[title]
Mark your travel calendars, and put in that annual leave. Trips from London to Australia’s culture capital are about to get a heck of a lot easier.
In January 2027, British Airways is launching brand-new flights from London Heathrow Airport straight to Melbourne — aka the city that Time Out just crowned best on the planet right now. In our 2026 ranking of the world’s greatest cities (sponsored by Intrepid) Time Out Melbourne editor Leah Glynn said about the place:
‘Melbourne’s coolest streets and neighbourhoods are filled with gems, from indie cinemas and rooftop bars to vinyl shops and quirky galleries.
‘And don’t let anyone tell you Melbourne is all personality over looks – we’ve got grand, heritage-listed buildings, laneways lined with colourful murals, world-class gardens and a river (the Yarra) that holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for local Indigenous communities.’
So, all the more reason to visit! BA’s new route starts on January 9 2027, so there’s still plenty of time to save up.
Now, while British Airways’ new LHR-MEL route is direct, it isn’t non-stop. Planes will make a pit-stop in Kuala Lumpur to refuel before taking off again for Down Under. It’s less time-consuming than getting a connecting flight.
Why Melbourne, why 2027?
Besides Melbourne being Time Out’s top city for food, arts and nightlife this year, it’s also hosting a sport-packed summer in 2027. Flights are perfectly timed for the Australian Open tennis tournament and the Australian Grand Prix. Right now, BA only has flights to Sydney, so adding a second Aussie destination is a pretty big deal.
According to a BA press release, with flight paths shifting with world politics, and the demand for long-haul travel staying sky-high, airlines are expanding routes. This new route is part of a wider long-haul expansion that’ll also see more flights to places like Cape Town, Tokyo and the Caribbean.
How much will British Airways flights from London to Melbourne cost?
Return fares are expected to start from around £1,100, depending on when you book. It’s not exactly a cheap holiday, but when you factor in that it’s an almost-direct, 20+ hour adventure in the sky to the opposite side of the planet, it’s not so bad either.
Did you see that the world’s longest flight will launch from London in 2027?
Plus: a new model of Lime Bike is launching in London this month.
Get the latest and greatest from the Big Smoke – from news and reviews to events and trends. Just follow our Time Out London WhatsApp channel.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out London newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.