British Airways launches another “Avios-only” flight… to Cape Town

British Airways is launching another “Avios-Only flight”, this time to Cape Town, South Africa.

The airline will offer more than 500 seats for customers to spend their Avios on

Members of The British Airways Club can travel to Cape Town over the Christmas period, from as little as 70,000 Avios and £150. All classes of travel are bookable in this offer.

Cape Town marks the release of the airline’s 7,500th Avios-Only seat since the launch in 2023.

British Airways has operated 34 Avios-Only flights to 15 destinations across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, and the Caribbean. The most recent Avios-Only flights to Málaga and Marrakech were scheduled during the October half-term and were especially popular with families. Booking rates for families with children were more than four times higher than for other reward flights.

Avios-Only seats are sold as normal Reward Seats, which means that customers with British Airways American Express Credit Cards will also have the option to use their Companion Vouchers. These entitle Members to a second seat for just the taxes and charges, or one seat for half the amount of Avios.

Reward Seats are those that can be purchased using Avios at static rates. British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on standard short and long-haul flights, whereas Avios-Only flights mean that every seat is available to purchase using Avios.

Members booking the Avios-Only flight can do so in any cabin as they normally would through ba.com.

In Quotes

British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Colm Lacy, said:

“We’re delighted to announce Cape Town as our latest Avios-Only flight destination, in South Africa’s peak travel season. Members will have the opportunity to book seats across all four cabins over the popular festive period offering more value and choice than ever.” 

Rob McDonald, Chief Commercial Officer at IAG Loyalty, said:

“We know how popular Avios-Only flights are with customers and we’re incredibly excited to work with British Airways to offer the next long-haul Avios-Only flight to Cape Town, operating over the peak Christmas period. This will allow customers to take full advantage of the value Avios unlocks on an incredibly popular route.” 

If it works, it could be a good value

I’ve left this a little late, so seats may be thin on the ground. However, for those with piles of Avios, it’s a chance to burn them to a destination, along with a bunch of fellow Avios collectors/frequent flyers – providing the flight times work for you.

You might find reward seats outside those times tough, as it is the festive season.

It is also good to see more long haul offers as Avios-only flights and a quick way for Britsh Airways and IAG to take the balance of those Avios off the books.

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