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British Airways is returning to Tanzania after 15 years, with new summer flights from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar launching in May 2027.
The new service will operate three times a week from 29 May to 31 October 2027, flying from London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) before continuing to Zanzibar.
The Gatwick to Kilimanjaro sector will operate non-stop, while the overall service will use a triangular routing between London, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
British Airways says the new routes will give travellers easier access to Tanzania's safari destinations, Mount Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar's beaches. The airline has also announced a wider expansion of its long-haul network for summer 2027.
British Airways' announced the following route and schedule details.
The new British Airways service will launch on 29 May 2027 and operate throughout the summer season until 31 October 2027.
Flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from London Gatwick. The service will be operated by a Boeing 777 with three cabin options: Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.
| Route | Days | Flight | Departure | Arrival |
| London Gatwick (LGW) → Kilimanjaro (JRO) | Mon / Thu / Sat | BA2163 | 09:05 | 20:20 |
| Kilimanjaro (JRO) → Zanzibar (ZNZ) | Mon / Thu / Sat | BA2163 | 21:20 | 22:25 |
| Zanzibar (ZNZ) → London Gatwick (LGW) | Tue / Fri / Sun | BA2163 | 00:25 | 07:55 |
All times are local. The service operates on a triangular routing and is scheduled to be operated by a Boeing 777.
The distinction between the two Tanzania destinations is important. London Gatwick to Kilimanjaro is a non-stop flight, but travellers flying to Zanzibar will continue on the same service after its Kilimanjaro stop.
Return fares will start from £849, including taxes and fees and a hand baggage allowance.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is the gateway to Tanzania's Northern Safari Circuit, making the new route particularly relevant to travellers planning a safari holiday.
The region includes the Serengeti, where visitors can see the Great Migration, the Ngorongoro Crater, home to the Big Five, Tarangire National Park, known for its large elephant herds, and Lake Manyara National Park.
Kilimanjaro is also the main gateway for travellers preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain.
The timing of the new flights also coincides with Tanzania's peak safari season and the UK's summer school holidays.
The onward service to Zanzibar gives travellers access to a very different side of the country.
Zanzibar is known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs and Indian Ocean waters, while its UNESCO-listed Stone Town offers a mix of history and culture.
Visitors can explore spice plantations, snorkel and dive around the island's reefs or stay at beachfront resorts.
The combination means travellers can potentially build a Tanzania trip around both safari and beach time, with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar included in the new British Airways service.
The Tanzania launch is part of a much wider British Airways network update for summer 2027.
The airline says it will increase its Latin America capacity by 25% compared with summer 2026, measured by available seat kilometres (ASK).
The biggest change will be on the London–Buenos Aires route. From 28 March 2027, Buenos Aires will become a daily non-stop service from London Heathrow, with the flight continuing onwards to Santiago, Chile.
British Airways says this will provide the only non-stop flights between London and Buenos Aires, while also offering daily service to Santiago.
Rio de Janeiro will also receive more dedicated capacity, with the daily Heathrow service operating without its previous onward tag to Buenos Aires.
| Route | Frequency | Summer 2027 change |
| London Heathrow → Buenos Aires → Santiago | Daily | Buenos Aires becomes non-stop, with onward service to Santiago |
| London Heathrow → Rio de Janeiro | Daily | Dedicated Rio service, with Buenos Aires onward tag removed |
| London Heathrow → San José | 3 per week | Becomes year-round |
| London Heathrow → Cape Town | 10 per week | Increased from 7 per week |
| London Heathrow → Las Vegas | 14 per week | Increased from 13 per week |
| London Gatwick → Barbados | Daily | Continues into summer 2027, with onward tags to Grenada, Guyana and Tobago |
| London Gatwick → St Lucia | 4 per week | Becomes a dedicated service, with previous tags via Barbados removed |
The expanded summer schedule will begin from the end of March 2027.
British Airways has also announced two other new long-haul destinations.
Flights from London Gatwick to Colombo, Sri Lanka, are due to begin on 23 October 2026, while the new London Heathrow to Melbourne service via Kuala Lumpur will launch on 9 January 2027.
The airline's summer 2027 schedule therefore brings changes across Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the US, alongside the new Tanzania routes.
For travellers planning Tanzania in summer 2027, the biggest change is the new non-stop London Gatwick–Kilimanjaro connection.
The onward Zanzibar service also gives British Airways customers access to one of Tanzania's most popular beach destinations as part of the same triangular route.
The new flights will run during the UK's main summer holiday period, with fares starting from £849 return. Travellers should check the latest availability, fare conditions, baggage allowance and schedule before booking, as these details can change.
British Airways' return also adds another London option for travellers heading to Tanzania at a time when the country is attracting growing interest for both safari and beach holidays.
Planning a Tanzania holiday from the UK? TravelApp can help you compare flight options and build a trip around your dates, whether you're looking for a safari, a Zanzibar beach stay, or a combination of both.
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