, as of Oct 23, 2026, runs through Oct 31, 2026 per a third-party tracker; confirm the terms in your Capital One account before transferring. Avios are typically needed in the account before seats are booked, and seats at these prices can sell out. Seats went on sale Oct 22, 2026; as of Oct 23, 2026; confirm on https://www.ba.com.
Sources
- British Airways Media Centre, "Island escapes await: British Airways launches Avios-only flights to Majorca and Crete for summer 2027 holidays", Oct 21, 2026: https://mediacentre.britishairways.com/news/21102026/island-escapes-await-british-airways-launches-avios-only-flights-to-majorca-and-crete-for-summer-2027-holidays
- British Airways booking: https://www.ba.com