British Airways has unveiled new Avios Only flights for the summer season, allowing loyalty members to book seats to popular European destinations for as little as £2 plus Avios points. The latest expansion marks the airline’s 50th dedicated service where every seat on the aircraft is made available exclusively through reward bookings.
The new routes will operate from London City Airport to Madrid and Toulon, with the French Riviera destination serving as a gateway to Saint Tropez. Bookings opened on 12 February 2026 and cover peak summer travel as well as the late May bank holiday period, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for short haul European travel.
The Avios Only initiative, first introduced in 2023, has steadily grown in popularity among British Airways Executive Club members. Unlike conventional flights where only a limited number of seats are allocated to loyalty redemptions, these services reserve 100 percent of capacity for reward bookings. The model gives frequent flyers greater certainty that they can secure seats during high demand periods without facing limited availability.
Under the structure of the programme, passengers pay a minimal cash amount starting from £2 alongside a required number of Avios points. American Express Companion Voucher holders can also apply their vouchers on eligible bookings, further increasing the attractiveness of the offer for regular travellers.
British Airways has previously deployed Avios Only flights to a range of global destinations including leisure long haul routes. The airline says the concept was developed to address frustration among loyalty members who struggled to redeem points on sought after routes during school holidays and summer peaks.
The announcement has prompted interest among Portuguese travellers and UK residents planning trips to Portugal. While Lisbon, Porto, and Faro are among British Airways’ most popular summer destinations, the airline has not yet confirmed whether Portugal will feature in the current round of Avios Only services. Industry observers note that demand for flights to southern Europe remains strong, particularly as tourism flows between the UK and Portugal continue to recover and expand.
London City Airport plays a central role in the new rollout. The airport is favoured business and premium leisure travellers due to its proximity to central London and shorter processing times. positioning Avios Only services at this hub, British Airways is targeting a segment of customers who value convenience alongside reward flexibility.
The broader European aviation market is seeing airlines refine loyalty strategies to strengthen customer retention amid intense competition. Reward based inventory control has become a strategic tool, allowing carriers to stimulate off peak demand while maintaining premium pricing on standard fares.
For travellers considering summer escapes, the expansion of Avios Only flights signals continued innovation in airline loyalty programmes. Whether additional Mediterranean routes such as Portugal will be added may depend on booking trends and capacity planning in the coming months, particularly as airlines manage aircraft availability and seasonal scheduling adjustments.
