Northern Lights or Beach Delights: British Airways launches Avios-Only flights to Reykjavík and Tenerife for October half-term

• The latest Avios-Only flights for British Airways go on sale today

3 June 2026 - British Airways has announced its latest release of Avios-Only flights, giving members of The British Airways Club the chance to choose between autumn sunshine in Tenerife, or a cool Icelandic escape to Reykjavík, over the October half-term break.

Available exclusively to members of The British Airways Club, seats will be available to book from later today, 3 June, with all Euro Traveller seats available for just £5 plus 33,500 Avios return, or £40 plus 60,000 Avios return in Club Europe, including checked luggage.

For those looking to make the most of the October half-term, the dedicated Avios-Only services will depart from London Heathrow to Tenerife in the Canary Islands on 24 October 2026, returning on 31 October 2026. Customers can enjoy the island’s year-round sunshine, volcanic landscapes and beachside resorts during one of the most popular weeks for autumn travel.

For a very different half-term escape, members can choose to fly London Heathrow to Reykjavík, departing on 25 October 2026 and returning on 1 November 2026. The Icelandic capital offers customers the chance to discover dramatic landscapes, geothermal lagoons and, with luck, the Northern Lights.

Launched in 2023, Avios-Only flights are dedicated services on which every seat, in every cabin, is exclusively available to purchase with the airline’s reward currency, Avios, making it even easier for members to score Reward Seats on popular leisure routes during peak periods. Since then, British Airways has operated over 50 dedicated services to destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Africa and the Middle East.

Colm Lacy, British Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “We’re delighted to announce our latest Avios-Only flights, giving our customers even more choice over the October half-term. Whether looking for warm autumn sunshine in Tenerife or an unforgettable Icelandic adventure in Reykjavík, these dedicated services offer more opportunities for our loyal customers to make the most of their Avios.”

Adam Daniels, IAG Loyalty’s CEO, said: “Avios-Only flights continue to be hugely popular with members, opening more reward availability on key leisure routes at times when customers really want to travel. With every seat available to book using Avios, these flights are a great example of how we’re continuing to give members more ways to redeem their Avios for memorable trips and experiences.”

Customers with a British Airways American Express Credit Card also have the option to use their Companion Vouchers when booking seats on Avios-Only flights. These entitle Members to a second seat for no extra Avios, just the taxes and charges, or for solo travellers, 50% off the Avios fare.

Those looking to score savings on their hotel stay in Reykjavík or Tenerife, can also choose to redeem Avios on British Airways Holidays bookings, either in full or in part. With discounts from as little as 1,000 Avios, customers can select a hotel only booking, using Avios to reduce the amount payable.

Alongside these dedicated Avios-Only flights, customers can book Reward Seats, purchased using Avios at static rates, on all British Airways routes. On flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick, British Airways guarantees a minimum of 12 and 14 Reward Seats on standard short and long-haul flights respectively. For services to and from London City, four reward seats are guaranteed, with two in business (Club Europe) and two in economy (Euro Traveller). 

Members booking these Avios-Only flights can do so in any cabin as they normally would through www.ba.com, with seats on sale from later today.

ENDS

Media Enquiries:
press@iagloyalty.com

Notes to Editors:

Reykjavík Avios-Only Flight

Euro Traveller – from £5 and 33,500 Avios return
Club Europe – from £40 and 60,000 Avios return

Paul Welch, British Airways Holidays Destination Manager, Reykjavik:

Reykjavik encompasses dramatic nature and Nordic culture with October being one of the best times to see the Northern Lights due to clear skies. Iceland's capital offers stunning volcanic landscapes, as well as its famous geothermal spa, the Blue Lagoon. Make sure to visit Hallgrímskirkja Church, one of Reykjavik's most iconic landmarks which offers expansive city views from the top tower. Paul recommends staying at The Reykjavik EDITION:

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights hotel only, at the 5* The Reykjavik EDITION, from £1449pp, travelling on selected dates between 25 October - 1 November 2026 inclusive. Includes accommodation. Book by 30 June 2026. For reservations visit https://www.britishairways.com/reykjavik

Tenerife Avios-Only Flight

Euro Traveller – from £5 and 33,500 Avios return
Club Europe – from £40 and 60,000 Avios return

Kate Bigger, British Airways Holidays Destination Manager, Tenerife:

With year-round sunshine, Tenerife is the perfect destination for an October getaway, as the weather begins to cool down in the UK. Tenerife is full of natural beauty from Teide National Park (home to Mount Teide, Spain's highest peak), the Teno Mountains, Los Gigantes cliffs and Anaga Rural Park - perfect for those who enjoy walking or hiking on holiday. For those seeking a more relaxed escape, Tenerife is home to some beautiful beaches such as Playa del Duque and Playa de Las Teresitas. And for foodie lovers, the gastronomy in Tenerife is amazing - be sure to eat at a traditional guachinche for an authentic experience. Kate recommends staying at Bahia del Duque and The Ritz Carlton Abama:

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights hotel only, at the 5* Bahia del Duque, from £1349pp, travelling on selected dates between 24 October - 31 October 2026 inclusive. Includes accommodation with breakfast. Book by 30 June 2026. For reservations visit https://www.britishairways.com/tenerife

British Airways Holidays offers seven nights hotel only, at the 5* The Ritz Carlton Abama, from £1049pp, travelling on selected dates between 24 October - 31 October 2026 inclusive. Includes accommodation with breakfast. Book by 30 June 2026. For reservations visit https://www.britishairways.com/tenerife

About The British Airways Club  

The British Airways Club is a free-to-join reward programme for anyone who loves travel. Its currency is Avios, which can be collected by flying with BA or its partner airlines, taking a holiday, making purchases with more than 2,000 retailers when shopping through British Airways at avios.com, or through everyday spending with a wide range of partners such as American Express, Nectar, Avis Budget Group and Marriott.   

Members can also collect tier points every time they fly with British Airways or its oneworld® partners, which offer access to a range of exclusive benefits as they climb the tiers through Blue, Bronze, Silver and Gold. As of 1 April 2025, Members will also collect tier points on ancillary spend, co-brand credit card spend and contributions to sustainable aviation fuel. For more information, visit www.ba.com/theclub .

About Avios

Avios is the global loyalty currency of British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Vueling, Qatar Airways, Finnair and Loganair. It enables over 70 million members in more than 200 countries worldwide to collect and redeem rewards across a broad ecosystem of travel, retail and financial services partners. More than 20 million Avios are collected and 16 million are redeemed every hour through partnerships with thousands of leading brands including Nectar, American Express, Uber, Cabify, Repsol and Royal Caribbean. From flights and hotel stays to groceries and daily commutes, Avios allows members to turn their everyday spending into meaningful rewards. For more information, visit www.avios.com.