New British Airways service to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar leads greater direct access to East Africa New British Airways service to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar leads greater direct access to East Africa

British Airways is increasing access to East Africa with the addition of flights to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar in Tanzania from 29 May 2027.

Flights will operate three times a week from London Gatwick, landing in Kilimanjaro international Airport before going on to Zanzibar. The new route will run through the summer season until 31 October, timed for the peak safari season along with UK school holidays.

Kilimanjaro Airport is the gateway to Tanzania’s renowned Northern Safari Circuit including the Serengeti Wildlife Park, home to the Great Migration. Visitors can also experience the UNESCO World Heritage Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five, Tarangire National Park, best loved for its mighty elephant herds, and Lake Manyara National Park.

Tucked in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, the new service also provides a gateway for travellers keen to climb Africa’s highest peak, a natural wonder spanning five distinct climate zones, rainforest and alpine desert to its legendary snow-capped summit.

Departing London Gatwick every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 09.05, the new service arrives in Kilimanjaro at 20.20 and departs and hour later, arriving in Zanzibar at 22.25. Zanzibar is famous for its white sandy beaches and diverse marine life along its Indian Ocean coasts, along with a rich culture including the UNESCO-listed streets of Stone Town and spice plantations.

Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer said, “We’re excited to be launching flights to two exceptional new destinations that showcase the very best of Tanzania. These new routes strengthen our footprint in East Africa and open the door to some of the world’s most extraordinary travel experiences.

The new British Airways’ service comes on the back of Air Tanzania’s plans to start direct flights from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar in July 2027 cutting out the current 12-hour or more layover in Addis Ababa, Nairobi or Dubai.

Further new routes to Africa include South African airline, Airlink launching its first-ever non-stop Cape Town-Zanzibar service from October 2026.

In addition to new Africa services, British Airways has announced a 25 per cent increase in capacity to Latin America with the introduction of non-stop flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina and onward daily service to Santiago, Chile, along with increased seats to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the extension of flights to San José, Costa Rica to a year-round operation at three per week. Customers will also see additional flights on popular routes to Cape Town, South Africa and Las Vegas in the USA. This enhanced summer schedule will be introduced from the end of March 2027.

The British national carrier is also launching London Gatwick to Colombo, Sri Lanka from 23 October 2026, and flights from London Heathrow to Melbourne via Kuala Lumpur from 9 January 2027. Its service from London Gatwick to Barbados, launching this October, will continue for the summer 2027 season, including onward tags to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago.

For more information: British Airways

Read more: Tanzania safari