British Airways launches Avios-Only to Madrid and Toulon
Alexandra
London City Airport will operate two Avios‑Only routes to Madrid and Toulon Saint‑Tropez, with seats bookable from 12 February 2026 and fares starting at £2 plus 28,000 Avios to Madrid and £2 plus 21,500 Avios to Toulon, each including a 23kg checked bag on the published services.
Routes, timetable and fares at a glance
| Route | Booking opens | Cash price | Avios required | Baggage | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| London City – Madrid | 12 Feb 2026 | £2 | 28,000 Avios | 23kg included | Return marks BA’s 50th Avios‑Only flight |
| London City – Toulon Saint‑Tropez | 12 Feb 2026 | £2 | 21,500 Avios | 23kg included | New summer destination for BA |
How Avios‑Only differs from standard Reward Seats
Unlike standard Reward Seats sold at static rates alongside cash fares, an Avios‑Only service lists 100% of seats for redemption with Avios. For London City routes BA normally guarantees a minimum number of Reward Seats on regular services, but on Avios‑Only flights every cabin is available to members of The British Airways Club to book with Avios through ba.com.
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- All seats purchasable with Avios on the Avios‑Only services.
- Bookings open 12 February 2026 for these routes.
- Companion Vouchers from the British Airways American Express Credit Card are valid on Avios‑Only flights — second passenger pays taxes/charges only.
- Includes standard checked baggage allowance as published for each fare.
Network context and the 50‑flight milestone
Since launching Avios‑Only in 2023, the scheme has served a mix of leisure and long‑haul Destinations, with previous services to locations such as Cape Town, Barbados, Sharm El Sheikh, Málaga and Marrakesh. The return leg from Madrid becomes the airline’s 50th dedicated Avios‑Only flight, reflecting a steady expansion by British Airways and a push from IAG Loyalty into broader redemption availability.
Operational and passenger considerations
These services operate from London City, whose proximity to the financial district and steep approach profile remain key operational characteristics. The short runway and slot environment at London City make route choices and aircraft type important to capacity planning; offering Avios‑Only inventory is one lever airlines use to drive forward load factor while managing yield. Travelers should note that Avios redemptions still require payment of taxes and charges, and availability can shift quickly during peak demand such as late‑May bank holidays.
Booking tips for reward travellers
- Members of The British Airways Club should log in to ba.com for full cabin availability.
- Consider using Companion Vouchers if you hold them via the British Airways American Express Credit Card.
- Book early if you need specific flight times around bank holidays and events.
- Check baggage and connection rules; Avios tickets can have different change/refund terms than cash fares.
Why sailors and charter operators should care
Toulon is the nearest mainland airport gateway to Saint‑Tropez and the Côte d’Azur marinas where charter activity spikes in summer. Increased Avios capacity into Toulon can ease crew rotations, repositioning flights for skippers, and one‑way logistics for yacht charter operators. Madrid draws cultural tourism, but the more immediate link for boating is Toulon’s access to marinas, superyacht support and day‑boat operations along the gulf.
On a practical note, easier reward redemptions to Toulon mean last‑minute crew replacements or captains arriving on tighter budgets can rely less on expensive transfers from distant airports. I’ve seen a skipper hop a late flight and still make the scheduled departure—proof that a smooth connection can keep a charter on time. As the saying goes, "time is tide" when you’re dealing with yachts and shore logistics.
Practical impacts for marinas and local services
- More incoming passengers via Avios redemptions can increase demand for transfer boats, taxis and marina berths.
- Charter brokers may see more short‑notice bookings if transport costs drop for crew and guests.
- Local suppliers (fuel, provisioning, maintenance) could experience spikes aligned with these seasonal services.
In summary, the Avios‑Only release to Madrid and Toulon from London City opens reward access with fares from £2 plus Avios and includes 23kg checked baggage; the Madrid return marks British Airways’ 50th Avios‑Only service. For travelers the key moves are to book early, use Companion Vouchers where available and check baggage and change rules. For the yachting and charter community, the Toulon link improves crew logistics, supports marina activity and makes last‑minute boat rentals and superyacht operations more flexible. Overall, expect effects across yacht charter, boat rent, beach transfers, lake and sea activities, captain logistics, sale and booking patterns across Destinations—boosting yachting, boating, the gulf marinas and even fishing and leisure trips on the ocean and water near Clearwater‑like hot spots.
