Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, British Airways’ operations at London Gatwick Airport have been a hot topic. Following months of uncertainty, the UK flag carrier now looks set to launch a new brand at London’s second airport. The airline will be low-cost in terms of its operating structure, but its services will retain full BA branding.
BA previously faced low-cost competition from the likes of easyJet at Gatwick. Photo: Getty ImagesA new brand
September 2021 saw British Airways opt to almost completely suspend its mainline short-haul operations from Gatwick. This came about due to it being unable to gain union support to continue its operations from London’s second airport. However, as reported yesterday by Head For Points, it has now been able to agree on the terms of a revised deal.
The result of this is that BA will be able to pursue its plans to launch a new leisure brand at Gatwick with renewed vigor. It will offer point-to-point services with a full-service product. The new brand has been described as low-cost. However, it is important to note that this refers to the carrier’s operating structure, rather than its passenger experience.
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BA’s new brand will be a full-service carrier serving leisure routes. Photo: Tom Boon | Simple FlyingThis means that the way the airline works will feature operational changes not previously seen with BA at Gatwick. A key way of reducing operating costs will be to eliminate overnight stays. This means that all of the new carrier’s planes and employees will return to LGW at the end of the day. However, this reduces its ability to operate early flights to Gatwick.
Back and forth for nearly two years
When the ongoing COVID-19 crisis first hit UK aviation in March 2020, UK flag carrier British Airways temporarily suspended its operations from London Gatwick Airport. Despite fears that the airline might never return there, it was able to restart them in July that year. However, when November 2020 rolled around, BA suspended its Gatwick flights once again.
As the pandemic has progressed, it has become clear that Gatwick only really has a future in terms of BA’s long-haul operations. Indeed, the airline suggested ending its short-haul program from the airport in August this year, a proposal it carried out a month later.
BA is now looking for cabin crew to work for its new Gatwick-based brand. Photo: Getty ImagesThe only exceptions were a handful of domestic flights. Now, the creation of a new brand will allow the UK flag carrier to retain a short-haul presence at Gatwick, an airport whose operations it had previously considered axing entirely to preserve its Heathrow slots.
On the hunt for cabin crew
BA plans to launch its new Gatwick-based short-haul brand next March. As such, it has begun looking for cabin crew for the new services. Head For Points notes that the airline has invited former employees to apply for jobs at the new brand, which will use up to 17 planes in its first year. It will be interesting to see how the plans for the new brand develop.
Simple Flying has contacted BA for further information regarding its Gatwick plans.
What do you make of BA’s plans for its new Gatwick-based carrier? Will you be tempted to try the new airline out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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