British Airways will launch a new scheduled service between London Gatwick and Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) from 23 October 2026, operating three times weekly. The route marks BA’s return to serving Sri Lanka direct from a London airport, following a gap of several years during which travellers typically had to connect via the Middle East or South Asia.
Flight Details
- Departure dates: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays from Gatwick South Terminal
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-200ER
- Outbound schedule (approx.): LGW departs 21:30, arrives CMB 14:00+1
- Return schedule (approx.): CMB departs 16:00, arrives LGW 20:30
- Fare entry point: Economy from £620 return; Business Class from £2,850 return
Tickets are now available through britishairways.com and major travel agents. Avios redemptions are bookable from launch day.
Why This Route Matters
The new Gatwick service provides an alternative to connections through Dubai (Emirates, flydubai), Doha (Qatar Airways), and Abu Dhabi (Etihad), which have been the main routing options for UK travellers to Sri Lanka since direct London–Colombo services lapsed. A non-stop flight time of approximately 10 hours 30 minutes is competitive with the best Middle East connections on elapsed journey time.
For travellers based in the south of England, Gatwick is a more convenient airport than Heathrow; for those in other parts of the UK, Gatwick’s connections to regional airports may tip the balance depending on origin.
Getting from Colombo Airport into the City
Bandaranaike International Airport is located at Katunayake, around 30 km north of central Colombo. Transport options from the airport include the express train (Katunayake–Maradana, approximately 50 minutes), taxis arranged through the official airport counters, and pre-booked private transfers.
For a full breakdown of transfer costs, times, and which option suits different budgets, see our Colombo airport guide.
Booking Notes
The 23 October 2026 launch date falls during shoulder season — after the European summer but before peak December holiday demand. Fares around launch time are likely to be at or near their lowest for the route. Sri Lanka’s November–March dry season in the south and west overlaps well with the winter schedule, making the timing practical for beach itineraries based around Galle and Mirissa.