Flights — BA direct from October 2026.

Major news: British Airways is upgrading its Costa Rica route. From 25 October 2026, BA moves the only direct UK→CR service from London Gatwick to London Heathrow, increasing frequency from 3 to 5 flights per week. Fastest direct journey: 11 hours 30 minutes.

British Airways direct — the route that just got better

Current (until 24 October 2026)

• From: London Gatwick (LGW)
• Frequency: 3 flights/week direct
• Aircraft: Boeing 777

From 25 October 2026

• From: London Heathrow (LHR) — main BA hub, more onward connections
• Frequency: 5 flights/week — Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun
• Duration: 11 hours 30 minutes direct
• Through: March 2027 confirmed; likely to continue

Material upgrade. LHR transit is faster than LGW for most UK travellers, and 5x weekly gives genuine flexibility for repeat visits.

Typical pricing (BA direct)

• Standard season Economy: £700-£1,100 return
• Peak (Christmas, Easter, summer): £1,200-£2,000
• Premium Economy: £1,800-£2,800
• Business (Club World): £3,500-£6,500

European alternatives (1-stop)

Via Madrid (MAD) — Iberia

• ~17-18 hours total · 2-3 flights/day from London · often cheaper off-peak

Via Amsterdam (AMS) — KLM

• ~18-20 hours · 1-2 flights/day · consistent service quality

Via Frankfurt (FRA) — Lufthansa

• ~19-21 hours · 3-5 flights/day · highest frequency = best missed-connection flexibility

Via Paris (CDG) — Air France

• ~18-22 hours · 1-2 flights/day · CDG has more reliability issues than LHR

Costa Rica's airport — SJO

Juan Santamaría International (SJO) near San José. Smaller, efficient. Security and immigration typically 30-60 min from landing to exit.

Onward to Pacific coast

Sources: British Airways Press Release March 2026 · Tico Times — BA Costa Rica expansion.