Happy to see Inverness doing so well!

British Airways is to significantly expand its service between Heathrow and Inverness by operating two daily return services from Monday to Friday and three return services at weekends from summer 2019.

The increased schedule means that, for the first time since the Heathrow to Inverness route was reinstated in 2016, an aircraft will be parked overnight at Inverness Airport and British Airways customers will be able to travel between the two cities, complete a full working day, and return home the very same day.

From March 31, 2019 the number of weekly flights the airline operates between the two cities during the summer season will increase from 10 to 16. The winter flying programme between Heathrow Terminal 5 and Inverness will see a doubling from seven to 14 return services a week, with the airline operating a double-daily schedule every day of the week from October 27, 2019.

Flights have also been re-timed to improve onward connections on to British Airways’ global network of more than 150 destinations worldwide. Flights are available to book on ba.com, with each-way fares starting from £115 per person in Club Europe and £34 in Euro Traveller*.

Phyllis Stuart, British Airways’ Airport Manager in Inverness, said: “We have been able to increase flights to Inverness because the airport is exempt from Air Passenger Duty. This outdated and unjustified tax stifles British Airways’ route development plans and costs the UK jobs and growth.

“Since we reintroduced the daily service between Inverness and Heathrow we have seen steady growth in passenger numbers at both ends of the route and this further expansion is testament to the support our partners at Inverness Airport and the people and business community of the highlands and islands have given us over the past two years. The new schedule will bring greater economic benefits to the region and the extra flights on Saturdays and Sundays will cater for the number of leisure passengers travelling to the highlands and islands during the summer months.”

Inglis Lyon, Managing Director of Highlands and Islands Airports, said: “The increased frequency of British Airways flights to Heathrow really is a game changer for Inverness and the Highlands and Islands. It opens up a host of new connections and destinations via one of the world’s great aviation hubs, meaning many more people can travel to and from our region on one ticket. Local businesses will benefit from greater connectivity with London and beyond and it opens up opportunities for visitors to access all that the area has to offer.”

British Airways is investing £4.5 billion for customers, including the installation of the best quality WiFi and power in every seat, fitting 128 long-haul aircraft with new interiors and taking delivery of 72 new aircraft. The airline is also making a multi-million-pound investment in its short haul business class cabin, Club Europe. The spend is part of the airline’s current £4.5bn investment plan and will focus on enhanced food and drink.

It's good to have extra options. As for the snide comments about Gatwick, that's the easyjet flight out of INV that always seems to sell better - you'll rarely get a bargain on the LGW services. Seems to suit many of us.

Inv to Singapore now with an 11 hour connection in T5 ....... what the hell are me and my partner gonna do for 11 hours. (Can you even go in the lounge for that long ...?)

so your allowed to leave airport if your connection is really long and bags are checked through to final destination? (I wasn't sure on if this was allowed)

handy to know guess I'll leave my partner in T5 and go for a quick TP run 😂

I have the same predicament on return journey. Is anything open in Windsor at 7am?

We’ll just enjoy the CCR and Galleries First and try and get a couple of spa treatments. We’ll probably never get the opportunity again so will make the most of it!

that’s the spirit!