Antigua’s Longer Season
BA will fly daily from Gatwick to Antigua until the end of April 2027, adding 3,000-plus seats as UK arrivals climb 11%. Spring Caribbean has more room to sell.
The UK’s appetite for Antigua is growing, and British Airways is adding seats in the shoulder month where they are hardest to find. BA will keep its daily London Gatwick to Antigua service running through April 2027, instead of cutting back at the end of March, adding more than 3,000 seats, the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority announced on 1 October. For UK advisors, that means more daily nonstop seats for Easter, late-spring honeymoons and Antigua Sailing Week.
The numbers
According to the tourism authority, Antigua and Barbuda welcomed 53,439 UK stay-over visitors between January and August 2026, up 11.2% on the same period of 2025. The extra April capacity follows that growth.
The extended daily schedule flies into V.C. Bird International Airport. After April, BA reverts to five flights a week from May through October, the release says.
The longer daily season covers Antigua Sailing Week, 21 to 25 April 2027, the release notes.
“This extension of British Airways capacity is a significant development,” said Colin C. James, chief executive of the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, calling it “a strong vote of confidence in Antigua and Barbuda.” Cherrie Osborne, the authority’s director of tourism for the UK and Europe, said: “Extending daily British Airways services into April 2027 is a hugely positive step and gives us a valuable additional window.” She said the authority will work with BA and travel trade partners “to maximise the additional capacity.”
What it changes
April has traditionally been a squeeze for Caribbean sales: air capacity often falls before demand does. A daily nonstop into late April makes it easier to sell a full week or a twin-centre at the end of the season, and gives more flexibility on departure days for villa and resort stays that run Saturday to Saturday.
For advisors
- Pitch April 2027 now: Easter falls on 28 March 2027, so the extra seats mainly serve the weeks after. Target couples, honeymooners and empty-nesters who want shoulder-season value.
- Sell Sailing Week early: the 21 to 25 April racing week is a peak week on the island. Secure accommodation and flights together.
- Quote premium cabins early: Club cabins on a single daily widebody are limited, so hold seats for April departures as soon as clients commit.
- Watch the summer schedule: five weekly flights from May to October means fewer departure days, so plan summer stays around BA’s operating days.