British Airways expands African network to include Seychelles

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

The inaugural flight touched down at Mahé International Airport on Sunday 25 March and the schedule will see flights departing Heathrow’s Terminal 5 on Wednesdays and Saturdays, returning on Thursdays and Sundays. British Airways is the only airline offering a non-stop service from the UK.

The service is year-round and is operated by the airline’s newest aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. There is a 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.

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

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.

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.

In World Traveller it has introduced an expanded new menu, providing more quantity and quality in the long-haul economy cabin, as well as snack options throughout the flight.

It is also introducing new World Traveller and World Traveller Plus cabins to its Boeing 777 fleet operating out of Gatwick. During the South African summer British Airways offers three weekly services to Cape Town using these aircraft.

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.

Wole Shadare