Pack your bags (and maybe your baseball cap): British Airways has just confirmed a brand-new transatlantic route. Starting 22 April 2026, BA will fly London Heathrow (LHR) – St Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), giving Brits a direct link to Missouri’s Gateway City for the first time in years.
In This Post
The Schedule
Here’s how it looks:
- BA221 LHR 16:25 – 19:30 STL (Tue, Wed, Fri & Sun)
- BA220 STL 22:00 – 12:05+1 LHR (Tue, Wed, Fri & Sun)
Four weekly flights, all on BA’s long-haul workhorse fleet. Aircraft type hasn’t been confirmed yet, but given the timings, don’t be surprised if it’s a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner – the sweet spot for thinner and new U.S. routes.
Why St Louis?
If you’re scratching your head, remember that St Louis is more than just a flyover city. It’s a major business hub (Bayer, Anheuser-Busch, and Mastercard all have big operations there) and a cultural stop in its own right. For BA, it’s about filling in the map for both business travellers and US-bound holidaymakers.
How to Book
As always, you’ve got options:
- Cash fares will be loaded shortly on ba.com. Expect economy return fares to start around £650 – £700, though we’ll need to see how aggressive BA gets with introductory pricing.
- Avios redemptions will be available at launch. This is a Reward Flight Saver eligible route, so you’re looking at 26,000 Avios + £150 return in economy (off-peak), scaling up to 160,000+ Avios return in business. St Louis should be a sweet spot for off-peak dates, since it’s not as high-demand as New York or Miami.
- Don’t forget multi-partner redemptions. If you’re sitting on American Airlines miles (or Qatar Avios), you’ll likely be able to book these flights directly.
Which Credit Card to Use
This is where it gets interesting. If you’re looking to book, consider:
- British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card – stack your booking with 3 Avios per £1 on BA spend. Combine with the 2-for-1 Companion Voucher to bring a mate along to St Louis for half the Avios.
- Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard – same 3 Avios/£1 earning rate, plus easier acceptance at merchants that aren’t Amex-friendly.
- American Express Platinum – if you’d rather protect your booking with extra insurance and bag access to Amex’s own lounges in the US, this is a solid backup.
If you’re splashing out on premium cabins, definitely put it on a BA Amex Premium Plus for the chunky Avios haul. A £2,000 business class ticket will net you 6,000 Avios back instantly – enough for a cheeky one-way redemption to Madrid.
What This Means for Av-Geeks
St Louis hasn’t had a direct UK service since 2018, when Norwegian pulled its Gatwick–STL route. This new BA connection is a proper boost for the city – and another dot on BA’s sprawling US map. By April 2026, BA will be serving over 25 destinations in the United States, more than any other European airline.
Final Boarding Call
So, there you have it. London to St Louis, four times a week, starting next spring. A route that mixes business travel, Avios-burning opportunities, and a dash of Midwest charm. Book early, use the right card, and maybe brush up on your knowledge of baseball rules before you land.
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1 comment
This is a route that AA should have launched. but at least it’s a oneworld carrier flying it.