British Airways launches St. Louis and Guernsey | News
Two new British Airways routes took to the skies this week as the first flights to St. Louis, Missouri in the US and Guernsey in the Channel Islands departed from London
St. Louis became the 27th U.S. destination to join the British Airways network when the first flight to the Gateway to the West landed. The airline offers more direct flights to the US than any other European airline. In a playful pun, the first flight was performed by an entire crew named Louis, Lewis or Louise.
British Airways is the only British airline to offer direct flights to St. Louis, in a launch that coincides with the 100th anniversary of Route 66, which runs through the city, and the nationwide celebration of 250 years of American independence. With nearby Kansas City being one of the World Cup host cities, St. Louis is also an easy jumping-off point for fans heading to the action this summer.
British Airways operates four flights a week from London Heathrow Terminal 5 during the summer season. The route is operated by a Boeing 787 fleet, which is currently equipped with Starlink, the fastest Wi-Fi in the skies. Customers can choose from three cabins: World Traveler (economy), World Traveler Plus (premium economy) and Club World (business class).
Guernsey in the Channel Islands was also added to British Airways’ route map yesterday, becoming the only direct flight connecting the picturesque island to London Heathrow. The route runs daily all year round.
To mark the occasion, the maiden flight was operated by a crew with personal links to the island, including the flight captain and four members of the cabin crew, all originally from Guernsey or with close family ties. Customers traveling on the inaugural service were also treated to a traditional Guernsey Gâche Mèlèe on board – an apple dessert with deep roots in the island’s heritage.
Neil Chernoff, Chief Planning and Strategy Officer of British Airways said: “It’s always a proud moment when we see a new route take to the skies, after months of careful planning. These two new destinations offer our customers even more choice and opportunities to explore, whether that’s across the Atlantic to America’s mid-west, or a short drive off the coast to the Channel Islands, there’s a wide range of options for travelers looking to get away from it all this summer holiday.”
Later this summer, British Airways will also launch flights to Tivat in Montenegro, the scenic coastal town on the Bay of Kotor. Seasonal flights to Tivat will start on May 14, 2026 from London Heathrow Terminal 3 and operate three times a week.
