British Airways is strengthening its foothold in the short-haul leisure market with a fresh expansion of its Avios-only network, unveiling new reward flights from London City Airport to Spain and France for summer 2026. The latest move adds Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez to a growing list of destinations that can be booked entirely using Avios, underlining the carrier’s strategy of turning loyalty currency into headline-grabbing getaways from the heart of the UK capital.
What British Airways Has Announced From London City
The airline has confirmed two dedicated Avios-only return services from London City Airport, one to Madrid and one to Toulon Saint-Tropez, both operating as limited-time leisure getaways. Every seat on these flights is released as a reward seat, meaning bookings can only be made using Avios, topped up by a small cash contribution to cover taxes, fees and charges.
The Madrid Avios-only flight will run over the late May bank holiday weekend in 2026, departing London City on 22 May and returning from the Spanish capital on 25 May. The Toulon Saint-Tropez service is set for early summer, with a departure from London City on 13 June and a return flight one week later on 20 June. In each case, British Airways is offering both Euro Traveller, its short-haul economy cabin, and Club Europe, its intra-European business class.
These services represent the 50th Avios-only flights for the airline since the concept launched in 2023, marking a symbolic milestone for British Airways’ loyalty strategy. Until now, the majority of Avios-only operations have focused on routes from London Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as seasonal sun routes from London City. The addition of Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez deepens that footprint in two of Europe’s most popular leisure regions.
How Avios-Only Flights Work
Avios-only flights are specific services on which British Airways releases every seat as a reward seat, instead of the usual limited allocation. On most standard flights, the airline guarantees a minimum number of reward seats in each cabin, but the majority of inventory is sold for cash. By contrast, Avios-only flights are designed as redemption showcases, where every seat on board is available for Avios redemptions.
For these London City departures, bookings are open exclusively to members of The British Airways Club, the airline’s free-to-join loyalty programme. Seats go on sale from 12 February 2026 and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For a limited sales window running until late April 2026, availability is restricted to members booking with Avios; after that point, any unsold seats may be opened up more broadly, though still governed by the underlying reward-flight rules.
The model is straightforward for travellers familiar with frequent-flyer redemptions. A customer selects the Avios-only flight in the booking engine, chooses a cabin and pays in Avios plus a modest cash element. Ticket conditions, including change rules and baggage allowances, follow the standard reward-flight framework. Companion vouchers and upgrade vouchers issued through financial partners can also be used, giving well-prepared members a way to stretch their points even further.
Pricing: Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez From Just £2 Plus Avios
Headline pricing for the new services is set to draw attention. Economy return fares in Euro Traveller from London City to Toulon Saint-Tropez start from £2 plus 21,500 Avios. For Madrid, the starting point is £2 plus 28,000 Avios for a return in Euro Traveller. Both include a checked bag of up to 23 kilograms, which is significant given that some low-cost alternatives charge considerably more for luggage alone.
In Club Europe, British Airways’ European business cabin, return redemptions on these London City flights start at £30 plus 36,000 Avios for Toulon and £30 plus 49,000 Avios for Madrid. Travellers upgrading to Club Europe gain access to priority ground services where available, enhanced onboard catering and increased baggage allowances, along with a more spacious seating configuration.
Members with a British Airways American Express credit card can make use of Companion Vouchers on these flights, subject to standard voucher rules. That allows a second traveller to fly for no additional Avios outlay, with only the taxes, fees and charges to be covered in cash. For couples or families planning a bank holiday or early summer escape, this can halve the Avios bill and amplify the value of the promotion.
Madrid: A Bank Holiday City Break for Culture Lovers
Scheduling of the Madrid Avios-only service is tailored to the late May bank holiday weekend, targeting travellers keen on a short cultural break. The outbound flight from London City on 22 May 2026 is timed late in the morning, arriving in the Spanish capital early afternoon, which allows for a relaxed travel day and an evening to start exploring the city’s neighbourhoods and dining scene.
Three nights in Madrid offers just enough time to sample the city’s greatest hits, from the art triangle of the Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums to the grand boulevards and lively plazas. The compact nature of Madrid’s historic centre makes it easy to explore on foot over a long weekend, while the city’s late-night culture means visitors can stretch their holiday well into the small hours before returning to London on the afternoon service on 25 May.
