London Heathrow Airport is the world’s most connected airport, serving over 200 destinations worldwide. Despite being one of the world’s most slot-constrained hub airports and operating at 99% capacity, several airlines are launching new routes from Heathrow this spring.
The airport remains a critical hub for both long-haul and short-haul travel, with airlines continuously adjusting networks to secure valuable Heathrow slots.
While some airlines are reallocating aircraft and cancelling low-demand routes in favour of new ones, new airlines to the airport, such as Alaska Airlines, are launching services to the British capital from Seattle, underlining Heathrow’s critical role in global aviation.
Alaska Airlines launches Seattle
On May 22, Alaska Airlines will launch its inaugural service between London Heathrow and Seattle, USA, using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Following the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines in September 2024, Alaska Airlines has expanded its international long-haul network to destinations such as Seoul, Rome, Tokyo, and Reykjavik.
Supported by the airline’s oneworld alliance membership, Alaska Airlines will be able to connect passengers beyond London Heathrow into Europe through partner airlines such as British Airways.
British Airways bolsters its US dominance
With its home at Heathrow, British Airways is set to strengthen its already extensive US network by launching St. Louis, USA, from April 19 using Boeing 787 aircraft. This new route makes St. Louis the 27th US destination served by the airline.
Flights to the Channel Island of Guernsey will commence on April 19, using A320 family aircraft. As well as providing competition to Aurigny Air Services’ London Gatwick-Guernsey route, it will enable passengers to connect to other British Airways services through London Heathrow.
From May 14, British Airways will launch seasonal flights to Tivat, Montenegro. The route will be operated using Airbus A320 family aircraft and is a surprising addition from Heathrow, as many of the airline’s leisure-focused routes are typically operated using its short-haul subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, from London Gatwick.
Why ITA Airways is returning to Heathrow from Gatwick
Italian flag carrier, ITA Airways, previously operated its London-Rome service from Heathrow before moving to London Gatwick during the airline’s restructuring period to aid reducing costs after the collapse of its predecessor, Alitalia.
ITA Airways will re-commence its London Heathrow-Rome, Italy route on March 29 to allow the airline to connect high-yielding business passengers through Rome Fiumicino Airport onto its expanding long-haul network.
The move back to Heathrow is linked to ITA Airways’ new partnership with Lufthansa Group, with The Queen’s Terminal 2 at Heathrow serving as a major Star Alliance hub, which the airline is set to join this year.
Pakistan International Airlines returns following a six-year ban
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will resume operations to London Heathrow from Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan, on March 29 and March 30, respectively. The routes will be operated using Boeing 777-200 aircraft.
The airline returns to London following a six-year hiatus as its European operations were suspended by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) due to concerns regarding oversight of pilot licensing in Pakistan’s aviation industry.
Since the EASA ban in 2020, Pakistan has implemented regulatory reforms to address these issues, allowing the airline to return to European airspace.
Virgin Atlantic expands to Asia with two new routes
Starting March 30, Virgin Atlantic will use Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to operate a new service to Seoul Incheon, South Korea. Following ongoing instability and airspace closures in the Middle East, the airline’s suspension of its Tel Aviv route has allowed aircraft to be redeployed.
The airline will also start a new service to Phuket, Thailand, from October 18, serving as the first direct route to the holiday destination from Heathrow.
Gulf-based carriers are still safe amid Middle East airspace restrictions. Find out more.
British Airways partner airline Vueling expands at Heathrow
Vueling, owned by International Airlines Group, will start flying to the southern Spanish city of Seville from March 29. Seville marks the airline’s sixth route to Heathrow, allowing British Airways passengers to connect onto the Vueling network.
Riyadh Air eyes London Heathrow launch
Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, Riyadh Air, has also signalled its intention to launch services to London Heathrow Airport once the airline begins commercial operations in 2026. The airline has already begun preparations for its launch, conducting test flights in October as part of its readiness programme ahead of the airline’s planned debut.
Riyadh Air, which is being developed as part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy to transform the country into a major global aviation hub, plans to connect Riyadh with more than 100 destinations worldwide.
As London Heathrow awaits approval for its long-planned third runway, airlines are still able to adjust schedules in relation to demand and launch new destinations. However, new routes can often come at the expense of lower-demand services due to the airport’s capacity restrictions.
A third runway will allow airlines to fly these thinner, lower-demand routes while still having the flexibility to introduce new services, keeping London Heathrow the world’s most connected airport.
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