Washington, DC Leaders Welcome Announcement of Record UK Flight Capacity

Leaders from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and Washington, D.C., region applauded an announcement that British Airways will increase their service between Washington Dulles and London Heathrow from 14 to 21 times weekly for the spring and summer 2025 season beginning on March 30, 2025.

The new flight will be operated on British Airways’ Boeing 787-8 aircraft. British Airways will maintain operating the Boeing 777-200ER and the Airbus A380 on the other two daily services for the season.

"The United Kingdom is our largest international air market, and this expanded capacity with our partners at British Airways will arrive just in time for the peak summer period giving travellers to and from the National Capital Region a new option to fly between Washington and London and beyond," said Chryssa Westerlund, Airports Authority executive vice president and chief revenue officer. “Next year, the National Capital Region will host many major events. We anticipate these major events will push international travel demand even higher for Washington, D.C., and we are thrilled our partners at British Airways will increase their service to meet the demand.” 

"The addition of British Airways' seven new weekly flights next year between London and Dulles International Airport reiterates the importance of Washington, D.C., as a gateway destination to the United States, given its prime location in the Mid-Atlantic region," said Elliott L. Ferguson, II, president and CEO of Destination DC. "The UK remains a priority for Washington, D.C., tourism, as it is DC's number one overseas market. As an economic development organization, we can expect additional airlift to lead to increased opportunities for visitation. We’re excited to work closely with British Airways and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to make access to the city even easier and more comfortable for travellers wishing to explore iconic landmarks only found in Washington, D.C." 

Neil Chernoff, British Airways chief planning and strategy officer, said, "We're excited to be able to offer additional daily flights between Washington, D.C., and London Heathrow. With the increase in our daily service, we are pleased to provide travellers with more options to explore."

Washington Dulles and British Airways share a 50-year partnership. From the first commercial Concorde service to the United States in 1976 to its first Airbus A380 service in 2014, the airline has been a deep-rooted airline partner for Washington Dulles. Millions of passengers have travelled on British Airways flights between Washington Dulles and London since the start of the service. The flights generate an estimated $178 million in positive annual economic impact for the local community.