For Avios collectors used to redeeming on sun-and-sand escapes, the Madrid service offers a different style of getaway from London City: urban, cultural and food-focused. Given the bank holiday timing, demand is likely to be strong among London-based travellers looking to turn points into an easy long weekend without having to transit through Heathrow or Gatwick.
Toulon Saint-Tropez: A New French Riviera Gateway
The second new Avios-only route links London City with Toulon, which British Airways is positioning as the most convenient airport gateway for Saint-Tropez and the surrounding French Riviera coastline. The outbound flight on 13 June 2026 is scheduled to depart early in the morning, giving passengers a mid-morning arrival on the Mediterranean coast and almost a full first day on the ground. The return from Toulon on 20 June slots neatly into a late-morning departure, ideal for a stress-free journey home after a week in the sun.
This is a brand-new destination in the British Airways network, marking the airline’s first direct link to Toulon Saint-Tropez. For travellers used to flying into Nice or Marseille and then enduring a longer overland transfer, the new route offers a more targeted entry point to resorts and villas scattered around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and the Var coastline. For Avios members, the appeal lies in pairing a glamorous Riviera holiday with the satisfaction of having paid almost entirely in points.
The timing of the Toulon route, in mid June, is aimed at those looking to enjoy the Riviera before the full force of peak-season crowds and pricing. For London City’s core catchment of time-pressed professionals, a direct flight that gets them into the region by late morning and home again by lunchtime, combined with business-friendly Club Europe options, is likely to be a strong draw.
London City’s Growing Role in the Avios-Only Strategy
London City Airport has been quietly building its role in British Airways’ Avios-only plans. Previous reward-only flights from the compact Docklands hub have included summer services to Mediterranean favourites such as Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, giving members the chance to fly on leisure-focused dates using only Avios. The Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez announcements extend that concept and reinforce London City as more than just a business gateway.
With its close proximity to Canary Wharf, the City of London and emerging east London districts, London City offers high-yield catchment potential. A growing number of those passengers are also frequent flyers with sizeable Avios balances. By dedicating certain leisure flights entirely to redemptions, British Airways can both reward loyalty and fill off-peak or shoulder-season capacity in a way that burnishes its value proposition.
The London City operation also benefits from the characteristics of BA Cityflyer services, which typically feature two-by-two seating without middle seats and a more boutique feel than some larger short-haul operations. That aligns well with the expectations of loyalty members who are used to premium touches and value a streamlined airport experience, especially when their getaway is being funded by points.
Why This Matters for British Airways Club Members
For members of The British Airways Club, the continued rollout of Avios-only flights signals that the airline is serious about giving tangible redemption opportunities, not just theoretical value on a balance sheet. With loyalty programmes, perception matters as much as the underlying maths. High-profile redemptions to in-demand destinations like Madrid and the French Riviera create stories members want to tell and share, reinforcing engagement with the programme.
These London City flights also come at a time when loyalty economics are in focus. As the programme evolves and tier qualification leans more heavily on spend, Avios-only promotions serve as a visible reassurance that those points still unlock aspirational travel. Being able to book a bank holiday city break or a week on the Riviera for just a nominal cash outlay can soften concerns about shifting qualification thresholds elsewhere in the programme.
For many members in and around London, ease of access is another major benefit. London City’s compact terminals and shorter minimum connection times can translate into more relaxed departures and quick returns, making these flights attractive even for those who might live closer to Heathrow or Gatwick but value a smoother airport experience when travelling on a points-funded getaway.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Avios-Only Getaways
British Airways has steadily grown its Avios-only network since 2023, experimenting with a mix of sun routes, city breaks and even long-haul holiday services. Earlier launches have included Geneva winter sports flights, Mediterranean summer favourites and seasonal long-haul leisure flights, all structured around the same principle of making every seat on specific services a reward seat.
The addition of Madrid and Toulon Saint-Tropez from London City suggests that the airline sees continued appetite for curated redemption experiences that align with school holidays, bank holidays and key leisure windows. As each tranche of flights sells out, it provides British Airways with data on demand patterns and pricing sensitivity, which can inform future releases and potentially expand the concept to additional regional departure points.
For now, the message to travellers is clear: Avios balances can unlock more than just incremental discounts or off-peak redemptions. With careful planning, members can secure highly desirable dates and destinations from one of London’s most convenient airports at headline-grabbing price points. For those sitting on a healthy Avios stash, the newly announced Spanish and French getaways from London City may be among the most compelling ways yet to turn loyalty points into a memorable escape.