The service began on Sunday, according to reports, restoring a connection that was lost when the last direct route from Heathrow was cancelled six years ago. In 2019, Guernsey’s States launched a daily service between Guernsey and Heathrow, the first such link in over 20 years, according to reports. That 2019 route was subsidised by the States of Guernsey with £825,000 in funding before it ceased in March 2020, coinciding with Flybe’s collapse, according to reports.
The inaugural flight featured strong local connections among its crew, according to reports. The captain and four members of the cabin crew have roots in Guernsey or close family ties to the island, with the captain being a Guernseyman, according to reports. All but one of the cabin crew were born and bred on Guernsey; the odd one out was conferred with honorary citizenship of the island for the afternoon, according to reports.
The flight is operated by an Airbus A319, according to reports. Guernsey has long been connected with the world by its own airline, Aurigny, which offers multiple departures to Southampton, Gatwick, London City, and Manchester, according to reports. Aurigny offers a spread of six flights during the day to Gatwick, providing existing regional services that the new British Airways route now complements with direct Heathrow access, according to reports.
The route is expected to significantly boost the island’s tourism industry, according to reports. Jersey already has multiple daily flights to Heathrow, making the new service a competitive development for Guernsey, according to reports.
Connectivity advantages through Heathrow's global hub are a key feature of the service, according to reports. Within a couple of hours of arrival at Heathrow Terminal 5 from Guernsey, passengers can connect to New York, Los Angeles, Delhi, and Mumbai, enhancing international travel options for island residents and visitors, according to reports.
Several details about the launch remain unclear. The exact date of the Sunday when the service was launched has not been specified, and the number of passengers on the inaugural flight has not been confirmed. The projected annual passenger volume for this new route is unknown, and it is not disclosed what specific financial terms or subsidies, if any, are involved in this British Airways service. Additionally, how the £96 return fare compares to Aurigny's fares for similar routes has not been detailed.