New British Airways Manchester flights now bookable – and new Stansted routes too

Last week we wrote about the new routes from Manchester Airport that British Airways is launching for Summer 2017.

These flights were not bookable at the time.  However, the routes were officially launched yesterday and you can now book for both cash and Avios at ba.com.

Here is a reminder of the routes together with the preliminary timings.  With just one flight per week on most routes, they won’t be a lot of use unless you are planning a 7-night holiday.

Alicante – 20 May – 30 September (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 0550, arrive Alicante 0940
Depart Alicante  1025, arrive Manchester 1220

London City – 21 May – 1 October
Depart Manchester 1955, arrive London City 2055 (Sundays)
Depart London City 1945, arrive Manchester 2045 (Thursdays)

Ibiza – 18 May – 1 October
Depart Manchester 2125, arrive Ibiza 0115 (Thursdays)
Depart Manchester 1930, arrive Ibiza 2330 (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 1250, arrive Ibiza 1640 (Sundays)
Depart Ibiza 0155, arrive Manchester 0330 (Fridays)
Depart Ibiza 0005, arrive Manchester 0150 (Sundays)
Depart Ibiza 1725, arrive Manchester 1910 (Sundays)

Malaga – 19 May – 29 September (Fridays)
Depart Manchester 0535, arrive Malaga 0935
Depart Malaga 1020, arrive Manchester 1225

Mykonos – 19 May – 29 September (Fridays)
Depart Manchester 1310, arrive Mykonos 1910
Depart Mykonos 1955, arrive Manchester 2205

Palma – 21 May – 1 October (Sundays)
Depart Manchester 0550, arrive Palma 0935
Depart Palma 1020, arrive Manchester 1205

Nice – 20 May – 30 September (Saturdays)
Depart Manchester 1305, arrive Nice 1625
Depart Nice 1710, arrive Manchester 1835

Note that the London City service will not be bookable until 21st February.  It is possible that this is to tie in with the launch of tickets for domestic Club Europe flights which we know are launching later this spring.

If you liked the idea of Nice, be warned that Manchester to Nice in EuroTraveller prices up at 13,000 Avios return compared with 9,000 Avios from London.  This is because the flight is longer than 650 miles which pushes it into a higher pricing category.  Tax remains at £35 / £50 depending on class.

Remember that these flights operate with Embraer aircraft featuring 2 x 2 seating throughout so there is no ‘middle seat free’ in Club Europe.  You will get access to the BA lounge in Manchester or the Escape lounge in Stansted.

New Stansted services too

What did come as a surprise yesterday was the announcement of new weekend routes from London Stansted this summer.

The new routes will operate to Florence, Geneva and Nice.

Services to Ibiza, Palma, Malaga and Faro are being retained from last year, with increased frequencies to Ibiza and Palma.

Again, these routes are available for booking at ba.com.

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (April 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

30,000 Avios and the famous annual 2-4-1 voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.